DHCP is the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, originally created by Microsoft, based on the older BOOTP protocol.
You can use DHCP to configure automatically the networking settings of Windows, Macintosh and several other kinds of workstations on your local network. This allows you to control everyone's settings from a single place on the NetWinder server. It also keeps each workstation's networking settings simple.
WARNING |
If you already have a DHCP server on your network, it is critical that you do not enable the NetWinder's DHCP server! Both servers will both try to service each client, and mass confusion could result. |
The NetWinder DHCP server has several configuration options available. The configuration screen looks like this:
The configuration options are as follows:
Subnet Address. This is the address of the local ethernet network, where your NetWinder and all of your workstations reside. Usually the last number in the address is zero (for example, 192.168.1.0), which means that all of the computers on your local network share the first three numbers (192.168.1) and identify themselves by the fourth (1 to 254).
The subnet address should be the same as the one you entered in Ethernet Settings for the Eth1 Parameters.
Netmask. This should be the same as the one you entered in Eth1 Parameters. As with the subnet address, the last number is usually zero, which means that computers on your local network identify themselves using the fourth number in the address.
Domain Name. This is the name of your network, for example, rebel.com. Computer names on your network have the domain name appended to form their complete internet address. For example, if your computer is called server1, its full name would be server1.rebel.com.
Router Address. This is the address of the default gateway for all your workstations. Since your NetWinder can act as a gateway, this value is very often the address of your NetWinder. Other times, it is the address of a dedicated router device.
First DHCP Address. This is the first available address on your local network for dynamic assignment. For example, if this number is 192.168.1.10, then the first PC to request its address from DHCP will be assigned 192.168.1.10. The next will be 192.168.1.11, and so on.
Last DHCP Address. This is the last address on your local network available for DHCP. Addresses higher than this one will never be automatically assigned to computers using DHCP.
NOTE: By default, these settings will be chosen automatically to match your network. You should avoid changing them unless you have a good reason.
Press the Save button to save your DHCP settings.
NOTE: You also need to start the DHCP service from the Services screen.