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8 Configuring Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol
You can configure your network and Ethernet Modem Router to use
the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). This chapter
provides an overview of DHCP and instructions for implementing it
on your network.
Overview of DHCP
What is DHCP?
DHCP is a protocol that enables network administrators to centrally
manage the assignment and distribution of IP information to
computers on a network.
When you enable DHCP on a network, you allow a device — such
as the Ethernet Modem Router or a router located with your ISP —
to assign temporary IP addresses to your computers whenever they
connect to your network. The assigning device is called a DHCP
server, and the receiving device is a DHCP client.
Note
If you followed the Quick Start instructions, you either configured
each LAN PC with an IP address, or you specified that it will
receive IP information dynamically (automatically). If you chose to
have the information assigned dynamically, then you configured
your PCs as DHCP clients that will accept IP addresses assigned
from a DCHP server such as the Ethernet Modem Router .
The DHCP server draws from a defined pool of IP addresses and
“leases” them for a specified amount of time to your computers
when they log onto the network. It monitors, collects, and
redistributes the addresses as needed.
On a DHCP-enabled network, the IP information is assigned
dynamically rather than statically. A DHCP client can be assigned a
different address from the pool each time it reconnects to the
network.
Why use DHCP?
DHCP allows you to manage and distribute IP addresses
throughout your network from a central computer. Without DHCP,
you would have to configure each computer separately with IP
addresses and related information. DHCP is commonly used with
large networks and those that are frequently expanded or otherwise
updated.
