Additional Printing & Configuration Options 8-3
8.2 Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) provides a mechanism for
delivering IP configuration parameters, including IP address, subnet mask and default
gateway, to devices (hosts) on an IP network. A DHCP server manages the pool of
available IP addresses and grants device requests for an IP address.
At power-up, the EcoLAN 2000E broadcasts a DHCP request for an IP address. If a
DHCP server is present, the request will be processed, and an IP address will be
returned to the 2000E. Upon receipt of the IP address, the 2000E resets, and prints a
Network Status Page. The Network Status Page will list the new IP address (and
subnet mask and default gateway). Once an IP address has been assigned to the
2000E, it will no longer broadcast DHCP requests.
Important: EcoLAN 2000E IP address assignment with DHCP will only work when the
2000E does not have an existing IP address.
The DHCP server may grant a temporary IP address, called a temporary lease which
expires after a period of time, or may grant an unlimited lease which does not expire.
If the EcoLAN 2000E is assigned a temporary lease, the IP address may be assigned to
another device once the 2000E lease expires, resulting in two devices with the same IP
address.
Important: It is highly recommended to specify the EcoLAN 2000E lease as unlimited or
to define an Address Reservation for the 2000E in your DHCP server configu-
ration to avoid the possibility of duplicate IP addresses.
In Windows NT, lease duration is set for a particular scope, or group of addresses,
rather than for an individual address. Thus, the lease duration should be set to
Unlimited for the scope to which the 2000E belongs. If this is not desirable, then the
2000E should be defined as a Reserved Client.
A Reserved Client may be added with the Windows NT DHCP Manager by selecting
Scope and then Add Reservations. The IP address and the hardware address of the
2000E will then need to be entered. The hardware address may be found on the
EcoLAN 2000E Network Status Page.
Cover-Preface.book Page 3 Wednesday, August 19, 1998 11:57 AM