HP N1200-320 - Manual (Page 117)

N1200-320 4Gb Network Storage Router user and service guide 117
E Enabling DHCP on the HP N1200-320 4Gb
Network Storage Router
DHCP, or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, is an open industry standard that simplifies administering
networks based on Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). DHCP allows network
resources to go farther by enabling a unique IP address to be assigned to a specific device (network
storage router, client host, etc.) on a non-permanent, dynamic basis.
DHCP makes network administration easier—the larger the network, the greater the benefit. DHCP
accommodates larger networks because it can assign temporary IP addresses for a specified time interval.
DHCP frees network administrators from having to configure each network storage router or host
manually.
Other benefits of a DHCP environment include:
• No additional address configuration is required for client hosts.
• IP addresses can be reused or leased for specific time periods.
• IP address assignment is better managed. For example, if the IP address for an network storage router
in a network changes and 250 client computers have to be updated with the new address, you do not
have to manually reconfigure every workstation.
Without DHCP, permanent IP address configuration is the only option. This means a network
administrator is required to manually configure a permanent IP address for each individual network
storage router or client host. Permanent IP addresses require more network resources, but are useful when
dealing with smaller LAN environments. Without dynamic address assignment, network storage routers
and hosts have to be configured manually one by one. IP addresses must be managed to avoid duplicate
use, and changes must be applied to clients by hand. Configuration information is not centralized, and it
is difficult to get a view of all network storage router or host configurations.
The use of TCP/IP and DHCP both contribute to networking and the growth of the Internet. TCP/IP uses
open protocol standards that enable the forming of wide area networks (WANS). For each network
storage router to identify itself on a TCP/IP network, it must be uniquely identified by the following
information:
1. An IP address: a 32-bit field composed of four octets (8-bit numbers from 0 through 255). Each
address has decimal notation to separate octet numbers, such as 208.24.132.184.
Your DHCP server may allow you to set up a lease reservation for an IP address by providing the
server with the Ethernet MAC address of the network storage router. This sets the DHCP server to
always provide the same IP address to the network storage router. This setup can be useful for remote
management of the network storage router via Telnet or Visual Manager. Because the method of
setting up a lease reservation varies depending on the DHCP server being used, it is recommended
you contact your Network Administrator for assistance.
2. A subnet mask: This indicates how the IP address is to be read. It also indicates how to separate the
network identifying information from the network storage router identifying information so the IP
address can be interpreted correctly. For example, if a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 is applied for
an address 10.85.189.24, it indicates that the unique network storage router address is 24, located
on the 10.85.189 subnetwork.
3. A default gateway: This is used to specify the address for the nearest network storage router that is
used by the host device to forward addressed packets on to the network.
These previous three options (IP address, subnet mask, and gateway) are necessary for effective DHCP.