Using DHCP Services: Overview

Allows for dynamically allocating IP addresses and hostnames.

Automatically supplies most of the networking defaults that are requested during a system installation or first time boot.

Provides for on-going IP address maintenance via a concept of an "IP address lease". Having a lease on an IP address means that if the system "goes away" for a specified period of time without renewing the lease, then that IP address can be given to a different system that request a new IP address lease.

Assists in reestablishing valid network parameters when a system has been moved from one DHCP-managed network to another.

When a range of currently unused IP addresses can be allocated for use during new system bring-up.

When the IP address-to-hostname mapping can be made ahead of time (before the system to use it is installed). And this mapping can be configured in the name services database before installing a system.

When the IP address and hostname that get assigned to a system are not important. A system will keep the same IP address and hostname for as long as it renews the lease. However the original assignment is arbitrary.

When the person installing the systems does not desire to choose a hostname for the system, but rather accepts the one already registered for the IP address supplied by DHCP. This will ensure that the system will be recognized immediately by its hostname.

When existing systems that did not use DHCP before will continue not to use it. Or, if they did, they would be willing to accept an arbitrary hostname and IP address. This is the same as a with a new system. There currently is no tool available for pre-loading the DHCP database with existing IP addresses and identifying the systems they belong to. A tool to do this may be available in a future release.