CHAPTER 16: ETHERNET OPTION 
GE Multilin                      EPM 5000 series Advanced Power Meters  93 
 
16.3: Default IP Address 
 
The Ethernet Interface ships with a default IP address set to 0.0.0.0, whish automatically enables DHCP 
within the Ethernet Interface. 
 
Provided a DHCP server exists on the network, it will supply the Ethernet Interface with an IP address, 
gateway address and subnet mask when the Ethernet Interface boots up.  If not DHCP server exists, the 
Ethernet Interface will respond with a diagnostic error:  the RED Diagnostic LED blinks continuously and 
the GREEN Status LED blinks five times. 
 
 
16.4: AutoIP  
 
Auto IP allows an Ethernet Interface to obtain an address in a network that does not have a DHCP server.  
(Windows 98 and 2000 also support AutoIP.) 
 
AutoIP assigns a random valid address to the Ethernet Interface in the range of 169.254.x.1 to 
169.254.x.1 (x can be between 0 and 255).  This range of IP addresses is not to be used over the 
Internet.  If the Ethernet Interface has not been configured manually and cannot find a DHCP server, it 
automatically chooses an address from the reserved range.  The Ethernet Interface then uses the 
Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) to send out a request asking if any node is using that address.  If 
another node is using the same address, the Ethernet Interface assigns another IP address, reboots and 
repeats the sequence. 
 
NOTE:  AutoIP-enabled Ethernet Interfaces are constantly looking for DHCP servers.  If a DHCP server 
becomes available on the network, the AutoIP-enabled Ethernet Interface switches to the DHCP server-
provided address and the unit reboots.  If the DHCP server exists but denies the Ethernet Interface an IP 
address, the Ethernet Interface does not attach to the network, but waits and retries. 
 
AutoIP allows a small network of AutoIP-enabled devices to be set up without any need for a DHCP 
server or static IP addresses.   
 
AutoIP can be disabled be setting the IP address to 0.0.1.0.  The 1 in the third octet is the disabling 
factor. 
 
16.5: Setting the IP Address 
 
The Ethernet Interface’s IP address must be configured before a network connection is available.  If the 
IP address was not set automatically via DHCP, set it now using a network and the setup (configuration) 
menu. 
 
 
NETWORK PORT LOGIN 
 
The ARP method is available under UNIX and Windows-based systems.  The Ethernet Interface will set 
its address from the first directed TCP/IP packet it receives. 
 
ARP ON UNIX 
 
On a Unix host, create an entry in the host’s ARP table using the intended IP address and the hardware 
address of the Ethernet Interface, which is found on the product label. 
 
arp –s 191.12.3.77 00:20:4a:xx:xx:xx