TRENDnet TDM-E400 User's Guide - Page 93

8 Configuring Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol Note You can configure your network and Ethernet Modem Router to use the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). This chapter provides an overview of DHCP and instructions for implementing it on your network. Overview of DHCP What is DHCP? DHCP is a protocol that enables network administrators to centrally manage the assignment and distribution of IP information to computers on a network. When you enable DHCP on a network, you allow a device - such as the Ethernet Modem Router or a router located with your ISP - to assign temporary IP addresses to your computers whenever they connect to your network. The assigning device is called a DHCP server, and the receiving device is a DHCP client. If you followed the Quick Start instructions, you either configured each LAN PC with an IP address, or you specified that it will receive IP information dynamically (automatically). If you chose to have the information assigned dynamically, then you configured your PCs as DHCP clients that will accept IP addresses assigned from a DCHP server such as the Ethernet Modem Router . The DHCP server draws from a defined pool of IP addresses and "leases" them for a specified amount of time to your computers when they log onto the network. It monitors, collects, and redistributes the addresses as needed. On a DHCP-enabled network, the IP information is assigned dynamically rather than statically. A DHCP client can be assigned a different address from the pool each time it reconnects to the network. Why use DHCP? DHCP allows you to manage and distribute IP addresses throughout your network from a central computer. Without DHCP, you would have to configure each computer separately with IP addresses and related information. DHCP is commonly used with large networks and those that are frequently expanded or otherwise updated. 93