"Rogue" IP address?

Tech Tip: Click here to run a free scan for Windows Errors and optimize PC performance

I've tried without success to figure this out...perhaps one of you network
guru's can help.

I have four computers on my Windows 2000 home network connected by a switch
behind a firewall appliance. I can see all of the computers by their machine
name on NETWORK PLACES. I can ping them all from the command line using
their IP addresses. I can ping three of them from the command line using
their machine name. BUT, when I try to ping the fourth by it's machine name
(heather) I get the following message: Pinging heather.earthlink.net
[204.250.137.xxx] with 32 bytes of data: followed by four request timed out
messages. Earthlink is in fact my ISP.

Pinging the machines that work I get a slightly different message format:
Pinging ashley [192.168.1.xxx] with 32 bytes of data followed by four
successful ping responses.

On the machine that's not working, why does it respond with "earthlink.net
[204.250.137.xxx]" appended to the machine name...is that the expected
response format for a failed ping and more importantly where is that
204.250.137.xxx address coming from...that is a public address that I have
no idea what it is doing there and why it is being associated with an
internal machine.

Obviously this is not causing any real problems - the computer works
perfectly and communicates with the internet as it should - but I am at a
loss to explain it and since I'm trying to learn something about networks I
think I need to understand what is causing this situation.


I'd be most appreciative for any feedback.


--


<Smith&Wesson...the original point and click interface>




.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: View Workgroup Computers
    ... ping desktop ... The laptop, yes on IP, no on name. ... I have a small home network connected as follows: ... Both computers have a static IP address. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: Need Help with Browser/Name Resolution Problem
    ... >>> work until the computers can ping themselves and each other by IP ... >>uninstall it until the network is cleaned up. ... I made all the recommended changes, but they still cannot ping each other. ... Status for domain STUDYNET on transport ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: Lost peer computer on network
    ... I can ping other computers and get pinged. ... >computers on the network, but I verified that I can ping the router ... >4) `browstat status` from faulty system: ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: Cannot Access Computers on Home Network
    ... All 3 computers are running McAfee Security Center provided by Comcast. ... successfully ping using the IP addresses. ... You might not have permission to use the network resource. ... that supported ethernet and phone wire connectivity to a wireless router. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: Lost ability to connect to internet with cable/router
    ... But might not be on the network card/router. ... You would need to ping the ... > address, go to one of your computers that is working, type ... >>said that it was a windows problem. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)