Watchguard SOHO, User Manual

Page: 38 / 118

Configuring Your External Network
38
method to distribute IP addresses is to use Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol (DHCP). When you connect your
computer to the network, a DHCP server at your ISP automatically
assigns it a network IP address. This eliminates the ISP from
having to manually assign and manage IP addresses.
IP address assignments can be either dynamic or static. With
dynamic, your ISP assigns your computer a new address every
time you connect. When you power down, you release the address,
and it may be reassigned. An IP address that is static, on the other
hand, belongs to your computer at all times whether or not you are
currently using it. No other computer anywhere on the network
shares the same address.
A third way of assigning addresses is called PPPoE (Point-to-Point
Protocol over Ethernet). PPPoE combines some of the advantages
of Ethernet and PPP by simulating a standard Dial-Up connection.
It is popular among many ISPs because it enables them to use
existing Dial-Up infrastructure such as billing, authentication, and
security for DSL and cable modems.
Determining whether your ISP uses dynamic or
static addressing
Most ISPs support both dynamic and static addressing. To
determine if your connection to the Internet is dynamic or static:
1 Click
Start
=> Settings =>
Control Panel
.
The Control Panel window appears.
2 Double-click the Network icon.
The Network dialog box appears.