GS1920 Series User’s Guide
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CHAPTER  36
DHCP
36.1  DHCP Overview
This chapter shows you how to configure the DHCP feature.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol RFC 2131 and RFC 2132) allows individual computers 
to obtain TCP/IP configuration at start-up from a server. If you configure the Switch as a DHCP relay 
agent, then the Switch forwards DHCP requests to DHCP server on your network. If you don’t 
configure the Switch as a DHCP relay agent then you must have a DHCP server in the broadcast 
domain of the client computers or else the client computers must be configured manually.
36.1.1  What You Can Do
•Use the DHCPv4 Status screen (Section 36.3 on page 305) to display the relay mode.
•Use the DHCPv4 Relay screen (Section 36.4 on page 305) to enable and configure global 
DHCPv4 relay.
•Use the VLAN Setting screen (Section 36.4.6 on page 311) to configure your DHCPv4 settings 
based on the VLAN domain of the DHCPv4 clients.
•Use the DHCPv6 Relay screen (Section 36.5 on page 314) to enable and configure DHCPv6 
relay.
36.1.2  What You Need to Know
Read on for concepts on DHCP that can help you configure the screens in this chapter.
DHCP Modes
If there is already a DHCP server on your network, then you can configure the Switch as a DHCP 
relay agent. When the Switch receives a request from a computer on your network, it contacts the 
DHCP server for the necessary IP information, and then relays the assigned information back to the 
computer.
DHCPv4 Configuration Options
The DHCPv4 configuration on the Switch is divided into Global and VLAN screens. The screen you 
should use for configuration depends on the DHCP services you want to offer the DHCP clients on 
your network. Choose the configuration screen based on the following criteria:
• Global - The Switch forwards all DHCP requests to the same DHCP server.
• VLAN - The Switch is configured on a VLAN by VLAN basis. The Switch can be configured to relay 
DHCP requests to different DHCP servers for clients in different VLAN.