Changing IPs to fixed - do I now need DHCP? 1

[DanielUK]

Hi,

I've run our windows 2000 network using DHCP for the last few years but we're getting a new sales processing system that requires fixed IPs on the clients it is run from on the LAN.

Seen as we don't have that may workstations, circa 15, it's not much of a job to make them fixed but I'm wondering if I should disable DHCP on the server now or keep it and make reservations or exclusions for all the fixed IPs on the LAN?

Thanks

Dan

 

[Davetoo]

I would definately keep DHCP and make reservations for the 15 that require fixed IP's.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

 

[DanielUK]

OK, will do.

Am I correct in saying that reservations (as opposed to exclusions) mean the client still contacts the DHCP server but is allocated the fixed IP based on its MAC address?

If so, then I guess i don't have to put in a fixed IP on each workstation's network settings...although I will have to work out the Mac address of each client now!

Thanks

Dan

 

[Davetoo]

Correct...put the MAC address in the Reservations of DHCP and that MAC address will always get the same IP then, that way you don't have to touch the workstation to hardcode an IP.

You can use arp -a to see the MAC's, so if you just ping each workstation then run arp -a, you'll have everything you need.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

 

[DanielUK]

Thanks Davetoo, you've saved me a lot of time!

Dan