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Set Up TCP/IP Networks

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Last updated on 5/15/23

Automate Assigning IP Addresses Using DHCP

Discover the advantages of dhcp servers.

In the previous part, we learned that an IP address identifies a device, so it can communicate across networks. Each device must have an IP address, which you have to configure before using it.

But I can access the internet without having configured my IP address! So does that mean I don’t need one to access the internet?

Not exactly. You still need an IP address! But there is a protocol for assigning IP addresses, DHCP , which automatically configures devices’ IP addresses. This means that you don’t have to do it!

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is a very useful mechanism in LANs, as it simplifies internet access for end-users. It configures the following:

The device IP address and mask.

The default gateway IP address. 

The DNS Server IP address. 

DHCP also allows the centralization of IP address distribution, which provides two advantages:

It avoids duplicate IP addresses.

It provides a visible list of IP addresses that have been assigned.

Understand DHCP in a Simple Architecture

Client-server configuration.

Like most protocols, DHCP operates based on the client-server model. It therefore needs:

A device that acts as a server.

One or several devices that act as client(s).

The server and client(s) are configured differently:

The server should be configured to:

Respond to client requests for an IP address.

Assign them an address for a set period of time.

Choose an address from a specified address range.

Clients should be configured to:

Automatically request an IP address when they are physically connected to a network.

Messages Between the Client and the Server

Once the devices are configured, this is how the client and server interact with each other:

The process generally follows four steps, which correspond to four messages:

1. DHCPDISCOVER : “Is anybody there to assign me an IP address?”

A client has just connected to the network. It sends a request to the whole network to see if a DHCP server can assign it an address.

At this stage, the only form of identification that the client has is its MAC address. The request is therefore sent to the whole network, with the client’s MAC address as the source address.

2. DHCPOFFER : “Here’s an IP address!”

The DHCP server receives the message and responds to the client, providing it with an IP address.

This message contains the IP address, and is sent to the client’s MAC address.

3. DHCPREQUEST : “OK, I’ll take this IP address. Can you save it, please?”

The client accepts the offer and asks the server to send a confirmation message with all the configuration parameters and save the assigned IP.

4. DHCPACK : “It’s saved!”

The server sends the confirmation message and updates its network table .

Understand the Network Table

In the network table, each IP address is associated with:

The MAC address of the device to which the IP was assigned.

The lease end date.

A lease end date? What’s that for?

The network table might look like this, for example:

Check Your DHCP Server Using the Command Prompt

If your computer or smartphone is connected to the internet, a server will have assigned you an IP address. You can check this in Windows by opening the command prompt and typing:

We can see in the image above:

The IP address assigned by the DHCP server.

The lease expiration date.

The IP address of the DHCP server.

Configure the DHCP Service in Packet Tracer

To add the DHCP service in a network, you need two things:

A DHCP server configured to assign IPs.

One or several clients configured to request IP addresses.

Here is a simple network architecture with a server and two clients. Let’s configure it together.

Configure the Server

To configure the server, first, choose the IP address of the network you’re going to use. In our case, we’re going to take the network 1.0.0.0/8.

Then, follow the different configuration steps:

Configure an IP address on the server. We can use 1.0.0.1, for example. 

Activate the DHCP service.

Configure the IP address range to assign to the devices. This is often known as an address pool . 

Configure the Client

To configure the client, all you need to do is select the option to obtain an IP address automatically.

We’ll go over these steps in the video below!

Add a DHCP Server to an Existing Network

Mr. Falman from Tinos driving school approaches you to work on a new project. The company he’s working with, Cyclades, is expanding, and its director wants the new users’ laptops to connect automatically to the network.

His employees need to be assigned an IP address automatically when they connect to the network. Two new employees equipped with laptops have already arrived, and recruitment is expected to continue.

Over to You!

Add a DHCP server to Cyclade’s architecture with an IP address of 192.168.100.250/24.

Add two laptops to the network.

Configure the DHCP server correctly.

The network you’re going to use is 192.168.100.0/24, but don’t forget that the two desktop computers already have an IP address on this network (192.168.100.1 and 192.168.100.2). We don’t want to change the configuration of these two devices.

Configure the mobile clients.

Check that the two mobile clients have been assigned an IP address.

You can find the answer sheet here and watch the video below to check your work.

You might have noticed that in the DHCP server configuration window, you can enter:

The IP address range to assign to clients.

The default gateway. 

The DNS server.

We’ve left the “DNS server” field empty, as we don’t have one in our network. But we’re going to tackle this subject in the next chapter!

Let’s Recap!

All devices need an IP address to communicate.

The DHCP protocol allows IP addresses to be automatically distributed: a client requests an IP address on the network. The server then responds by sending the client a valid IP address.

To configure DHCP correctly, you need to:

Specify the IP address range which the DHCP server can distribute.

Let the client know that the IP configuration will be done automatically.

Now you know how to automate IP address distribution using a DHCP server! In the last chapter of this course, we’ll see how to make it easier to identify your devices.

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Static and dynamic IP address configurations: DHCP deployment

%t min read | by Damon Garn

In my Static and dynamic IP address configurations for DHCP article, I discussed the pros and cons of static versus dynamic IP address allocation. Typically, sysadmins will manually configure servers and network devices (routers, switches, firewalls, etc.) with static IP address configurations. These addresses don’t change (unless the administrator changes them), which is important for making services easy to find on the network.

With dynamic IP configurations, client devices lease an IP configuration from a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server. This server is configured with a pool of available IPs and other settings. Clients contact the server and temporarily borrow an IP address configuration.

In this article, I demonstrate how to configure DHCP on a Linux server.

[ You might also like:  Using systemd features to secure services ]

Manage the DHCP service

First, install the DHCP service on your selected Linux box. This box should have a static IP address. DHCP is a very lightweight service, so feel free to co-locate other services such as name resolution on the same device.

Note : By using the -y option, yum will automatically install any dependencies necessary.

Configure a DHCP scope

Next, edit the DHCP configuration file to set the scope. However, before this step, you should make certain you understand the addressing scheme in your network segment. In my courses, I recommend establishing the entire range of addresses, then identifying the static IPs within the range. Next, determine the remaining IPs that are available for DHCP clients to lease. The following information details this process.

How many static IP addresses?

Figure out how many servers, routers, switches, printers, and other network devices will require static IP addresses. Add some additional addresses to this group to account for network growth (it seems like we’re always deploying more print devices).

What are the static and dynamic IP address ranges?

Set the range of static IPs in a distinct group. I like to use the front of the available address range. For example, in a simple Class C network of 192.168.2.0/24, I might set aside 192.168.2.1 through 192.168.2.50 for static IPs. If that’s true, you may assume I have about 30 devices that merit static IP addresses, and I have left about twenty addresses to grow into. Therefore, the available address space for DHCP is 192.168.2.51 through 192.168.2.254 (remember, 192.168.2.255 is the subnet broadcast address).

This screenshot from the part one article is a reminder:

Note : Some administrators include the static IPs in the scope and then manually mark them as excluded or unavailable to the DHCP service for leasing. I’m not a fan of this approach. I prefer that the DHCP not even be aware of the addresses that are statically assigned.

What is the router’s IP address?

Document the router’s IP address because this will be the default gateway value. Administrators tend to choose either the first or the last address in the static range. In my case, I’d configure the router’s IP address as 192.168.2.1/24, so the default gateway value in DHCP is 192.168.2.1.

Where are the name servers?

Name resolution is a critical network service. You should configure clients for at least two DNS name servers for fault tolerance. When set manually, this configuration is in the /etc/resolv.conf file.

Note that the DNS name servers don’t have to be on the same subnet as the DNS clients.

Lease duration

In the next section, I’ll go over the lease generation process whereby clients receive their IP address configurations. For now, suffice it to say that the IP address configuration is temporary. Two values are configured on the DHCP server to govern this lease time:

default-lease-time - How long the lease is valid before renewal attempts begin.

max-lease-time - The point at which the IP address configuration is no longer valid and the client is no longer considered a lease-holder.

Configure the DHCP server

Now that you understand the IP address assignments in the subnet, you can configure the DHCP scope. The scope is the range of available IP addresses, as well as options such as default gateway. There is good documentation here .

Create the DHCP scope

Begin by editing the dhcp.conf configuration file (you’ll need root privileges to do so). I prefer Vim :

Next, add the values you identified in the previous section. Here is a subnet declaration (scope):

Remember, that spelling counts and typos can cause you a lot of trouble. Check your entries carefully. A mistake in this file can prevent many workstations from having valid network identities.

Reserved IP addresses

It is possible to reserve an IP address for a specific host. This is not the same thing as a statically-assigned IP address. Static IP addresses are configured manually, directly on the client. Reserved IP addresses are leased from the DHCP server, but the given client will always receive the same IP address. The DHCP service identifies the client by MAC address, as seen below.

Start the DHCP service

Start and enable the DHCP service. RHEL 7 and 8 rely on systemd to manage services, so you’ll type the following commands:

See this article I wrote for a summary on successfully deploying services.

Don’t forget to open the DHCP port in the firewall:

Explore the DORA process

Now that the DHCP server is configured, here is the lease generation process. This is a four-step process, and I like to point out that it is entirely initiated and managed by the client, not the server. DHCP is a very passive network service.

The process is:

• Acknowledge

Which spells the acronym DORA .

• The client broadcasts a DHCPDiscover message on the subnet, which the DHCP server hears.
• The DHCP server broadcasts a DHCPOffer on the subnet, which the client hears.
• The client broadcasts a DHCPRequest message, formally requesting the use of the IP address configuration.
• The DHCP server broadcasts a DHCPAck message that confirms the lease.

The lease must be renewed periodically, based on the DHCP Lease Time setting. This is particularly important in today’s networks that often contain many transient devices such as laptops, tablets, and phones. The lease renewal process is steps three and four. Many client devices, especially desktops, will maintain their IP address settings for a very long time, renewing the configuration over and over.

Updating the IP address configuration

You may need to obtain a new IP address configuration with updated settings. This can be an important part of network troubleshooting.

Manually generate a new lease with nmcli

You can manually force the lease generation process by using the nmcli command. You must know the connection name and then down and up the card.

Manually force lease generation with dhclient

You can also use the dhclient command to generate a new DHCP lease manually. Here are the commands:

dhclient -r to release it

dhclient (no option) to lease a new one

dhclient -r eth0 for specific NIC

Note : use -v for verbose output

Remember, if the client’s IP address is 169.254.x.x, it could not lease an IP address from the DHCP server.

Other DHCP considerations

There are many ways to customize DHCP to suit your needs. This article only covers the most common options. Two settings to keep in mind are lease times and dealing with routers.

Managing lease times

There is a good trick to be aware of. Use short lease durations on networks with many portable devices or virtual machines that come and go quickly from the network. These short leases will allow IP addresses to be recycled regularly. Use longer durations on unchanging networks (such as a subnet containing mostly desktop computers). In theory, the longer durations reduced network traffic by requiring fewer renewals, but on today’s networks, that traffic is inconsequential.

Routers and DHCP

There is one other aspect of DHCP design to consider. The DORA process covered above occurs entirely by broadcast. Routers, as a general rule, are configured to stop broadcasts. That’s just part of what they do. There are three approaches you can take to managing this problem:

• Place a DHCP server on each subnet (no routers between the DHCP server and its clients).
• Place a DHCP relay agent on each subnet that sends DHCP lease generation traffic via unicast to the DHCP server on a different subnet.
• Use RFC 1542-compliant routers, which can be configured to recognize and pass DHCP broadcast traffic.

[ Getting started with containers? Check out this free course. Deploying containerized applications: A technical overview . ]

DHCP is a simple service but an absolutely critical one. Understanding the lease generation process helps with network troubleshooting. Proper planning and tracking are essential to ensuring you don’t permit duplicate IP address problems to enter your network environment.

Damon Garn owns Cogspinner Coaction, LLC, a technical writing, editing, and IT project company based in Colorado Springs, CO. Damon authored many CompTIA Official Instructor and Student Guides (Linux+, Cloud+, Cloud Essentials+, Server+) and developed a broad library of interactive, scored labs. He regularly contributes to Enable Sysadmin, SearchNetworking, and CompTIA article repositories. Damon has 20 years of experience as a technical trainer covering Linux, Windows Server, and security content. He is a former sysadmin for US Figure Skating. He lives in Colorado Springs with his family and is a writer, musician, and amateur genealogist. More about me

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• Network infrastructure

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)

• Alexander S. Gillis, Technical Writer and Editor

What is DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)?

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is a network management protocol used to dynamically assign an IP address to any device, or  node , on a network so it can communicate using IP. DHCP automates and centrally manages these configurations rather than requiring network administrators to manually assign IP addresses to all network devices. DHCP can be implemented on small local networks, as well as large enterprise networks.

DHCP assigns new IP addresses in each location when devices are moved from place to place, which means network administrators do not have to manually configure each device with a valid IP address or reconfigure the device with a new IP address if it moves to a new location on the network.

Versions of DHCP are available for use in IP version 4 ( IPv4 ) and IP version 6 ( IPv6 ). IPv6 became an industry standard in 2017 -- nearly 20 years after its specifications were first published. While the adoption rate of IPv6 was slow, more than 29% of Google users were making inquiries using IPv6 by July 2019.

How DHCP works

DHCP runs at the application layer of the TCP/IP stack. It dynamically assigns IP addresses to DHCP clients and allocates TCP/IP configuration information to DHCP clients. This information includes  subnet  mask information, default gateway IP addresses and domain name system ( DNS ) addresses.

DHCP is a client-server protocol in which servers manage a pool of unique IP addresses, as well as information about client configuration parameters. The servers then assign addresses out of those address pools. DHCP-enabled clients send a request to the DHCP server whenever they connect to a network.

Clients configured with DHCP broadcast a request to the DHCP server and request network configuration information for the local network to which they're attached. A client typically broadcasts a query for this information immediately after booting up. The DHCP server responds to the client request by providing IP configuration information previously specified by a network administrator. This includes a specific IP address, as well as a time period -- also called a  lease  -- for which the allocation is valid.

When refreshing an address assignment, a DHCP client requests the same parameters, but the DHCP server may assign a new IP address based on policies set by administrators. DHCP clients can also be configured on an Ethernet interface.

A DHCP server manages a record of all the IP addresses it allocates to network nodes. If a node is relocated in the network, the server identifies it using its media access control ( MAC ) address, which prevents the accidental configuration of multiple devices with the same IP address. Configuring a DHCP server also requires the creation of a configuration file, which stores network information for clients.

DHCP is not a routable protocol, nor is it a secure one. DHCP is limited to a specific  local area network , which means a single DHCP server per LAN is adequate -- or two servers for use in case of a failover. Larger networks might have a wide area network ( WAN ) that contains multiple individual locations. Depending on the connections between these points and the number of clients in each location, multiple DHCP servers can be set up to handle the distribution of addresses.

If network administrators want a DHCP server to provide addressing to multiple subnets on a given network, they must configure DHCP relay services located on interconnecting routers that DHCP requests have to cross. These agents relay messages between DHCP clients and servers located on different subnets.

DHCP lacks any built-in mechanism that enables clients and servers to authenticate each other. Both are vulnerable to deception -- one computer pretending to be another -- and to attack, where rogue clients can exhaust a DHCP server's IP address pool.

When managing many DHCP servers or DHCP servers in a WAN, users can work with a command line. Users should also be aware that starting, stopping and restarting affects the running of the daemon.

Components of DHCP

DHCP is made up of numerous components, such as the DHCP server, client and relay.

The DHCP server -- typically either a server or router -- is a networked device that runs on the DHCP service. The DHCP server holds IP addresses, as well as related information pertaining to configuration.

The DHCP client is a device -- such as a computer or phone -- that connects to a network and communicates with a DHCP server.

The DHCP relay manages requests between DHCP clients and servers. Typically, relays are used when an organization has to handle large or complex networks.

Other components include the IP address pool, subnet, lease and DHCP communications protocol.

Static vs. dynamic DHCP leases

With dynamic DHCP, a client does not own the IP address assigned to it but instead  leases  it for a period of time. Each time a device with a dynamic IP address is powered up, it must communicate with the DHCP server to lease another IP address. Wireless devices are examples of clients that are assigned dynamic IP addresses when they connect to a network.

On the other hand, static devices -- such as web servers and switches -- are assigned permanent IP addresses.

Under a dynamic DHCP setup, a client might also have to perform certain activities that lead to terminating its IP address and then reconnecting to the network using a different IP address. DHCP lease times can vary depending on how long a user is likely to need an internet connection at a particular location. Devices release their IP addresses when their DHCP leases expire and then request a renewal from the DHCP server if they are staying online. The DHCP server may assign a new address rather than renewing an old one.

The typical dynamic DHCP lease cycle is as follows:

• A client acquires an IP address lease through the allocation process of requesting one from the DHCP server.
• If a client already has an IP address from an existing lease, it needs to refresh its IP address when it reboots after being shut down and contact the DHCP server to have an IP address reallocated.
• Once a lease is active, the client is bound to the lease and to the address.
• Once the lease has expired, a client contacts the server that initially granted the lease to renew it so it can keep using its IP address.
• If a client is moving to a different network, its dynamic IP address is terminated, and it requests a new IP address from the DHCP server of the new network.

DHCP uses and functions

DHCP is used to distribute IP addresses within a network and to configure the proper subnet mask, default gateway and DNS server information on the device.

DHCP, including Request for Comments (RFC) 8415 -- the draft version released in November 2018 -- can also be used by ordinary electronic devices whose manufacturers want them to be part of the internet of things ( IoT ). DHCP is one method of connecting devices -- such as refrigerators and lawn sprinkler systems -- to the internet using a Manufacturer Usage Description (MUD), suggested by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).

Pros and cons of DHCP

DHCP makes it easier for network administrators to add or move devices within a network, whether it be a LAN or WAN. But DHCP is not inherently secure, and if malicious actors access the DHCP server, they can wreak havoc. Also, if the DHCP server does not have a backup and the server fails, so do the devices served by it.

DHCP security

One of the key vulnerabilities of DHCP has been the use of so-called man in the middle ( MitM ) attacks, in which an attacker secretly intercepts and relays messages between two parties who believe they are communicating directly with each other.

DHCP servers have also been the subject of multiple memory corruption vulnerabilities. In these, attackers have targeted the Windows DHCP Server service. When successful, the attacks can lead to a full compromise of Microsoft Active Directory (AD). One such vulnerability, patched by Microsoft, was the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE)-2019-0725 Windows DHCP Server Remote Code Execution (RCE) Vulnerability.

History of DHCP

DHCP is an extension of a 1985 network IP management protocol, Bootstrap Protocol ( BOOTP ). DHCP is more advanced, and DHCP servers can handle BOOTP client requests if any BOOTP clients exist on a network segment.

Using one central BOOTP server to serve hosts on many IP subnets, BOOTP introduced the concept of a relay agent that enabled BOOTP packets to be forwarded across networks. BOOTP required a manual process to add configuration information for each client, however, and did not provide a mechanism for reclaiming IP addresses no longer in use.

Editor's note: This definition was republished to improve reader experience.

Continue Reading About DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)

• DHCP client configuration for Linux, Windows and macOS
• 12 common network protocols and their functions explained
• Static IP vs. dynamic IP addresses: What's the difference?
• Brief introduction: DHCP and DNS

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Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA)

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Understanding IP Address Assignment: A Complete Guide

Introduction

In today's interconnected world, where almost every aspect of our lives relies on the internet, understanding IP address assignment is crucial for ensuring online security and efficient network management. An IP address serves as a unique identifier for devices connected to a network, allowing them to communicate with each other and access the vast resources available on the internet. Whether you're a technical professional, a network administrator, or simply an internet user, having a solid grasp of how IP addresses are assigned within the same network can greatly enhance your ability to troubleshoot connectivity issues and protect your data.

The Basics of IP Addresses

Before delving into the intricacies of IP address assignment in the same network, it's important to have a basic understanding of what an IP address is. In simple terms, an IP address is a numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. It consists of four sets of numbers separated by periods (e.g., 192.168.0.1) and can be either IPv4 or IPv6 format.

IP Address Allocation Methods

There are several methods used for allocating IP addresses within a network. One commonly used method is Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). DHCP allows devices to obtain an IP address automatically from a central server, simplifying the process of managing large networks. Another method is static IP address assignment, where an administrator manually assigns specific addresses to devices within the network. This method provides more control but requires careful planning and documentation.

Considerations for Efficient IP Address Allocation

Efficient allocation of IP addresses is essential for optimizing network performance and avoiding conflicts. When assigning IP addresses, administrators need to consider factors such as subnetting, addressing schemes, and future scalability requirements. By carefully planning the allocation process and implementing best practices such as using private IP ranges and avoiding overlapping subnets, administrators can ensure smooth operation of their networks without running out of available addresses.

IP Address Assignment in the Same Network

When two routers are connected within the same network, they need to obtain unique IP addresses to communicate effectively. This can be achieved through various methods, such as using different subnets or configuring one router as a DHCP server and the other as a client. Understanding how IP address assignment works in this scenario is crucial for maintaining proper network functionality and avoiding conflicts.

Basics of IP Addresses

IP addresses are a fundamental aspect of computer networking that allows devices to communicate with each other over the internet. An IP address, short for Internet Protocol address, is a unique numerical label assigned to each device connected to a network. It serves as an identifier for both the source and destination of data packets transmitted across the network.

The structure of an IP address consists of four sets of numbers separated by periods (e.g., 192.168.0.1). Each set can range from 0 to 255, resulting in a total of approximately 4.3 billion possible unique combinations for IPv4 addresses. However, with the increasing number of devices connected to the internet, IPv6 addresses were introduced to provide a significantly larger pool of available addresses.

IPv4 addresses are still predominantly used today and are divided into different classes based on their range and purpose. Class A addresses have the first octet reserved for network identification, allowing for a large number of hosts within each network. Class B addresses reserve the first two octets for network identification and provide a balance between network size and number of hosts per network. Class C addresses allocate the first three octets for network identification and are commonly used in small networks.

With the depletion of available IPv4 addresses, IPv6 was developed to overcome this limitation by utilizing 128-bit addressing scheme, providing an enormous pool of potential IP addresses - approximately 3.4 x 10^38 unique combinations.

IPv6 addresses are represented in hexadecimal format separated by colons (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334). The longer length allows for more efficient routing and eliminates the need for Network Address Translation (NAT) due to its vast address space.

Understanding these basics is essential when it comes to assigning IP addresses in a network. Network administrators must consider various factors such as the number of devices, network topology, and security requirements when deciding on the IP address allocation method.

In the next section, we will explore different methods of IP address assignment, including Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and static IP address assignment. These methods play a crucial role in efficiently managing IP addresses within a network and ensuring seamless communication between devices.

Methods of IP Address Assignment

IP address assignment is a crucial aspect of network management and plays a vital role in ensuring seamless connectivity and efficient data transfer. There are primarily two methods of assigning IP addresses in a network: dynamic IP address assignment using the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and static IP address assignment.

Dynamic IP Address Assignment using DHCP

Dynamic IP address assignment is the most commonly used method in modern networks. It involves the use of DHCP servers, which dynamically allocate IP addresses to devices on the network. When a device connects to the network, it sends a DHCP request to the DHCP server, which responds by assigning an available IP address from its pool.

One of the key benefits of dynamic IP address assignment is its simplicity and scalability. With dynamic allocation, network administrators don't have to manually configure each device's IP address. Instead, they can rely on the DHCP server to handle this task automatically. This significantly reduces administrative overhead and makes it easier to manage large networks with numerous devices.

Another advantage of dynamic allocation is that it allows for efficient utilization of available IP addresses. Since addresses are assigned on-demand, there is no wastage of unused addresses. This is particularly beneficial in scenarios where devices frequently connect and disconnect from the network, such as in public Wi-Fi hotspots or corporate environments with a high turnover rate.

However, dynamic allocation does have some drawbacks as well. One potential issue is that devices may receive different IP addresses each time they connect to the network. While this might not be an issue for most users, it can cause problems for certain applications or services that rely on consistent addressing.

Additionally, dynamic allocation introduces a dependency on the DHCP server. If the server goes down or becomes unreachable, devices will not be able to obtain an IP address and will be unable to connect to the network. To mitigate this risk, redundant DHCP servers can be deployed for high availability.

Static IP Address Assignment

Static IP address assignment involves manually configuring each device's IP address within the network. Unlike dynamic allocation, where addresses are assigned on-demand, static assignment requires administrators to assign a specific IP address to each device.

One of the main advantages of static IP address assignment is stability. Since devices have fixed addresses, there is no risk of them receiving different addresses each time they connect to the network. This can be beneficial for applications or services that require consistent addressing, such as servers hosting websites or databases.

Static assignment also provides greater control over network resources. Administrators can allocate specific IP addresses to devices based on their requirements or security considerations. For example, critical servers or network infrastructure devices can be assigned static addresses to ensure their availability and ease of management.

However, static IP address assignment has its limitations as well. It can be time-consuming and error-prone, especially in large networks with numerous devices. Any changes to the network topology or addition/removal of devices may require manual reconfiguration of IP addresses, which can be a tedious task.

Furthermore, static allocation can lead to inefficient utilization of available IP addresses. Each device is assigned a fixed address regardless of whether it is actively using the network or not. This can result in wastage of unused addresses and may pose challenges in scenarios where addressing space is limited.

In order to efficiently allocate IP addresses within a network, there are several important considerations that need to be taken into account. By carefully planning and managing the allocation process, network administrators can optimize their IP address usage and ensure smooth operation of their network.

One of the key factors to consider when assigning IP addresses is the size of the network. The number of devices that will be connected to the network determines the range of IP addresses that will be required. It is essential to accurately estimate the number of devices that will need an IP address in order to avoid running out of available addresses or wasting them unnecessarily.

Another consideration is the type of devices that will be connected to the network. Different devices have different requirements in terms of IP address assignment. For example, servers and other critical infrastructure typically require static IP addresses for stability and ease of access. On the other hand, client devices such as laptops and smartphones can often use dynamic IP addresses assigned by a DHCP server.

The physical layout of the network is also an important factor to consider. In larger networks with multiple subnets or VLANs, it may be necessary to segment IP address ranges accordingly. This allows for better organization and management of IP addresses, making it easier to troubleshoot issues and implement security measures.

Security is another crucial consideration when allocating IP addresses. Network administrators should implement measures such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems to protect against unauthorized access or malicious activities. Additionally, assigning unique IP addresses to each device enables better tracking and monitoring, facilitating quick identification and response in case of any security incidents.

Efficient utilization of IP address ranges can also be achieved through proper documentation and record-keeping. Maintaining an up-to-date inventory of all assigned IP addresses helps prevent conflicts or duplicate assignments. It also aids in identifying unused or underutilized portions of the address space, allowing for more efficient allocation in the future.

Furthermore, considering future growth and scalability is essential when allocating IP addresses. Network administrators should plan for potential expansion and allocate IP address ranges accordingly. This foresight ensures that there will be sufficient addresses available to accommodate new devices or additional network segments without disrupting the existing infrastructure.

In any network, the assignment of IP addresses is a crucial aspect that allows devices to communicate with each other effectively. When it comes to IP address assignment in the same network, there are specific considerations and methods to ensure efficient allocation. In this section, we will delve into how two routers in the same network obtain IP addresses and discuss subnetting and IP address range distribution.

To understand how two routers in the same network obtain IP addresses, it's essential to grasp the concept of subnetting. Subnetting involves dividing a larger network into smaller subnetworks or subnets. Each subnet has its own unique range of IP addresses that can be assigned to devices within that particular subnet. This division helps manage and organize large networks efficiently.

When it comes to assigning IP addresses within a subnet, there are various methods available. One common method is manual or static IP address assignment. In this approach, network administrators manually assign a specific IP address to each device within the network. Static IP addresses are typically used for devices that require consistent connectivity and need to be easily identifiable on the network.

Another widely used method for IP address assignment is Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). DHCP is a networking protocol that enables automatic allocation of IP addresses within a network. With DHCP, a server is responsible for assigning IP addresses dynamically as devices connect to the network. This dynamic allocation ensures efficient utilization of available IP addresses by temporarily assigning them to connected devices when needed.

When considering efficient allocation of IP addresses in the same network, several factors come into play. One important consideration is proper planning and design of subnets based on anticipated device count and future growth projections. By carefully analyzing these factors, administrators can allocate appropriate ranges of IP addresses for each subnet, minimizing wastage and ensuring scalability.

Additionally, implementing proper security measures is crucial when assigning IP addresses in the same network. Network administrators should consider implementing firewalls, access control lists (ACLs), and other security mechanisms to protect against unauthorized access and potential IP address conflicts.

Furthermore, monitoring and managing IP address usage is essential for efficient allocation. Regular audits can help identify any unused or underutilized IP addresses that can be reclaimed and allocated to devices as needed. This proactive approach ensures that IP addresses are utilized optimally within the network.

The proper assignment of IP addresses is crucial for maintaining network security and efficiency. Throughout this guide, we have covered the basics of IP addresses, explored different methods of IP address assignment, and discussed considerations for efficient allocation.

In conclusion, understanding IP address assignment in the same network is essential for network administrators and technical professionals. By following proper allocation methods such as DHCP or static IP assignment, organizations can ensure that each device on their network has a unique identifier. This not only enables effective communication and data transfer but also enhances network security by preventing unauthorized access.

Moreover, considering factors like subnetting, scalability, and future growth can help optimize IP address allocation within a network. Network administrators should carefully plan and allocate IP addresses to avoid conflicts or wastage of resources.

Overall, a well-managed IP address assignment process is vital for the smooth functioning of any network. It allows devices to connect seamlessly while ensuring security measures are in place. By adhering to best practices and staying updated with advancements in networking technology, organizations can effectively manage their IP address assignments.

In conclusion, this guide has provided a comprehensive overview of IP address assignment in the same network. We hope it has equipped you with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions regarding your network's IP address allocation. Remember that proper IP address assignment is not only important for connectivity but also plays a significant role in maintaining online security and optimizing network performance.

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Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP): Explained

DHCP the protocol that enables automatic assignment of IP addresses to hosts on a network

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For a device to be able to communicate with other devices (on LAN and Internet) it needs to have an IP Address. IP addresses are unique numeric identifiers that are used to identify devices on a network.

IP addresses based on how they are assigned are classified into two types:

Static IP addresses are assigned manually to hosts by the network administrator. While assigning IPs manually on a small network is achievable, it is practically impossible to do so on a network that contains hundreds of devices. The network administrator also needs to ensure that the IP addresses that are being configured are unique and they do not overlap with other hosts.

Dynamic IP addresses are assigned automatically to hosts on the network by the DHCP server. The DHCP server provides IP addresses from its pool of IP addresses. Any additional network configuration that could be required by the host can also be set using DHCP.

The process of assigning static IP addresses does not scale well on large networks. An automated method to assign IP addresses was required. To enable rapid IP address deployment DHCP was created.

DHCP Protocol

DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. DHCP enables the automatic assignment of unique IP addresses to hosts on the network. It can also automatically set up other network-related details like Subnet Mask, Default Gateway and DNS address for the host. DHCP is responsible for network-related configuration management and automatic assignment of IP addresses for devices on a network.

DHCP Architecture

DHCP utilizes the client-server model. The DHCP client is pre-installed on all devices that can connect to the internet (laptops, printers, VoIP phones). DHCP uses UDP for communication. The client runs on port 68 while the server runs on port 67. The DHCP server can be installed on a dedicated server (commonly found on Enterprise networks). It is also available as a built-in service on router/SOHO devices (Home network).

DHCP server can also be set up behind a relay agent (Fig. 1 & 3). The relay agent is a device that forwards DHCP requests to the DHCP server. Some routers support being set up as DHCP relay agents as well. DHCP packets are always broadcasted over the network. Broadcast packets cannot travel from one network to another (cannot cross the router). By utilizing a relay agent we can overcome this limitation. Using the relay agent setup a single DHCP server can manage the assignment of IP addresses for hosts on multiple networks (Fig. 1).

The IP addresses that are assigned to hosts are assigned from the DHCP scope. The DHCP scope is the range of IP addresses that have been configured on the DHCP server to be handed out to devices on the network. DHCP scope is also referred to as the IP Address Pool.

The IP addresses that are assigned to hosts by the DHCP server are not permanent. They are leased by the host from the DHCP server for a short duration.

Consider a network with a DHCP server and three hosts. The DHCP scope has been configured to contain three IP addresses (10.0.1.2, 10.0.1.3 and 10.0.1.4). Instead of leasing out IP addresses the DHCP server permanently assigns IP addresses to devices. When there are only three hosts on the network everything functions normally.

Now assume one of the devices on the network had to be taken offline and in its place a new host was introduced into the network.

The DHCP server will not be able to assign an IP address to the new device as its scope does not have any free IP Address. If the device that was taken offline had freed its IP Address the new device would have received an IP Address. Using permanent IP addresses can cause the DHCP server IP address pool to get depleted. To prevent running into this situation DHCP servers always lease IP addresses.

DHCP server keeps track of the IP addresses that it has leased along with the lease period of the address. Before the lease period of an IP address expires the host can make a lease renewal request to the DHCP server to continue using the IP Address. If the lease period for an IP address expires and the host that was using the address does not make a lease renewal request the IP address is taken away from the host and added back into the IP address pool. Similarly, when a host is rebooted or when the network interface of the host is restarted/rebooted the IP address is taken away.

Reservations

If we want a host to be assigned the same IP address every time, we can create a reservation for that IP address in the DHCP server. A reservation will prevent the IP address from being leased out to other devices. Reservations are mapped using the MAC address of the device. Reservations are generally created for special devices on the network like printers, routers, and servers.

DORA Process

The DORA process is used to assign an IP Address to a host that does not have an IP Address.

Step1: DHCP Discover

When a host connects to a network for the first time it will not have an IP address. Its address will show up as 0.0.0.0 . It will also not have details like Subnet Mask, Default Gateway and DNS address configured. The host sends out a DHCP Discover broadcast message to locate the DHCP server on the network.

If the device was connected to the network previously, in the broadcast message sent to the DHCP server an extra field is included. This field contains the IP address that was previously assigned to the host. The host includes this field to find out from the DHCP server if it can be assigned the same IP address again.

Step 2: DHCP Offer

The DHCP server sends an offer for an IP to the requesting client. If more than one offer is received by the host, the host will choose the first offer that it receives.

A host receives more than one offer when there are multiple DHCP servers present on the network.

Step 3: DHCP Request

On receiving the DHCP offer message the host broadcasts an ARP packet on the network. This is done to ensure that no other host on the network is using the IP Address that was offered by the DHCP server. Only when no response for the ARP packet is received does the host reply to the message from the DHCP server indicating it would like to use the IP Address.

If the host receives a response for the ARP request it indicates that the host has been offered a duplicate IP address. In this scenario, the client declines the offer using the DHCP Decline message and starts the DORA process all over again.

Even though the DHCP server keeps track of all the addresses that it hands out, it is still possible for IP address collisions to occur. The network could contain devices that use static IP addresses that fall in the same range as the DHCP server IP pool. The DHCP server could crash which would result in the DHCP IP address mapping getting cleared. It’s also possible that the IP address has already been given to a device on the network by another DHCP server running on the same network. To counter these edge cases the device being offered the IP address makes an ARP request to ensure that no device on the network is using the same IP address.

Step 4: DHCP Acknowledgment

The DHCP server then sends the IP Address to the client along with other network properties that are needed by the host to communicate on the network and access the internet.

If the DHCP server is set up behind a relay agent, the request messages from the client are sent to the relay agent as a broadcast, the relay agent then forwards the message as an unicast packet to the DHCP server. Similarly, the responses from the DHCP server are sent to the relay agent as an Unicast message and the relay agent then broadcasts the message on the interface on which it received the original request.

Renewal Process

Both the packet used in the renewal process is sent using Unicast.

Step 1: DHCP Request

When half of the lease period has passed the host initiates a DHCP renewal request. The host sends its current IP address along with its network configuration parameters to the DHCP Server.

Step 2: DHCP Acknowledgment

If the DHCP server accepts the renewal request it sends back an acknowledgment packet to the host. If the DHCP server does not accept the Renewal request the host can continue using the IP address until the lease period is active. If the lease period expires and the host still wants to access the internet it has to perform the entire DORA process to get a new IP address.

Release Process

When the host is done using the IP address it can release its IP address using the DHCP Release message. In this message, the IP address that needs to be reclaimed by the DHCP server is specified. Unicast communication is used for sending the packet.

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What is DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)?

Servers and clients use Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol to automatically assign IP addresses within a network.

The answer to “What is DHCP?” is that it’s the standard mechanism to dynamically assign IP addresses within a network. It stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.

IP, or Internet Protocol, addressing is a logical means of assigning addresses to devices on a network. Each device connected to a network requires a unique IP address.

At home, dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) assigns IP addresses to your smartphones, laptops, tablets, and devices like doorbell cameras. When you use wifi on your home network, typically your router is a DHCP server.

In a large enterprise setting, a DHCP server is usually a dedicated computer. By simplifying IP address management, it saves money, is more secure, and doesn’t eat up valuable admin time.

In this glossary entry, we’ll explore the fundamentals of how DHCP works. Then, we’ll take a deeper look at two aspects: dynamic addressing and the communications protocol.

How does DHCP work?

DHCP is a network management protocol. A client device (or DHCP client), such as a laptop, joins a network and requests an IP address. The request is made to a DHCP server.

These servers are often configured with redundancy—often called DHCP failover —or clustering among other network servers. Servers can run on both IPv4 and IPv6 networks.

The server will quickly and automatically assign an IP address and some related network configuration parameters. Once the device has accepted the assignment, it can communicate with both the internal network and the public internet.

Relevant parameters

In addition to assigning IP addresses, these servers also provide relevant parameters, known as DHCP options. The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), the global coordinator of IP addresses, defines available DHCP parameters .

Options number in the hundreds. Key among them is how long the IP address can be used—known as the lease time. They also include the default gateway, its subnet mask, and its DNS server.

Some additional definitions

To clarify, let’s quickly define some of these terms we just mentioned:

• A default gateway transfers data back and forth between the local network and the internet, or between local subnets.
• IP networking uses a subnet mask to separate the host address and the network address portions of an IP address.
• A DNS server resolves names to IP addresses, translating domain names that we easily remember, like bluecatnetworks.com, into IP addresses like 104.239.197.100.

Dynamic IP addressing with DHCP

The assignment of IP addresses happens dynamically within a given address range. As a result, a device connected to the network doesn’t have a forever address. The IP address can periodically change as its lease time expires unless the lease is successfully renewed.

For services that always need to be on, a static IP address is often a better option. Corporate enterprises commonly use static IP addresses for hardware like mail servers. Certainly, a DHCP server should have a static IP address.

However, there are drawbacks to dedicating a specific IP address to a device or service. A network administrator must manually assign, configure, and track the IP address. It’s a time-consuming task. Oftentimes, it requires the admin to physically be with the device.

Meanwhile, dynamic IP addresses are usually the preferred choice because they:

• Cost less to manage than static IP addresses;
• May offer more privacy and security with a constantly changing IP address; and
• Don’t require manual administration when a device roams from one subnet to another.

DHCP communications protocol

Communications to fulfill a DHCP request involves both the server and client. Furthermore, a relay agent or IP helper often facilitates communication between the two. Relay agents receive broadcast DHCP messages from clients and then re-send those messages with configuration information to servers.

Communication happens via small units of data, called packets, that are routed through a network. Networking protocols like IP govern all its rules.

Most of the time, communication occurs in four steps. Briefly, they are:

• A discover packet is sent from the client to the server.
• The server replies to the client with a DHCP offer packet containing an IP address.
• The client receives and validates the offer, then sends a request packet back to the server to accept the address.
• The server sends an acknowledgement packet back to the client to confirm the chosen IP address.

With this in mind, one final point: DHCP alongside DNS and IP address management ( IPAM ) are together known as DDI.

Want to know how to define DDI or how it works to form a complete management solution? BlueCat’s Unified DDI solution is the place to start.

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DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) Basics

• 4 contributors

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a standard protocol defined by RFC 1541 (which is superseded by RFC 2131) that allows a server to dynamically distribute IP addressing and configuration information to clients. Normally the DHCP server provides the client with at least this basic information:

Subnet Mask

Default Gateway

Other information can be provided as well, such as Domain Name Service (DNS) server addresses and Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) server addresses. The system administrator configures the DHCP server with the options that are parsed out to the client.

More Information

The following Microsoft products provide DHCP client functionality:

Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0

Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0

Microsoft Network Client version 3.0 for MS-DOS

Microsoft LAN Manager Client version 2.2c for MS-DOS

Microsoft TCP/IP-32 for Windows for Workgroups versions 3.11, 3.11a, and 3.11b

Different DHCP clients support different options that they can receive from the DHCP server.

The following Microsoft server operating systems provide DHCP server functionality:

Windows NT Server version 3.5

Windows NT Server version 3.51

Windows NT Server version 4.0

When a client is initialized for the first time after it is configured to receive DHCP information, it initiates a conversation with the server.

Below is a summary table of the conversation between client and server, which is followed by a packet-level description of the process:

The detailed conversation between DHCP client and DHCP server is as follows:

DHCPDISCOVER

The client sends a DHCPDISCOVER packet. The following is an excerpt from a network monitor capture showing the IP and DHCP portions of a DHCPDISCOVER packet. In the IP section, you can see the Destination address is 255.255.255.255 and the Source address is 0.0.0.0. The DHCP section identifies the packet as a Discover packet and identifies the client in two places using the physical address of the network card. Note the values in the CHADDR field and the DHCP: Client Identifier field are identical.

The DHCP server responds by sending a DHCPOFFER packet. In the IP section of the capture excerpt below, the Source address is now the DHCP server IP address, and the Destination address is the broadcast address 255.255.255.255. The DHCP section identifies the packet as an Offer. The YIADDR field is populated with the IP address the server is offering the client. Note the CHADDR field still contains the physical address of the requesting client. Also, we see in the DHCP Option Field section the various options being sent by the server along with the IP address. In this case the server is sending the Subnet Mask, Default Gateway (Router), Lease Time, WINS server address (NetBIOS Name Service), and the NetBIOS Node Type.

DHCPREQUEST

The client responds to the DHCPOFFER by sending a DHCPREQUEST. In the IP section of the capture below, the Source address of the client is still 0.0.0.0 and the Destination for the packet is still 255.255.255.255. The client retains 0.0.0.0 because the client hasn't received verification from the server that it's okay to start using the address offered. The Destination is still broadcast, because more than one DHCP server may have responded and may be holding a reservation for an Offer made to the client. This lets those other DHCP servers know they can release their offered addresses and return them to their available pools. The DHCP section identifies the packet as a Request and verifies the offered address using the DHCP: Requested Address field. The DHCP: Server Identifier field shows the IP address of the DHCP server offering the lease.

The DHCP server responds to the DHCPREQUEST with a DHCPACK, thus completing the initialization cycle. The Source address is the DHCP server IP address, and the Destination address is still 255.255.255.255. The YIADDR field contains the client's address, and the CHADDR and DHCP: Client Identifier fields are the physical address of the network card in the requesting client. The DHCP Option section identifies the packet as an ACK.

If the client has previously had a DHCP assigned IP address and it is restarted, the client will specifically request the previously leased IP address in a special DHCPREQUEST packet. The Source address is 0.0.0.0 and the Destination is the broadcast address 255.255.255.255. Microsoft clients will populate the DHCP Option Field DHCP: Requested Address with the previously assigned address. Strictly RFC compliant clients will populate the CIADDR Field with the address requested. The Microsoft DHCP server will accept either.

At this point, the server may or may not respond. The behavior of the Windows NT DHCP server depends on the version of the operating system being used as well as other factors such as superscoping. If the server determines that the client can still use the address, it will either remain silent or ACK the DHCPREQUEST. If the server determines that the client cannot have the address, it will send a NACK.

The client will then begin the discover process, but the DHCPDISCOVER packet will still attempt to lease the same address. In many instances, the client will get the same address but may not.

DHCP information obtained by the client from a DHCP server will have a lease time associated with it. The lease time defines how long the client can use the DHCP-assigned information. When the lease reaches certain milestones, the client will attempt to renew its DHCP information.

To view IP information on a Windows or Windows for Workgroups client, use the IPCONFIG utility. If the client is Windows 95, use WINIPCFG.

For more information about DHCP, see RFC1541 and RFC2131. RFCs may be obtained via the Internet at numerous sites, for example: http://www.rfc-editor.org/ and http://www.tech-nic.qc.ca/

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Assigning a fixed IP address to a machine in a DHCP network

I want to assign a fixed private IP address to a server so that local computers can always access it.

Currently, the DHCP address of the server is something like 192.168.1.66 .

Should I simply assign the server this same IP as fixed and configure the router so that it will exclude this IP from the ones available for DHCP? Or are there some ranges of IP that are traditionally reserved for static addresses?

My beginner's question doesn't relate to commands but to general principles and good practices.

Practical case (Edit 1 of 2)

Thank you for the many good answers, especially the very detailed one from Liam.

I could access the router's configuration.

When booting any computer, it obtains its IPv4 address in DHCP.

The IP and the MAC addresses that I can see with the ipconfig all command in Windows match those in the list of connected devices that the router displays, so that I can confirm who is who.

The list of connected devices is something like

Things that I don't understand:

• Although all IP addresses are all obtained in DCHP, they are displayed as by the router as if they are static addresses.
• The router's setting "Enable DHCP on LAN" is set on "Off" but the IP addresses are obtained in DHCP.
• IP addresses attributed to the computers are outside of the very narrow DHCP range of 192.168.1.33 to 192.68.1.35

On any Windows computer connected in DCHP, ipconfig /all shows something like:

I'm missing something, but what?

Practical case (Edit 2 of 2)

Solution found.

For details, see my answer to Michal's comment at the bottom of this message.

I must admit that the way the router display things keeps some parts a mystery. The router seems to be using DHCP by default, but remembers the devices that were connected to it (probably using their mac address). It could be the reason why it lists the IPs as static although they're dynamic. There was also Cisco router at 192.168.1.4 which appeared for some business communications service, but I had no credentials to access it.

• There's no standard governing DHCP reservation ranges, but it would be kinda nice. –  LawrenceC Commented Apr 5, 2018 at 2:43
• Some routers allow you to define an IP for a chosen mac-address. Use that and DHCP will keep that address for your server. You could also set a DHCP range to e.g. 192.168.0.128 - 192.168.0.254 in a 192.168.0.1/255.255.255.0 network and set all static addresses on the "static" servers from within 192.168.0.2 - 192.168.0.127 range. –  Michal B. Commented Apr 5, 2018 at 7:29
• @Michal B.: I agree and did it meanwhile.: 1. Obtain the server's mac address. 2. Observe which IPs the router assigns to computers (eg. 192.168.0.50 to 192.168.1.70 ) 3. Start the server in DHCP. In the router panel, name it, basing on its mac address so that the router will remember it. 4. In the server switch IP from DHCP mode to manual and assign an IP that is beyond the ones that the router would assign to other devices (eg. 192.168.1.100 ). You can use nmtui and then edit the config file where you can replace PREFIX=32 by NETMASK=255.255.255.0 . 6. Restart the network service. –  OuzoPower Commented Apr 6, 2018 at 9:58

7 Answers 7

Determine the IP address that is assigned to your server and then go onto the DHCP and set a DHCP reservation for that server.

• 1 Reservations are essentially self-documenting. ++ –  mfinni Commented Apr 4, 2018 at 21:30
• 5 @mfinni ++ only works for programmers. -- for your comment :P –  Canadian Luke Commented Apr 4, 2018 at 23:59
• ..and yes he should also use a fixed IP, and label it. Document it. Maybe even reserve a range for this. In an enterprise using internal VPN it is common for these IP's to be hard coded in HOSTS files and SSH config files so it is a big deal when they suddenly change. –  mckenzm Commented Apr 5, 2018 at 1:30

DHCP services differ across many possible implementations, and there are no ranges of IP that are traditionally reserved for static addresses; it depends what is configured in your environment. I'll assume we're looking at a typical home / SOHO setup since you mention your router is providing the DHCP service.

Should I simply assign the server this same IP as fixed and configure the router so that it will exclude this IP from the ones available for DHCP?

I would say that is not best practice. Many consumer routers will not have the ability to exclude a single address from within the DHCP range of addresses for lease (known as a 'pool'). In addition, because DHCP is not aware that you have "fixed" the IP address at the server you run the risk of a conflict. You would normally either:

• set a reservation in DHCP configuration so that the server device is always allocated the same address by the DHCP service, or
• set the server device with a static address that is outside the pool of addresses allocated by the DHCP service.

To expand on these options:

Reservation in DHCP

If your router allows reservations, then the first, DHCP reservation option effectively achieves what you have planned. Note the significant difference: address assignment is still managed by the DHCP service, not "fixed" on the server. The server still requests a DHCP address, it just gets the same one every time.

Static IP address

If you prefer to set a static address, you should check your router's (default) configuration to determine the block of addresses used for DHCP leases. You will normally be able to see the configuration as a first address and last address, or first address and a maximum number of clients. Once you know this, you can pick a static address for your server.

An example would be: the router is set to allow a maximum of 128 DHCP clients with a first DHCP IP address of 192.168.1.32. Therefore a device could be assigned any address from 192.168.1.32 up to and including 192.168.1.159. Your router will use a static address outside this range (generally the first or last address .1 or .254) and you can now pick any other available address for your server.

It depends on the configuration of your DHCP service. Check the settings available to you for DHCP then either reserve an address in DHCP or pick a static address that is not used by DHCP - don't cross the streams.

• 1 Double++ on this. –  ivanivan Commented Apr 5, 2018 at 3:26
• 1 Thank you Liam for your very detailed and useful answer. After accessing the router's configuration, other issues arised that I added in the original message. –  OuzoPower Commented Apr 5, 2018 at 9:45
• @OuzoPower I'm new to responding here so don't have enough rep to comment on the question. Your update shows your router is not providing the DHCP service. The setting is off on the router, and your Windows ipconfig output shows the DHCP service is provided from a device at 192.168.1.5 . Do you have Pi-Hole or another similar device providing DHCP? That's where you'll find your DHCP configuration. NB: This also explains why the router shows the addresses as static and why DHCP assigned addresses are outside the range configured on the router. –  Liam Commented Apr 6, 2018 at 9:52
• @Liam: No Pi-Hole or similar thing as far as I know. Solution found: As I could not set DHCP ranges in the router but could register the mac address of the server in the router and then attribute to the server a fixed IP address that is far beyond the range that the router is naturally assigning to existing devices. Thanks to the registration of the server's mac address, the router keeps it in memory and shows the server as missing when thus is off. For details, see my answer to Michal B. in the original post. This solution seems working like a charm. –  OuzoPower Commented Apr 6, 2018 at 10:11
• @OuzoPower That approach may work in the short term but how do you know that the address you have picked is outside the DHCP range? Many DHCP systems pick addresses at random from the available pool. At some point you will need to know what your DHCP configuration actually is, rather than estimating by observation (!) otherwise you will experience some conflict. Your question asked about best practice. Here, best practice would be to know what system is handling DHCP for your LAN. I would start by visiting 192.168.1.5 or https://192.168.1.5/ for clues. –  Liam Commented Apr 6, 2018 at 10:48

It's not a bad habit to divide your subnet to DHCP pool range and static ranges, but of course you can do what JohnA wrote - use reservation for your server, but first case is IMHO clearer, because you are not messing up your DHCP server with unused extra settings (it could be confusing then for another admins who are not aware of that the server is static). if using DHCP pool + static pool, then just don't forget to add your static server to DNS (create A/AAAA record for it).

• I would like to add that the downside of DHCP reservations for servers is that if your DHCP environment is not sufficient fault tolerant, a DHCP server outage could cause all manner of problems. Monitor the DHCP closely and set leases that are long enough to be able respond to problems even after a long weekend. –  JohnA Commented Apr 5, 2018 at 2:06

I prefer to set my network devices, servers, printers, etc. that require a static IP address out of range of the DHCP pool. For example, xx.xx.xx.0 to xx.xx.xx.99 would be set aside for fixed IP assignments and xx.xx.xx.100 to xx.xx.xx.250 would be set as the DHCP pool.

• I like this approach as well. This way I can still access the servers even if the DHCP server takes the morning off or decides to start handing out invalid leases! –  ErikF Commented Apr 5, 2018 at 1:24
• Using isc-dhcp-server this is required (this is what my pi does, along with DNS caching, a fake domain for my LAN, and some traffic shaping for some wireless stuff). Unfortunately, I've seen browser based router config pages (both factory and replacement) that either require a reserved address to be in the dynamic pool... or out of it. –  ivanivan Commented Apr 5, 2018 at 3:30

In addition to the other answers I want to concentrate on the fact that your router configuration does not seem to fit the IP address configuration on your server.

Please have a look on the output of ipconfig /all:

IPv4 Address ........ 192.168.1.xx(prefered)

Default Gateway ........ 192.168.1.1 (= IP of the router)

DHCP server ............ 192.168.1.5

The clients in the network don't get the IP address from the router, but a different DHCP server in the network (192.168.1.5 instead of 192.168.1.1). You have to find this server and check it's configuration instead of the router's DHCP server config, which is seemingly only used for Wireless.

My router ( OpenWRT ) allows for static DHCP leases.

Static leases are used to assign fixed IP addresses and symbolic hostnames to DHCP clients.

So, you supply the MAC address of the server and it's desired IP address as a "static lease", and DHCP will always allocate the same IP. The client machine (the server in this case) requires no configuration changes and still picks up its IP address (the configured address) from DHCP.

Note that you can't assign a fixed IP addresses in 192.168 so that clients can "always access it" unless you also give each client a fixed IP address and subnet. Because if the clients use DHCP, then they get whatever subnect the DHCP server gives them, and if they use automatic addressing, then they won't be in a 192.168 subnet.

Once you realise that the system can't be easily perfected, you can see that your best options depend on what you are trying to do. Upnp is a common way of making devices visible. DNS is a common way of making devices visible. WINS is a common way of making devices visible. DHCP is a common way of making devices visible.

All of my printers have reservations: my printers aren't critical infrastructure, I want to be able to manage them, many of the clients use UPNP or mDNS for discovery anyway.

My gateway and DNS servers have fixed IP address in a reserved range: My DHCP server provides gateway and DNS addresses, and my DHCP server does not have the capacity to do dynamic discovery or DNS lookup.

None of my streaming devices have fixed or reserved IP values at all: if the network is so broken that DHCP and DNS aren't working, there is no way that the clients will be able to connect to fixed IP addresses anyway.

• This literally makes no sense. Are you asserting that you can’t mix static and dynamic in a /16? –  Gaius Commented Apr 5, 2018 at 12:59
• I have asserted that if you use static, you haven't gauaranteed that clients can "always access it"Not at all. I've just asserted that I've mixed static and dynamic in my setup. –  user165568 Commented Apr 6, 2018 at 9:46
• @Gaius I have asserted that if you use static, you haven't guaranteed that clients can "always access it". I'm sorry that doesn't make sense to you: it's one of the primary reasons the world moved away from static. I've also asserted that I've mixed static and dynamic in my setup: see: "none of my streaming devices have fixed or reserved" and "DNS servers have fixed IP": the DNS servers are indeed in the same subnet as the clients. –  user165568 Commented Apr 6, 2018 at 9:52
• Sorry, but I must admin not understanding most of your answer. As far as I know, DNS are domain name servers and are useful when you want to name servers, like when assigning domain names to web sites. As I don't need domain names, DNS appears me useless. Accessing the server is not an issue without DNS. See my answer to Michal B. in the original post for the solution that I found. –  OuzoPower Commented Apr 6, 2018 at 10:18

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IP address allocation process

Figure 11: IP address allocation process

As shown in Figure 11 , a DHCP server assigns an IP address to a DHCP client in the following process:

The client broadcasts a DHCP-DISCOVER message to locate a DHCP server.

Each DHCP server offers configuration parameters such as an IP address to the client in a DHCP-OFFER message. The sending mode of the DHCP-OFFER is determined by the flag field in the DHCP-DISCOVER message. For more information, see " DHCP message format ."

If the client receives multiple offers, it accepts the first received offer, and broadcasts it in a DHCP-REQUEST message to formally request the IP address. (IP addresses offered by other DHCP servers can be assigned to other clients.)

All DHCP servers receive the DHCP-REQUEST message. However, only the server selected by the client does one of the following operations:

Returns a DHCP-ACK message to confirm that the IP address has been allocated to the client.

Returns a DHCP-NAK message to deny the IP address allocation.

After receiving the DHCP-ACK message, the client verifies the following details before using the assigned IP address:

The assigned IP address is not in use. To verify this, the client broadcasts a gratuitous ARP packet. The assigned IP address is not in use if no response is received within the specified time.

The assigned IP address is not on the same subnet as any IP address in use on the client.

Otherwise, the client sends a DHCP-DECLINE message to the server to request an IP address again.

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How to Enable DHCP Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide for Easy Setup

Enabling DHCP on Windows 10 ensures that your computer can automatically obtain an IP address from your router, making it easier to connect to networks without manually configuring network settings. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you enable DHCP on your Windows 10 machine.

How to Enable DHCP on Windows 10

Enabling DHCP on Windows 10 involves a few simple steps that will allow your computer to obtain an IP address automatically from a DHCP server, typically your router. This setup is essential for seamless internet connectivity and network access. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Open the Control Panel

First, press the Windows key and type "Control Panel." Click on the Control Panel from the search results.

Opening the Control Panel gives you access to various settings on your computer, including network settings.

Step 2: Go to Network and Sharing Center

Next, click on "Network and Internet" and then select "Network and Sharing Center."

The Network and Sharing Center is where you can view and change network connections and settings.

Step 3: Change Adapter Settings

On the left-hand side, click on "Change adapter settings."

This action will display all the network adapters on your computer, both for wired and wireless connections.

Step 4: Right-click on Your Network Connection

Right-click on the network adapter you are using (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and select "Properties."

Accessing the properties of your network connection allows you to modify settings specific to that adapter.

Step 5: Open Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties

In the list, find "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)," select it, and then click "Properties."

The IPv4 properties window is where you’ll enable DHCP by setting your IP address to be obtained automatically.

Step 6: Enable DHCP

Select the option "Obtain an IP address automatically" and "Obtain DNS server address automatically." Click "OK" to save the changes.

By selecting these options, your computer will now use DHCP to get an IP address and DNS server address from your router.

After completing these steps, your computer will automatically obtain an IP address from your router, making network configuration a breeze.

Tips for Enabling DHCP on Windows 10

• Ensure your router has DHCP enabled to provide IP addresses to devices on your network.
• Restart your computer after making changes to ensure they take effect.
• Verify that your network adapter drivers are up-to-date to avoid connectivity issues.
• Temporarily disable firewall or antivirus software if you experience connectivity problems.
• If you have multiple network adapters, ensure you enable DHCP on the correct one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is dhcp.

DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, a network management protocol used to automate the process of configuring devices on IP networks.

Why should I enable DHCP on Windows 10?

Enabling DHCP simplifies network setup and management by allowing your computer to automatically receive an IP address and other network settings.

Can I disable DHCP and still connect to the internet?

Yes, but you’ll need to manually configure your IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS settings. This process can be more complex and prone to errors.

How do I know if DHCP is enabled on my computer?

You can check your network adapter settings in the Control Panel under "Network and Sharing Center" and "Change adapter settings."

What should I do if my computer cannot obtain an IP address automatically?

Ensure your router has DHCP enabled, restart your computer, and check for any firewall or antivirus software that might be blocking network access.

Summary of Steps

• Open the Control Panel.
• Go to Network and Sharing Center.
• Change Adapter Settings.
• Right-click on Your Network Connection.
• Open Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties.
• Enable DHCP.

Enabling DHCP on Windows 10 is a straightforward process that significantly simplifies network configuration. By allowing your computer to automatically obtain an IP address, you save time and reduce the chances of configuration errors. This guide has walked you through each step to ensure a smooth setup. Remember, keeping your network adapter drivers up-to-date and verifying that your router’s DHCP settings are enabled can prevent connectivity issues.

If you found this guide helpful, consider exploring additional network configuration topics to further enhance your understanding. Happy networking!

Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.

He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.

Read his full bio here .

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Setting IP Address Using DHCP Server

Every computer on the network has to have an IP address for communication purposes. An IP address is an identifier for a computer or device on a network. The IP address can be assigned in two ways i.e. Static IP or Dynamic IP. 

Static IP : A static IP is where a user assigns an IP address manually. It has certain drawbacks for example you have 100 computers or devices in your network and you want to assign IP addresses to each one statically, so keep in mind that the IP address must be unique because if you assign the same IP address twice it would cause an IP conflict and it would not have access to a network. 

Dynamic IP: A dynamic IP is where a computer gets an IP address from a DHCP server. A DHCP server automatically assigns a computer an IP address along with a subnet mask, default gateway, DNS server. 

DHCP Server: A Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is an application layer protocol that is used to provide dynamic IP addresses to computers and devices. DHCP is a service that runs on a server, such as a Microsoft server or a Linux server. It’s also a service that runs on routers.

Why set the IP address using the DHCP server?

When a computer obtains an IP address from a DHCP server the server assigns the IP address on lease. The computer doesn’t own the IP address its lease and lease is the amount of time an IP address is assigned to a computer. For example, the lease could be for one day.

Another reason for lease is to make sure that the DHCP server does not run out of IP addresses. A DHCP server has its scope, let’s just say that this DHCP scope has only a range of three IP addresses so it can give only three IP addresses. Now obviously this is not so realistic as no network administrator is going to create a scope with such a small range. But for now, as an example let use this example let’s go ahead and add three computers to a network once they get added, a DHCP server is going to assign them IP addresses so in this example let’s just say that the IP address given to computers is not on lease so the DHCP has reached out its limit on giving IP address all these three IP addresses are currently being used.

What if one of the computers gets removed from the network. If a computer is removed it takes the IP address that it has been given with it. Let’s say another computer gets added to the network but the problem is the computer won’t be able to access the network because the DHCP server has run out of IP addresses. Even though that third computer has been removed it still occupies an IP address that could be used for another computer. 

This is why the IP address leased and are not given permanently because if IP addresses are leased then this would tell the DHCP server which IP address is still being used and which ones are not being used so in this example the IP address are leased, after a certain period during lease a computer must send a signal to the server asking to the server to renew its list of the IP addresses. In another word, we can say informing the DHCP server that it is still present on the network and its IP address is still being used.

If a computer is removed from the network that computer not going to ask the DHCP server for renewal and if it doesn’t ask for renewal then the list will expire and then the IP address will go back to their IP address pool of servers. Now the IP address can be used for another computer and this is why the IP address is leased.  

How to set the IP address using the DHCP server?

Lets us see practically how to assign an IP address using DHCP to your windows 10/8/7 computer step by step :

Step 1:  Go to the control panel.

Step 2:   Select the Networking and sharing option.

Step 3:   Select change adapter setting.

Step 4:   Select and open your internet, ethernet , or wi-fi connection to which you want to set the IP address using the DHCP server. 

Step 5: Once you have done with Step 4 a pop-up of wi-fi status (in my case connected with wi-fi) will appear on your screen, now click on properties.

Step 6: Once you click on the properties option a new pop-up of wi-fi properties will appear on your screen. Now, select Internet Protocol version 4(TCP/IPv4) in some cases it may have IPv6. Once you select this option properties option will enable and once it is enabled click on that.

Step 7: After clicking on the properties option of the recent screen a new screen of Internet Protocol Version will appear where you have to go inside the general tab which by default opens and click on the option of obtain an IP address automatically along with this option click on obtain DNS server address automatically.   

When we choose this option computer will broadcast a request for an IP address on the network then the DHCP server will assign an IP address from its pool and deliver it to the computer. once it is done you can verify that the DHCP server has given address to your computer or not by opening a command prompt on your system and typing a command ipconfig  /all and you can see there is DHCP enable or not along with IPv4 or IPV6 address, subnet mask, and default gateway.

All of these settings are given by the DHCP server. Dynamic IP addressing is the best choice because it automatically manages the network and makes the process a lot easier.

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The Complete Guide: How to Setup a Static IP for Your Network

In today’s digital world, having a stable and reliable internet connection is essential. Whether you are running a home network or managing a business, setting up a static IP can greatly enhance your network’s performance and security. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of setting up a static IP for your network.

Understanding the Basics of Static IP

Before diving into the setup process, it is crucial to understand what a static IP is and how it differs from a dynamic IP. A dynamic IP address is assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and can change periodically. On the other hand, a static IP address remains constant and does not change over time.

One of the main advantages of using a static IP is that it allows you to easily access devices on your network from remote locations. This can be particularly useful for hosting servers or accessing security cameras remotely. Additionally, it provides more stability for services such as online gaming or video conferencing.

Configuring Your Router

To set up a static IP address, you will need to configure your router. Start by accessing your router’s configuration page through your web browser. The default gateway address is typically printed on the back of your router or mentioned in its documentation.

Once you have accessed the configuration page, look for the “LAN” or “Network Settings” section. Here, you will find an option to assign an IP address manually rather than relying on DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). Select this option to proceed with setting up your static IP.

Next, enter an appropriate IP address that falls within your network’s range. It should be outside of the DHCP range set by your router to avoid conflicts with dynamically assigned addresses. Additionally, ensure that the subnet mask matches that of your network.

Assigning Static IPs to Devices

Now that your router is configured to use a static IP, you can proceed to assign static IPs to individual devices on your network. This step is particularly useful if you have specific devices that require constant access from external networks.

To assign a static IP address to a device, access its network settings. This can usually be done through the device’s control panel or system preferences. In the network settings, look for an option related to TCP/IP or IP configuration.

Within the TCP/IP or IP configuration settings, select the option to manually enter an IP address. Enter the desired static IP address along with the appropriate subnet mask and default gateway. Save the changes and restart the device for them to take effect.

Testing and Troubleshooting

Once you have completed the setup process, it is important to test your network connectivity and ensure that everything is functioning as intended. Start by verifying that devices with static IPs can still access the internet and communicate with other devices on your network.

If you encounter any issues during testing, double-check all of your configurations for accuracy. Ensure that there are no conflicts between dynamically assigned addresses and your new static IPs. If necessary, consult your router’s documentation or reach out to customer support for further assistance.

In conclusion, setting up a static IP for your network can greatly improve its stability and allow for easier remote access to devices. By understanding the basics of static IPs, configuring your router correctly, assigning static IPs to devices, and testing/troubleshooting any issues that arise, you can successfully set up a stable and reliable network infrastructure.

This text was generated using a large language model, and select text has been reviewed and moderated for purposes such as readability.

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How to Change Your IP Address on Windows 11

Whe show you three different methods for changing your IP address on Windows 11 and give you helpful tips to deal with DNS settings.

Table of Contents:

Changing your IP address in Windows 11 is a crucial task for various reasons, such as improving network security, resolving connectivity issues, or accessing region-restricted content. Depending on your network configuration, you may need to switch between automatic IP assignment (Dynamic IP) and manual IP assignment (Static IP). In Windows 11, there are multiple ways to modify your IP settings, including through the Settings menu, the Control Panel, and the Command Line (CMD). Each method provides different levels of control, making it essential to choose the one that fits your technical proficiency.

This guide will walk you through three methods for changing your IP address on Windows 11. Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced user, you’ll find step-by-step instructions tailored to your needs. From navigating the network settings in the Control Panel to using the command line for more advanced control, this tutorial provides comprehensive guidance.

How to Change the IP Address in Windows 11 via Settings

The easiest and most user-friendly way to change your IP address in Windows 11 is through the Settings menu. This method is ideal for users who prefer a graphical interface over command-line utilities. You’ll have options to switch between automatic IP configuration and manually setting a static IP address.

How to Change the IP Address in Windows 11 in Control Panel

The Control Panel provides a more traditional method to change IP settings. This method is recommended if you need more control over advanced network configurations.

How to Change Your IP Address on Windows 11 Command Line (CMD)

For more advanced users, the Command Line (CMD) provides a powerful way to configure your network settings without relying on a graphical interface. This method is particularly useful for troubleshooting or automating IP changes.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Changing IP Address in Windows 11

What precautions should i take when setting a static ip.

When setting a static IP, verify that the chosen IP address does not fall within a range typically assigned by your DHCP server to avoid conflicts. Ensure the subnet mask matches your local network configuration , which would typically be 255.255.255.0 for home networks, and confirm the default gateway address points to your router, which is essential for the device to access external networks.

What should I do if I cannot connect to the internet after changing my IP?

First, recheck your IP settings for accuracy, particularly the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway, ensuring they correspond with your network’s configuration. If problems persist, try setting the IP configuration to automatic to see if DHCP assigns a valid IP. If this resolves the issue, there might have been a problem with the manual settings you entered. If not resolved, resetting your network settings or contacting your network administrator might be necessary.

How do I verify my new IP address in Windows 11?

After updating your IP settings, open Command Prompt by searching for it in the Start menu and typing ipconfig into the console. This command displays all the network configuration details, including your new IP address, displayed next to the name of the network interface you modified.

How do I find my network adapter name for CMD commands?

Open Command Prompt and type netsh interface show interface to list all network interfaces. The output includes the status, interface name, and other details. Use the exact name as shown (taking note of case sensitivity and spaces) for subsequent CMD commands involving specific network adapters.

Can changing my IP address affect my local network connections?

Yes, if the static IP address you set conflicts with another device on the same network, or if it’s outside the acceptable range of your network gateway, it can cause connectivity issues. Always ensure the IP address is unique within your network and appropriately aligned with your network’s addressing scheme.

What are DNS settings, and why should I adjust them when setting a static IP?

DNS (Domain Name System) settings are crucial as they convert human-readable domain names into machine-readable IP addresses. When setting a static IP, ensure that your DNS settings align with either your ISP’s or a reliable public DNS service like Google DNS (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1) , which can enhance browsing speed and reliability.

How can I resolve IP address conflicts in Windows 11?

If you encounter an IP address conflict, immediately change the IP address of one of the conflicting devices to a free IP address on the same subnet. Using the DHCP reservation feature on your router can prevent conflicts by permanently assigning specific IPs to devices.

Is it necessary to restart my computer after changing the IP address?

Usually, it’s not necessary to restart your computer after changing IP settings; however, some changes might only take effect post-reboot, especially if dealing with network instability or if changes don’t seem to apply.

What is the subnet mask, and why is it important?

The subnet mask is vital as it separates the IP address into the network and host parts, defining which part of the address refers to the network and which part refers to a specific host within that network. Correct subnet mask settings are essential for the network’s routers to correctly route traffic within and between networks.

What impact does the gateway address have on network connectivity?

The gateway address, typically the router’s IP address on your network, routes the traffic from your PC to other network segments and the internet. An incorrect gateway will restrict network access, preventing the PC from communicating with external networks.

Can I use CMD to set a static IP on multiple adapters?

Yes, you can configure multiple adapters via CMD by repeating the static IP configuration command for each adapter. Ensure each IP address is suitable for its specific network segment and does not overlap or conflict with other IPs.

How long does a dynamic IP address last on Windows 11?

A dynamic IP address lease duration varies, typically set by the network’s DHCP server (often the router). It can range from minutes to days, depending on the network configuration but usually renews automatically upon expiry or when reconnecting to the network.

How to fix connectivity problems after setting a manual IP?

Double-check your manual settings for any input errors. Ensure the IP address used does not interfere with other reserved addresses and matches your network’s configuration (subnet and gateway). If problems continue, consult with your ISP or a network specialist.

Can I switch back to dynamic IP after setting a static one?

Yes, you can switch back to obtaining an IP address automatically by selecting the “Obtain an IP address automatically” option in your network settings or by using the appropriate netsh command in CMD. This action will allow the DHCP server to assign an IP address to your device.

Is a static IP better for gaming or remote work?

A static IP can be beneficial for gaming or remote work as it ensures a consistent IP address which can be necessary for direct device access, reducing connectivity issues. It can also facilitate port forwarding setups and help manage network security more efficiently.

Related: How to Enable DNS over HTTPS (DoH) on Windows 11

Related: how to flush dns in windows 11 or windows 10.

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