ZyXEL Communications Plumbing Product metrogigabit switch User Manual
MGS3700-12C User’s Guide
349
C
H A P T E R
3 7
DHCP
This chapter shows you how to configure the DHCP feature.
37.1 DHCP Overview
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol RFC 2131 and RFC 2132) allows
individual computers to obtain TCP/IP configuration at start-up from a server. You
can configure the Switch as a DHCP server or a DHCP relay agent. When
configured as a server, the Switch provides the TCP/IP configuration for the
clients. If you configure the Switch as a relay agent, then the Switch forwards
DHCP requests to DHCP server on your network. If you don’t configure the Switch
as a DHCP server or 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.
individual computers to obtain TCP/IP configuration at start-up from a server. You
can configure the Switch as a DHCP server or a DHCP relay agent. When
configured as a server, the Switch provides the TCP/IP configuration for the
clients. If you configure the Switch as a relay agent, then the Switch forwards
DHCP requests to DHCP server on your network. If you don’t configure the Switch
as a DHCP server or 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.
37.1.1 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.
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.
37.1.2 DHCP Configuration Options
The DHCP 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:
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
• 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.