GE ML1200 instruction manual Importance of an IP Address, Dhcp and bootp, Bootp Database

CHAPTER 5: IP ADDRESSING IP ADDRESSING

5.2Importance of an IP Address

5.2.1 DHCP and bootp

DHCP is commonly used for setting up addresses for computers, users and other user devices on the network. bootp is the older cousin of DHCP and is used for setting up IP addresses of networking devices such as switches, routers, VoIP phones and more. Both of them can work independent of each other. Both of them are widely used in the industry. It's best to check with your network administrator as to what protocol to use and what the related parameters are. DHCP and bootp require respective services on the network. DHCP and bootp can automatically assign an IP address. It is assumed that the reader knows how to setup the necessary bootp parameters (usually specified on Linux/UNIX systems in the /etc/boopttab directory).

5.2.2bootp Database

Bootp keeps a record of systems supported in a database - a simple text file. On most systems, the bootp service is not started as a default and has to be enabled. A sample entry by which the bootp software will look up the database and update the IP address and subnet mask of the switch would be as follows:

ML1200:\

ht=ether:\

ha=002006250065:\

ip=3.94.247.41:\

sm=255.255.252.0:\

gw=3.94.244.1:\

hn:\

vm=rfc1048

where:

•ML1200 is a user-defined symbolic name for the switch.

•ht is the hardware type. For the MultiLink family of switches, set this to ether (for Ethernet). This tag must precede the ha tag.

•ha is the hardware address. Use the switch's 12-digit MAC address.

•ip is the IP address to be assigned to the switch.

•sm is the subnet mask of the subnet in which the switch is installed.

Each switch should have a unique name and MAC address specified in the bootptab table entry

5.2.3Configuring DHCP/bootp/Manual/AUTO

By default, the switch is configured for auto IP configuration. DHCP/bootp/manual can be enabled with the command line interface by using the set bootmode command with the following syntax:

set bootmode=<dhcpbootpmanualauto> bootimg=<enabledisable> bootcfg=<enabledisable>

MULTILINK ML1200 MANAGED FIELD SWITCH – INSTRUCTION MANUAL 5–3