290 Rockwell Automation Publication 1766-UM001O-EN-P - September 2021
Appendix G          Connect to Networks via Ethernet Interface
Use a DHCP Server To 
Configure Your Processor
A DHCP server automatically assigns IP addresses to client stations logging 
onto a TCP/IP network. DHCP is based on BOOTP and maintains some 
backward compatibility. The main difference is that BOOTP was designed for 
manual configuration, while DHCP allows for dynamic allocation of network 
addresses and configurations to newly attached devices.
Subnet Masks and Gateways Configure subnet masks and gateways using the Ethernet channel 1 
configuration screen.
If your network is divided into subnetworks that use gateways or routers, you 
must indicate the following information when configuring channel 1:
•subnet mask
• gateway address
A subnet mask is a filter that a node applies to IP addresses to determine if an 
address is on the local subnet or on another subnet. If an address is located on 
another subnetwork, messages are routed through a local gateway to be 
transferred to the destination subnetwork.
If your network is not divided into subnets, then leave the subnet mask field at 
the default.
ATTENTION: The processor must be assigned a fixed network address. The IP 
address of the processor must not be dynamically provided. Failure to observe 
this precaution may result in unintended machine motion or loss of process 
control.
IMPORTANT If BOOTP is enabled, you can’t change any of the advanced Ethernet 
communications characteristics.
If you are Then
manually configuring channel 1 and 
have a network with subnets
• be sure the BOOTP enable field is disabled
• use your programming software to enter the subnet mask and gateway 
address.
using BOOTP to configure channel 1 
and have a network with subnets
• be sure BOOTP is enabled
• include the subnet mask(s) and gateway address(es)