RX3141 User’s Manual

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6 DHCP Server Configuration

6.1DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol)

6.1.1What is DHCP?

DHCP is a protocol that enables network administrators to centrally manage the assignment and distribution of IP information to computers on a network.

When you enable DHCP on a network, you allow a device — such as the RX3141 — to assign temporary IP addresses to your computers whenever they connect to your network. The assigning device is called a DHCP server, and the receiving device is a DHCP client.

 

 

If you followed the Quick Start Guide instructions, you either

 

 

 

configured each LAN PC with an IP address, or you specified that

 

 

 

it will receive IP information dynamically (automatically). If you

 

Note

 

chose to have the information assigned dynamically, then you

 

 

configured your PCs as DHCP clients that will accept IP

 

 

 

 

 

 

addresses assigned from a DCHP server such as the RX3141.

 

 

 

 

 

The DHCP server draws from a defined pool of IP addresses and “leases” them for a specified amount of time to your computers when they request an Internet session. It monitors, collects, and redistributes the addresses as needed.

On a DHCP-enabled network, the IP information is assigned dynamically rather than statically. A DHCP client can be assigned a different address from the pool each time it reconnects to the network.

6.1.2Why use DHCP?

DHCP allows you to manage and distribute IP addresses throughout your network from the RX3141. Without DHCP, you would have to configure each computer separately with IP address and related information. DHCP is commonly used with large networks and those that are frequently expanded or otherwise updated.

6.1.3Configuring DHCP Server

 

The RX3141 is configured as a DHCP server on the LAN side,

 

with a predefined IP address pool of 192.168.1.100 through

 

192.168.1.149 (subnet mask 255.255.255.0). To change this

Note

range of addresses, follow the procedures described in this

 

section.

 

 

First, you must configure your PCs to accept DHCP information assigned by a DHCP server:

1.Open the DHCP Server Configuration page, shown in Figure 6.1, by double clicking Advanced

Î DHCP Server menu.

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