diff --git a/Shorewall-docs2/standalone.xml b/Shorewall-docs2/standalone.xml
index e5c4461d6..71f297cdd 100644
--- a/Shorewall-docs2/standalone.xml
+++ b/Shorewall-docs2/standalone.xml
@@ -305,6 +305,13 @@ all            all                REJECT   info</programlisting>
   <section>
     <title>IP Addresses</title>
 
+    <para>Before going further, we should say a few words about IP Addresses.
+    Normally, your ISP will assign you a single IP address. That address can
+    be assigned statically, by the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP),
+    through the establishment of your dial-up connection, or during
+    establishment of your other type of PPP connection (PPPoA, PPPoE,
+    etc.).</para>
+
     <para>RFC 1918 reserves several <emphasis>Private</emphasis> IP address
     ranges for use in private networks:</para>