DHCP

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) automatically assigns a permanent IP address and other network configuration parameters to each device on a network – regardless of the network socket to which it is connected. For example, DHCP is used for the University of Vienna’s Wi-Fi network.

Requesting DHCP

IT representatives can request DHCP for their organisational unit's network. A prerequisite is that the network is fully documented in the IP database.

Using DHCP in the network

Using DHCP in the network has two advantages:

  • You can easily connect new and mobile computers to the network.
  • It is not necessary to manually configure every computer again, if there have been changes to the network.

DHCP links every MAC address of a computer with a specific, permanent IP address. Therefore, the IP representative has to record every change to the MAC address (for example by changing the network card) in the IP database.

For every computer on the network, you can individually specify whether it uses DHCP or not. This also applies to computers that users manage themselves. 

We do not recommend using DHCP for servers, as possible DHCP malfunctions might affect the safe operations of the server.