For convenient interaction of individual machines, we propose to combine them into a local network. This way you will be able to:
- access the Internet from one or another PC using one single connection;
- exchange files and print documents on one printer.
Enabling DHCP simplifies setting up any network
In addition, you will be able to remotely control any computer that is part of the network. An ADSL modem or built-in router will help organize this opportunity. All you need to do is enable DHCP on the network adapter of each PC and start the modem or router service of the same name. The device will act as a server. The great thing is that setting up DHCP will not cause problems even for an unprepared user.
How to enable DHCP? This question interests many users, because few have encountered it before. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol - this is how the above abbreviation is translated. This is a special configuration protocol that provides the ability to automatically configure computers. It helps them interact with each other.
Enable DHCP
Before you start creating a network between your computers, you need to enable the DHCP server service on your router or modem. If you do not know how to do this, please refer to the operating instructions for your device. After activating the service, it needs to be rebooted. Next, you need to check whether the DHCP client service is running on all computers. This is quite easy to do. In Windows Vista and Windows 7, you just need to type the command services.msc in the search that appears above the Start button after clicking it. Press Enter. In the window that opens, you can enable or disable DHCP. The service startup type must be automatic, otherwise it needs to be made that way. As for Windows XP, the above command must be entered into the input field, which can be called up by pressing Ctrl + R. Having found the corresponding line, right-click on it and select “Properties”, then set the “Startup type” field to “Automatic” . Click "OK" and restart your PC. By the way, by performing the same steps in reverse order, the service can be disabled.
The next step is to find the mentioned service on the network adapter in the connection settings. To do this, use the Ncpa.cpl command in the above fields depending on the operating system. If you are not used to using such commands, you will find connection settings in the Control Panel. Right-click and go to “Properties” of the connection that is related to your local network. To avoid confusion, network adapters that are obviously not used in creating a shared connection can be disabled. Select "TCP/IPv4" - "Properties". Set the IP address and DNS values to be obtained automatically and click OK. After all this, it is recommended to restart your computer.
As you can see, setting up DHCP is quite simple, so even a novice PC user can easily connect several computers into one network. If you no longer need to share your PCs, you can disable the service using all the steps above.
The dhcp protocol is a kind of artery of every local network and at the same time a “favorite peeve” of most novice system administrators. Moreover, they remember its existence only at the moment when the computer does not receive an IP address via dhcp, and the system annoyingly informs the user about the problem that has arisen.
So here we will look at how dhcp works and what to do when “dhcp is not enabled on the network adapter” when connecting via LAN.
dhcp service assignment
It will be quite difficult to understand the question “how to enable dhcp on a network adapter” without understanding what this service is generally intended for. The fact is that dhcp is configured both on any network computer and on the server (or network equipment performing its functions), respectively, and there are plenty of possible reasons for a software failure: from a “crooked” operating system to a faulty router.
How does dhcp work?
The principle of dhcp operation can be roughly represented as an email message between a client (or a computer connected to a local network) and a server (router). At the same time, the role of letters here is played by special system messages, with the help of which the device is “authorized” on the computer network.
The DHCP protocol literally stands for “Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.” In general, it acts as an alternative to manually setting up a local network: the device receives connection parameters directly from the server using special commands.
Thus, for a new device to correctly connect to a local (LAN) or global (WAN) network, it needs a number of unique parameters that ensure the identification of a given network node.
In particular, each computer receives, as well as a subnet mask, DNS server address, etc.
Of course, you can enter network connection data manually (for example, with ), but in most cases it is much easier to receive them automatically from the dhcp server.
In this case, when connecting to a network, the computer first “asks permission” from the server (which is usually a router) using a system message DHCPDISCOVER.
To which the server responds with a message DHCPOFFER, in which all the network settings necessary for the client are encrypted.
The computer receives such a “send”, extracts from it data about the IP address assigned to it (subnet mask, etc.) and stores it in the settings of the network card (adapter). After which it informs the server that it is ready to connect to the network using a message DHCPREQUEST.
The server checks the specified configuration parameters and, if there are no errors, responds with the message DHCPACK, which allows client authorization on the network.
Thus, to automatically obtain a dhcp IP address you need to:
Configure dhcp on the router (otherwise the “server” will not be able to respond to requests from the “client”);
Start the dhcp service on the computer;
Set the network adapter to automatically obtain an IP address.
How to enable dhcp on a router?
Configuring dhcp on the router is done through the device’s web interface. To do this you need:
Connect the router to the computer using a network cable (supplied with the device);
And set there a static IP address from the router range;
The router's static IP address is indicated on the service label stuck on the back panel of the device. In most cases, this is a combination of numbers 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1, respectively, the static IP of the network adapter can be 192.168.0.2 or 192.168.1.2
Open any Internet browser, enter the router’s IP (from the factory sticker) in the address bar and press “Enter”
In the authentication window, enter user data (with factory settings admin/admin)
Here you should go to the “Local Network Settings” section (“LAN Settings”) and check the “Enable DHCP server” (or “DHCP server” -> allow access) checkbox.
How to enable dhcp on windows 7/windows 8?
The next step is to enable the dhcp client on your PC. To do this, press Win+R, in the window that opens, enter the command “services.msc” and click “Ok”.
The “Services” window will open, where you should find the “dhcp client” service and check that the “Status” column says “Running” and the “Startup Type” column says “Automatic”.
If dhcp is not enabled on the network adapter:
Right-click on the highlighted line;
Select “Properties” from the context menu;
Start the dhcp client service using the Start button.
The reason that the dhcp service does not start may be a damaged network card driver (for example, when the computer is infected with viruses) or an operating system failure. In this case, it is recommended to scan your PC using a good antivirus and update the network driver (from the manufacturer’s disk or website). As a last resort, reinstalling Windows 7 can solve the problem.
Also, if the dhcp client does not start, you should check that the local network adapter itself is working correctly.
To do this, go to “Control Panel” -> “Hardware and Sound” and in the upper right corner click “Device Manager”. Here you need to make sure that the network card is in the list of active devices, and its name matches the actual name.
dhcp is not enabled on the ethernet network adapter
Finally, you should configure the network adapter to dynamically obtain an IP address on the local network. To do this, check the box next to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically”
and be sure to click “Ok” in all open windows.
dhcp client: access denied
Also, the reason that the computer does not receive an IP address via dhcp may be dhcp incompatibility. Typically, this situation occurs when:
There are two DHCP servers on the same network;
The DHCP server tries to give the new device an IP address that already exists on the network.
A DHCP address conflict is possible if an IP is assigned manually on a computer.
It is well known that in order to work with the network, each device, be it a computer, laptop, tablet or phone, must have a specific electronic identifier - an IP address, as well as configured mask, gateway and DNS server information. When connecting, the network interface immediately tries to obtain this address from special equipment that automatically distributes addresses. If such equipment is not found, the user must enter the network parameters manually. If there are many computers on the network, then addressing errors and duplication of addresses are possible, leading to system failures and slowing down the performance of the network as a whole. In a home network, in the absence of automatic distribution of addresses, you have to manually set network parameters on each device to connect, for example, to a router. Not every user has sufficient knowledge and experience to correctly change such settings. Therefore, at home, many users also try to deploy automatic address distribution, that is, deploy a DHCP server.
DHCP - what is it?
Let's look into this issue. To avoid addressing errors, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) was implemented. This is a function that dynamically distributes network settings to connected client machines. If the settings on these devices are set to “obtain an IP address only from a DHCP server” and the DHCP service is enabled, then all responsibility for correctly configuring the network parameters on client computers is transferred to the DHCP server. This significantly reduces the cost of network support and management, and also helps to avoid errors in the distribution of addresses. A service that includes DHCP starts automatically by default when you turn on any device that supports wired or wireless network interfaces. For example, on tablets or phones it is enough to turn on Wi-Fi and among the found devices that distribute the Internet, find yours and connect to it. At the same time, automatic distribution of addresses eliminates IP duplication and, as a result, helps to avoid network conflicts.
How addresses are distributed
When any client device connects to the network, a special broadcast request is sent to the network in order to search for a DHCP server distributing parameters for this network. What kind of server is this and why is it important for a large network? This is the name of the device that is responsible for distributing addresses to computers on the network for automatically using them on various clients. If such a server is present, then it creates a packet with a response to the client’s request, which may include settings such as IP address, network mask, gateway parameters, DNS server addresses, domain name, etc. and sends this packet to the client device . The client receives an acknowledgment signal from the DHCP server. The generated data packet is standardized, so it can be decrypted and used by almost any operating system.
The parameters issued by the server for the client device have a limited configurable validity period, which has its own name - “lease time”. Addresses issued by the server are analyzed for matches with valid addresses with unexpired lease time, so duplication of addresses is excluded. Usually the rental period is short - from several hours to 4-6 days. After this period has expired, the device repeats the request to the server and receives from it the same address (if it is still free) or any free one.
Client settings to receive automatic network settings in Windows
In order for the client to receive network parameters in response from DHCP, you need to check several settings in the Computer Control Panel (discussed using the Windows operating system as an example). To do this, go to the Start menu, then go to the Control Panel (which needs to be switched to the classic view) and select “Network Connections”. Select the network connection that is planned to work with DHCP, right-click on it and go to “Properties”. In the window that opens, go to TCP/IP Internet Protocol Properties. DHCP - what is it? This is getting automatic network parameters. Therefore, we mark with dots the options for automatically obtaining an IP address and DNS. Having made a choice, click “Ok”. The DHCP configuration on the client is complete. Now the device will receive an address from the DHCP server automatically when Windows starts.
Setting up DHCP in Windows 7 is set up similarly, but the location of the adapter properties is slightly different from Windows XP. We also go to Start - Control Panel - Network and Sharing Center. Select “Change adapter settings” in the left menu. Next - similar to the above for settings in Windows XP.
Setting up automatic address distribution in other operating systems
On Linux or Android devices, connecting with a DHCP server deployed on the network is no problem. All you need to do is turn on the network interface (wired or wireless), wait until data is exchanged between the device and the DHCP server, and make sure that the network settings are received and applied successfully. DHCP services are enabled by default on almost all devices.
If the connection does not occur, then you need to check the status of automatic reception of addresses. For example, on Android OS, for this you need to go to Settings - Wireless networks - Wi-Fi Settings - Advanced and make sure that the "use static IP address" option is disabled.
Data sent by DHCP
DHCP options are parameters that are passed from the server to the client. All these passed parameters are divided into categories. There are required options, such as IP address and netmask. There are non-configurable service options that, for example, show the beginning and end of options in the transmitted packet. At their core, options are typical value-key pairs that can be seen and configured in security policies.
The main DHCP parameters in the packet, in addition to the IP address and mask, are 3 (Gateways), 6 (Domain Name Servers), 44 (NBT Name Servers), 46 (NBT Node Type). These parameters are group parameters, that is, they can have several values. For example, there may be multiple gateway addresses or DNS servers. Option values are configured in the DHCP server settings.
DHCP settings on the server
Before configuring the settings, you need to make some calculations about the basic DHCP options. What kind of options are these? - you ask. Options are all those network parameters that are passed from the server to the client. The two main options are the range of distributed addresses and the subnet mask. The entire range of addresses of an organization is usually divided into several segments intended for various tasks, such as telecommunications, static server addresses, etc. To prevent static addresses from participating in distribution, creating additional load on the server, the ranges of distributed addresses can be limited. For example, with the operating range 192.168.1.1-192.168.1.254, you can define addresses from 1 to 10 for communications, from 11 to 30 for servers, and for DHCP you can allocate a range from 31 to 254. That is, any address from the server issued to the client will only lie in this range. You can also configure exception addresses in the distributed range, and they too will not be distributed to client devices.
Next, before setting up a DHCP server, you need to decide what options it will also distribute. Is there a need to distribute, for example, gateway or DNS parameters. After this, the data is entered on the server, its activation starts and the server begins distributing addresses.
Home DHCP server
At home, routers are often used as a DHCP server, which distribute the content received from the provider to home appliances - computers, laptops, phones, TVs and other devices connected to the network wired or wirelessly. In this case, something like a virtual server is created that distributes addresses to users. From the outside, it looks as if one user opened several pages in a browser on one computer. In this case, only one router is actually connected to the external network. This allows you to significantly save on the number of connected lines.
Setting up automatic addressing on the router
To set up automatic distribution of addresses to home devices, you need to connect the router to your computer (laptop) with a network cable. In any browser we enter the router address (usually 192.168.0.1). In the proposed login and password request fields, by default, enter “admin” (often this data is indicated in the router’s operating manual). As a result, we will see the router settings menu. We go to the Lan or Network sections (the names may differ) and find a submenu with DHCP settings.
How to enable address distribution on the router? Simply check the box next to enable DHCP and reboot the router.
Configuring a DHCP router
If the default settings are not satisfactory, you can change the configuration parameters. In the same menu where we enabled the address distribution function, you can enter the IP address distribution range, for example 192.153.0.1 – 192.153.0.3. For work, you can specify only two addresses, for example, for a laptop and a mobile phone. This limits the number of concurrent devices, which is the simplest way to secure the connection.
Having created the basic settings, you need to save them and reboot the router. Immediately after the reboot, the settings will take effect.
Before you disable DHCP, you need to make sure that your devices have static addresses. To disable automatic distribution, you need to uncheck the DHCP option in the router settings, save the changes and reboot the device.
Every day the number of questions about computers is increasing. And many of them are primarily connected to the World Wide Web. Among the questions that many users ask, the DHCP service is often mentioned. How to install and configure it? After reading what is written below, you will understand why this server is needed and how to work with it.
Basic information about DHCP
Absolutely every user whose computer runs Windows server type is able to install a service such as a DHCP server. However, sometimes such a process is accompanied by some problems. In this regard, the operating system described above has a concept that makes authorization using Active Directory possible. This occurs immediately before servicing requests received from the client. If the server that is part of the domain is not authorized in Active Directory, the service will not be able to start.
A service called DHCP Servers can only be installed on a computer that is managed by Windows. In order to install such a server, you will need the following:
1. Go to “Add or Remove Programs”, which is located in the “Control Panel”.
2. You will need to select the “Add and remove components” tab, which is located in the left panel.
3. After this, the “Component Wizard” should start. You will need to click on the “Next” button.
4. You should select a section such as “Network Services” and click on the button called “Composition”.
5. You will need to select the “Dynamic Host Configuration” entry and click on the “Ok” button.
6. After this, you will need to click on the “Done” button, and then on the “Close” item.
Now we can say that the DHCP server for Windows XP and other systems of a similar family is completely installed.
How to go through the service authorization procedure?
1. Go through the registration procedure, accepting the rights of a member of the Enterprise Administrators group.
2. Open the server snap-in through the “Administration” tab, which is located in the “Start” menu in all programs.
3. Select the equipment element that is the root. You need to right-click on it and find the command called “Browse authorized servers”.
4. After this, all services will be shown. To add a new DHCP server, you will need to click on the “Add” button.
5. Enter data (IP address of the new server or its name). After this, click on the “Ok” button.
6. Then you will need to close everything by clicking on the appropriate button.
After the parameters that the DHCP server has are updated, the red arrow will change its color to green. Please note that the update procedure may take several minutes.
What needs to be done to configure the server?
The installed server should be configured using a special utility called DHCP Manager. It will need to be installed after the installation of the corresponding service. So, how is a DHCP server configured?
1. You need to open the previously installed program. DHCP Manager is located in the “Administration” tab.
2. Having found the inscription “Local computer”, you will need to double-click on it with the right mouse button.
3. You must select the “Create” command, which is located in the menu called “Area”.
4. It will open. You will need to enter the following type of information: initial address, final address. Accordingly, when entering this data, the user outlines the boundaries of the client’s use. You will also need to enter those initial and final addresses that you want to exclude from the range. You will also need to enter data regarding the only address that is excluded from the general range, the time of its use, and name.
5. After entering any comments, you will need to click on the “Ok” button.
6. When prompted to make the range active, you will need to click the “Yes” button.
Now you know how to configure a DHCP server. We hope that this information is useful to you.
How to enable the required service properly?
So, the main parameters that the DHCP server has were examined in as much detail as possible. How to enable it? Before you do this, you will need to understand that the DHCP service refers to a special protocol that is necessary to automatically assign IP addresses to personal computers. Accordingly, connection to the World Wide Web will also depend on this server.
You will need to run the computer as administrator. Then you need to go to the Start menu. In the line called “Run” you must enter a command such as napclcfg.msc, and then click on the “OK” key. After the corresponding window opens, you will need to make a choice in favor of an item such as “Forced protection clients”. In the list that opens, select the required forced DHCP). By right-clicking on it, you need to select the “Enable” command.
What to do if there is a need to combine several computers into one network?
Sometimes several PCs have to be combined into one network. And in order not to manually assign IP addresses, the DHCP service is used. This is done as follows:
1. You need to set your personal computer to receive an IP address in automatic mode.
2. Once it has loaded, you will be asked to provide an address.
3. A similar request will be received by absolutely all computers that are on the same network. However, the response to it will only be generated by the DHCP server. It is he who will provide the computer with the address that is free. Data about the mask, gateway address, etc. will also be transmitted.
4. The computer, after receiving all the necessary parameters, will be able to apply them. Naturally, after a reboot, the request will be sent again. Accordingly, a new IP address will be obtained.
What needs to be done to configure the service through the router?
You should take a closer look at how to enable the router's DHCP server. To do this, you will need to go to the device itself and start setting up the IP address.
1. The Router>en command allows you to obtain privileged status.
2. The Router#conf t command will help you access the global configuration.
3. By entering Router(config)#inf fa0/1, you can enter the interface configuration mode.
4. By entering Router(config-if)#ip address, you can set the IP address. The subnet mask will also be specified.
5. The inscription Router(config-if)#no shut will allow you to shut down the interface.
6. Typing a command such as Router(config-if)#exit will return you to the global configuration menu.
How to properly configure the server itself?
After all the above points have been completed, you can proceed to setting up the server. It is he who will distribute all the necessary parameters to computers.
1. Using the Router(config)#ip dhcp pool test command, you can create pool addresses that will be named Test.
2. Using the Router(dhcp-config)#network command, the subnet will be specified. It is to this that the IP address is distributed.
3. Using the Router(dhcp-config)#default-router command, a parameter such as default-gateway will be transferred to a specific computer.
4. allows you to transfer a parameter specific to the DNS network.
5. Using the Router(dhcp-config)#exit command, you can return to the global configuration menu.
But what if you don’t need to distribute absolutely all addresses?
Quite often, when setting up, for example, a DHCP server on Windows 7, there is a desire to distribute not all the addresses that are on the subnet, but only some of them. In this case, everything must be set statically. This can usually be attributed to servers. Additionally, a router-specific address should not always be given out to anyone. An example can be given of how, using one command, you can select certain addresses that are not necessary to distribute.
When setting up a DHCP server on Windows 7, you can enter something like Router(config)#ip dhcp excluded-address. It allows you to remove from the distribution all addresses that are in a certain range. If you then turn on the computer, which is adjusted to automatically issue addresses, you can see that it received the IP address that is currently free.
Is there any other way to configure the service correctly?
Now you know what a router's DHCP server is and how you can configure it. But there is another configuration method that applies to Cisco model devices.
If there are a large number of different subnets and you want to ensure that all addresses are distributed centrally through the use of one server, then you will not need to configure the server on the device, but indicate where it is located. As an example, you can demonstrate the following set of commands that will help achieve your goal:
1. Router(config)#int fa0/1. This command allows you to enter the settings of the interface, which records all computer calls.
2. Router(config-if)#ip helper-address. By typing something like this, you can indicate the address where the server we need is located. Accordingly, access to this server must be granted to a specific router. In addition, the configuration of the pool of addresses that will be distributed must be completely completed.
A similar scheme, which allows you to configure a DHCP server for Linux, Windows, Cisco, assigns the router itself the role of an intermediary. If a request is received from a specific computer, the device will simply forward it to the server that was specified in the command. It will also deliver the request in the opposite direction.
Don't be intimidated by the complexity of installing a service
We hope that this review has helped you understand all the questions that interest you and understand what a server like DHCP is, why it is needed and how to configure it. Everything in fact turns out to be even simpler than described in the article. Therefore, if you have a need to configure and install the service, then you can safely read the review and take action. Good luck in your activities!
What errors might cause the server settings to fail to be saved?
When working with the DHCP server, you may encounter the following errors:
1. The change to the basic settings was assigned incorrectly.
2. Addresses were entered incorrectly.
3. The user entered the wrong subnet mask.
4. The router address was entered incorrectly.
5. The router address does not correspond to the range that is typical for the subnet.
6. The domain was set incorrectly.
7. The DNS server was not specified correctly.
8. The user inaccurately entered the address where the time server is located.
9. An error occurred while entering or adjusting ranges.
10. IP addresses were created inaccurately.
11. The final address was entered inaccurately.
12. It was not possible to add the required range.
13. Until all addresses are specified correctly, the range will not be added.
14. A range has been entered whose parameters match the parameters of an existing range in the DHCP server.
These are the main errors that many users most often encounter. Remember that everything must be done carefully and thoroughly, so that you do not have to subsequently correct the previously entered data.
It is unlikely that we will be able to open America by saying that before connecting a computer to the Internet via a TCP/IP network, it is first necessary to configure the DHCP network protocol. What can I say? It is he who is responsible for ensuring that the PC automatically receives an IP address and other necessary parameters for full use of the Internet. By default, this protocol is activated automatically in Windows. True, it doesn’t always work. In this case, you have to think about how to manually enable DHCP in Windows 7. And doing this is actually not difficult.
Method No. 1: Launch through the “Services” option
Based on the DHCP client-server model of action, you can enable this network protocol in Windows 7 through the Services service. In this case, you must initially go to the “Start” menu, go to the “Control Panel” section, and in it select the “Administration” tab:
Next, in the list that opens, find and click the “Services” item so that the window for the corresponding service appears. After it has opened, look for the DHCP client service in it and launch it by clicking the corresponding button in the menu on the left:
The next step is to check the service startup type. Ideally, it should start automatically. If this is not the case, right-click on the DHCP client item, select the “Properties” tab in the menu that appears, set the startup type to automatic and save the settings by clicking OK:
As a result of such actions, the network protocol in OS Windows 7 will work automatically, without requiring additional settings.
Method No. 2: Configuration through the “Network and Sharing Center”
It is no more difficult to debug the operation of the network protocol in the client-server model by setting the parameters for connecting to the local network in the Network Control Center. In this case, the procedure will be as follows:
As a result, we can immediately start working on the Internet, because all the necessary DHCP settings are thus entered into OS Windows 7. If you wish, of course, you can check the functionality of the service using the command line.
How to enter it in Windows 7? In different ways, for example, by pressing the and R buttons on the keyboard, launch the “Run” utility and enter the cmd.exe task into it. One way or another, after entering the “Command Line”, all that remains is to enter the value ipconfig /all in it, confirm the entry by pressing Enter and check the connection settings, including the DHCP operating parameters. That's all!