DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, and allows client machines to obtain their TCP/IP network configuration information from the Vicomsoft's DHCP Server automatically, instead of requiring manual setup. This reduces considerably the work required to set client machines up, and reduces the likelihood of configuration errors.

Vicomsoft's DHCP Server provides this configuration service to TCP/IP client systems, such as Windows 95/98/NT, MacOS & UNIX.

The DHCP Server can hand out up to 1024 simultaneous client addresses. DHCP clients are issued with addresses on one hour lease (this default can be adjusted if required), renewable during the lease period. BootP clients (e.g. MacTCP) are issued addresses indefinitely.

When a client needs to start up TCP/IP operations, it broadcasts a request for address information. The DHCP Server assigns a new address and sends it to the client together with the address of a router or gateway on the same network as the DHCP Server and the subnet mask for that network. This information is acknowledged by the client, and used to set up its configuration.

The DHCP Server is fully configurable, and allows for the allocation on TCP/IP information dynamically, or using preconfigured tables of information, allowing for the maximum of flexibility.

Click on one of the images below to see an example of the DHCP Server setup screen:

Windows	MacOS

This diagram shows the manual configuration screen of the DHCP server, with the two ranges of IP numbers that have been configured to be allocated. A facility exists for allocating specific IP addresses to specific clients, if necessary.

If you want to know more about DHCP Server, see the Vicomsoft KnowledgeShare document on DHCP.

Because all of the TCP/IP configuration information is issued by the DHCP server, the client configurations are extremely easy, with NO manual configuration requiring any IP numbers.

This reduces any chances of client misconfiguration and ensures maximum compatibility with any client applications. There are no proprietary third-party configurations required at any step.

Click on one of the images below to see how easy TCP/IP configuration is:

Windows	MacOS

Other TCP/IP configurations can be made using various platforms, but as long as the client system follows TCP/IP standards, they should be compatible. Contact Vicomsoft if you require further information on configuration issues with other systems.