ATL Telecom AM30 - Manual (Page 51)

ATL Telecom User Guide
AM30
5
1
Configuring Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol
You can configure your network and 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 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 used the Quick Start instructions, you 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
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 request an Internet session. 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.