Understanding and using DHCP

Pt. 2 of 10 | 3:13 |

Understanding your Home Network Router

Tuesday July 14, 2009

setting up your home network

each computer and device that accesses the network must have it's own IP address. If you want to get really involved with

managing the IP addresses

on your home network, you can

assign IP addresses and IP address leases manually

. For most of us though, it's much easier to turn this job over to a process called

dynamic host configuration protocol or DHCP

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Show Notes

- Each computer or device on your wireless network needs an IP address.

- You can

assign IP addresses manually

or you can have them assigned by

DHCP

.

-

DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol

.

- DHCP will automatically assign IP addresses to computers, mobile devices like iPhones and BlackBerry's, and anything else that utilizes your network.

- Local IP address refers to the IP address of the router.

- Make sure you set DHCP so it's enabled.

- You can set the starting IP address, but only the last set of numbers.

- The IP addresses will have to start with 192.168.1. and you can pick any number you like to be the starting point for assigning IP addresses.

- Most users will make the start address an even number like 100, 200, 300, and so on.

- You can indicate how many IP addresses DHCP can assign.

- Don't set this number too low because more and more devices can use your network.

- Be sure to set your correct time and time zone and correct for daylight savings time.

- When you're finished be sure you Save your changes.

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