What is DHCP?
On a modern Ethernet network, with a robust router as overseer,
IP addresses are assigned to each PC as it joins the network. The process,
which is automatic, is referred to as Dynamic
Host Configuration Protocol, or DHCP.There’s nothing to set up: Your router’s configuration program
most likely contains a page that directs the router to use DHCP to set IP
addresses. You can turn off the option, but there’s no reason to do so.
There are two parts to DHCP the client and the host.
- The host exists on your router, which assigns
IP addresses.
- The client is on your computer. It asks the host
for an IP addresses and then assigns that address to the network connection.
- When your computer isn’t connected to a network, its DHCP client
program assigns a random IP address to the computer. That IP address is useless
because the PC isn’t connected to a network. But the random IP address confuses
some users because it appears as though the computer has a legitimate IP
address. It does not.
- The best way to test a network connection is to ping the router.
- You can configure the router to specify which range of IP
addresses to use. Again, you have no reason to change the DHCP settings for a
small, home or office network.
