Siemens 5881 User Manual

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SIEMENS 5881 Broadband Internet Router
User’s Guide
Chapter 5  Advanced Setup
DHCP
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DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a communication protocol that allocates IP address 
automatically to any DHCP client requesting an IP address. A DHCP client can be any device attached to your 
network, for example, a PC. (Note that DHCP is effective only if the TCP/IP is installed on the DHCP client.)
The router can act as a DHCP server, automatically providing a suitable IP address and related information to 
each computer when the computer boots up. Without DHCP, IP addresses must be entered manually at each 
device. 
When configured as a DHCP server, the router acts:
As a DHCP server by assigning IP addresses to workstations attached to the LAN that issue DHCP address 
requests. Before responding to a DHCP client request, the router’s DHCP server attempts to locate other 
active DHCP servers on the network, such as Windows NT servers. If one is detected or if a DHCP server on 
the WAN has been explicitly specified, the router’s DHCP server disables itself. 
As a DHCP client by requesting that an IP address be assigned to the WAN side port of the router.
As a relay by passing through client requests from the LAN side onto the WAN asking for IP address 
assignment and relaying responses back to the appropriate client.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), is a TCP/IP service protocol that provides dynamic leasing of IP 
addresses and other configuration information to client hosts on the network. The router can act as a DHCP 
server, automatically providing a suitable IP address and related information to each computer when the 
computer boots up. 
To configure DHCP:
1. Click DHCP in the left navigation pane of the Router Information window. This displays the DHCP 
Configuration page. This page shows the current settings as well as provides a means to change the 
current settings.
2. To change the server status, select Enable or Disable from LAN DHCP Server Status. Disabled, the 
router will not act as a DHCP server.
3. Click Apply.
4. When a PC boots and asks for an IP address, the DHCP server assigns it an address from a pool of 
addresses assigned to the subnetwork where the client request originated. To specify the start and ending