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DeviceLinx™ XPort Direct/XChip Direct SoC User Guide
58
A: Alternative Ways to Assign an IP Address
Earlier chapters describe how to assign a static IP address using DeviceInstaller or
Setup Mode (through a Telnet or serial connection). This section covers other
methods for assigning an IP address over the network.
DHCP
The unit ships with a default IP address of 0.0.0.0, which automatically enables
DHCP. If a DHCP server exists on the network, it provides the unit with an
IP address, gateway address, and subnet mask when the unit boots up.
You can use the DeviceInstaller software to search the network for the DHCP-
assigned IP address and add it to the list of Lantronix units retrieved.
Note:
This DHCP address does
not
appear in the unit’s Setup Mode. You
can determine your unit’s DHCP-assigned IP address in Monitor Mode.
When you enter Monitor Mode from the serial port with network connection
enabled and issue the
NC
(Network Communication) command, you see the
unit’s IP configuration.
AutoIP
The unit ships with a default IP address of 0.0.0.0, which automatically enables
Auto IP within the unit. AutoIP is an alternative to DHCP that allows hosts to obtain
an IP address automatically in smaller networks that may not have a DHCP server. A
range of IP addresses (from 169.254.0.1 to 169.254.255.1) has been explicitly
reserved for AutoIP-enabled devices. Do not use this range of Auto IP addresses
over the Internet.
If your unit cannot find a DHCP server, and you have not manually assigned
an IP address to it, the unit automatically selects an address from the AutoIP
reserved range. Then, your unit sends out a (ARP) request to other nodes on
the same network to see whether the selected address is being used.
If the selected address is not in use, then the unit uses it for local subnet
communication.
If another device is using the selected IP address, the unit selects another
address from the AutoIP range and reboots. After reboot, the unit sends out
another ARP request to see if the selected address is in use, and so on.
AutoIP does not replace DHCP. The unit continues to look for a DHCP server on the
network. If it finds a DHCP server, the unit switches to the DHCP server-provided
address and reboots.
Note:
If a DHCP server is found, but it denies the request for an IP address,
the unit does not attach to the network, but waits and retries.