Network Settings - DHCP Server

Overview

The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) allows hosts on a network to request and be assigned IP addresses. This service eliminates the need to manually configure new hosts that join your network.

Installation

If you did not select this module to be included during the installation process, you must first install the module.

Configuration

Global Settings

Status

You can enable and disable the DHCP server at any time.

Authoritative

Unless you are running more than one DHCP on your network, enable Authoritative mode. When this is enabled, then DHCP requests on unknown leases from unknown hosts will not be ignored. This will be the case when a foreign laptop is plugged into your network.

Domain Name

The server can auto-configure the default domain name for systems using DHCP on your network. You can either use a registered domain (for example: example.com) or you can simply make one up (for example: lan). Example:

• A desktop system on your local network has a system name scooter and uses DHCP.
• The domain name specified in the DHCP server is example.com.
• On startup, the desktop system appends example.com to its system name. Its full hostname would become scooter.example.com.

Subnet Configuration

In a typical installation, the DHCP server is configured on all LAN interfaces. To add/edit DHCP settings for a particular network interface, click on the appropriate add/edit button. The following screenshot highlights the button for adding DHCP settings for the eth1 network interface.

Network, Netmask and Broadcast

The network, netmask and broadcast are automatically detected. In almost all circumstances, you want to use these detected default values.

IP Ranges

Keep a range of IP addresses available for systems and services that require static addresses. For instance, VPN and some types of network printers require static IP addresses.

In a typical local area network, the first 99 IP addresses are set aside for static addresses while the remaining addresses from 100 to 254 are set aside for the systems using the DHCP server. Adjust these settings to suit your needs and your network.

DNS Address

The server can auto-configure the DNS settings for systems using DHCP on your network. By default, the IP address of the caching DNS server on your ClarkConnect system is used. You should change this setting if you want to use an alternate DNS server.

WINS Address

If you have a Microsoft Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS) server on your network, you can provide the IP address to all Windows computers on your network. This will allow Windows systems to access resources via Network Neighborhood. You can enter the LAN IP address of your ClarkConnect system here if you have enabled the WINS server on ClarkConnect.

Active and Static Leases

A list of systems that are actively using the DHCP server is shown in the Active Leases table. If you would like to make a DHCP lease for a particular system permanent, you can click on the appropriate Add button in this list. In the screenshot below, the button to add 192.168.2.212/Scooter as a static lease is shown.

Common Errors

• You should only have one (1) DHCP server per network.
• Enabling DHCP on your Internet connection is not a good idea.

Links

• Dnsmasq Documentation