DHCP Servers
To benefit from DHCP, you need a DHCP server. Some Ethernet Switches offer DHCP server capabilities, as do
standard Wireless Routers.
If a device is configured to use DHCP and is connected to the network, it will send requests out asking to be assigned
information. If a DHCP server is on the network, it then provides the device with all the necessary information.
DHCP servers will assign devices IP addresses within a defined IP range. This can often be configured in the DHCP
server's settings.
It is important that you ensure that there is only one DHCP server on a network. Otherwise they will be fighting over
devices, and cause malfunctioning of the system. This is the reason ZerOS consoles do not have a DHCP server built
in - you can ensure you build just one dedicated device into the network to act as a DHCP server, if required.
Not only do DHCP servers assign devices an IP address and subnet, they also assign devices with other information,
such as a router IP, and DNS.
Another benefit of a a DHCP Server will also ensure that it never allocates two devices the same IP address, always
ensuring each device has its own unique address.
DHCP Servers will build up a list of devices they can see on the network, and then store this to their own internal
memory. This means if you switch a DHCP server off and back on again, it will reassign the devices back to the IP
addresses it had assigned them previously.
MAC Address Reservation
MAC addresses (Media Access Control addresses), is the hardware address of a NIC (Network Interface Controller).
For example, a ZerOS console's Ethernet port NIC will have a MAC address, and your smart phone's Wi-Fi NIC will
have a MAC Address. Typically, these cannot be changed, and are unique to the device.
When a DHCP server sees a MAC address on the network, it builds up a list of the IP addresses it has assigned to
each MAC address. Most DHCP servers give the ability for MAC address reservation, meaning whenever the DHCP
server sees that device, it always assigns it the same defined IP.
Leasing
Part of the DHCP protocol, is "leasing". This is the amount of time a DHCP server allocates a device an IP and subnet.
Typically, this is automatically renewed by the DHCP server and the device remains on the same IP address it was
previously, if the DHCP server sees the device is still online. The lease can also be requested to be renewed by the
device.
Link Local Address
Sometimes, you may see a device on a network, with an IP of 169.254.x.x. If you do, this device is using a "Link Local
Address", and means it is expecting to receive an IP address and subnet from a DHCP server, but hasn't.
ZerOS Network Settings
Zero 88 - ZerOS - Page 208 of 233 Printed: 23/11/2020 12:50:03 JH
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