Lan party: ip changer

hi,
very new programmer, not that great yet lol! Since setting up everyones computer at a lan can be a drag (since its just me who ends up doing everyones, then get asked weeks later why they cant get on their internet hehe)

what i want to do is create a program to change peoples ip adresses (remotely would be great, so i dont need to run it from everyones computer, if not oh well) it would need two procedures, change ip adress for the lan, and reset to previous (if else automatic)

what im trying to figure out is the best way to do it, since everytime it runs it would need to set a unique ip adress.

i was thinking of having a central database on my computer. This could then store their current settings for easy reverting later, and could also check for the next available ip adress.

Then when they pick to reset their settings at the end of the lan, if the database is unreachable then it simply uses automatic settings.

Where i stand: i have no idea about database integration in vb, or how to communicate over networks. Im not sure weather it would be best to use php and mysql or if vb would be better.
I dont want anyone to write it for me (wheres the fun in that :P) just huge pushes in the right direction would be appreciated, also any better ways you could see of doing this.

cheers guys! =]

You can't change an IP remotely if they 1) Are not on the network and 2) you don't know their IP address (how would you even connect to them)?

It sounds like when you have a LAN party you are setting everyones IP statically. I mean, going into their network settings and entering 192.168.0.xxx or whatever your mask is. You should consider setting up a DHCP server on your network that will automatically assign the IP addresses when they plug in their network cable. Then, when the users are done and go back to their dorm room, or house and plug into their network they automatically get their IP address back.

If you still want to make a program... Your program would need to be a desktop application that edits the registry and removes all of the network settings you made. Then execute a command 'ipconfig /release' then 'ipconfig /renew'. If their lease is up from their DHCP server they will receive a new IP address.