Whats a DHCP

[Wicked Klown]

What`s a DHCP server? Do I need one to allow two computers to surf, e-mail and play games between the two. Also it`s a D-Link DI-704.

[Maddman]

DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocal. It is what ICS does. It is what allows 1 IP on one side of a router to be used by many machines on the other side of a router.

[Wicked Klown]

ok I guesss I have to enable it huh.

[rogerdugans]

DHCP is Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol ( unless my mind is messing with me again!)

What it does is this: automatically assigns ( called a lease) an ip address to a computer for a period of time, which can be renewed. It is used on many broadband internet connections and large networks. It allows you to network without actually knowing anything about ip addresses, or even what yours is.

It also takes a little bit of time during boot up to "negotiate" for a lease. Small networks don't need it, and a static ip address is a bit faster on bootup, and doesn't use any bandwith renewing the lease ( very minor anyway, but...)

You need to have a dhcp Server to use it (most gateway routers can provide dhcp service); and no, you don't need it to connect, but you will need to configure ip addresses on your pcs if you don't.

I use static ip on my computers, but my gateway router gets my ip from the cable company.

I hope somewhere in that you can find the answer!:p

Finally got off hold, so took a LONG time to post!

[Wicked Klown]

How do I set up the built in Firewall?

[rogerdugans]

Originally posted by Klownin79
How do I set up the built in Firewall?

Built into what: the router, or os?

If its the router- I am not sure with D-Link, but Linksys have the NAT firewall set by default. To get through it (web Server, etc) you have to change settings. Check the manual/website to be sure.

If it is the os (XP is the only Windows I know that has it) I don't know, but I have heard it isn't too good.

If you want third party software, I recommend ZoneAlarm: free for personal use, and it works great!

[Wicked Klown]

It`s in the router. I've used Zonealarm in the past and have had nothing but trouble with it.

[trey_w]

personally, for a small home network, i don't like DHCP.

i would rather use static

but for larger networks, its not bad

the only problen is that if you need to trace down a certain node causing problems like at my school, someone is running a server and hogging all the band width

well, the school uses dhcp, so they say they cant find them, but i did. I found there MAC address. Anyways, dhcp is more cost effective and you can run out of class C ip's from what if the network is too big, and it can be a little more costly, and more problems like at a school, where someone could just plug up a computer instead of having to configure it for static

[Wicked Klown]

For awhile I guess I can use ZoneAlarm. What one would you get Black Ice Defender, Norton`s FireWall 2002 or ZoneAlarm Pro with Pest Control.

[rogerdugans]

I'm not a fan of Norton stuff, and Black Ice was less effective for me than ZoneAlarm; do a search for firewalls in the forums and look there. Its a question that has come up a lot before as well.

[Wicked Klown]

Well from what I just read BID is out. I went to www.grc.com to run the leak test and it talks about BID there.

[trey_w]

zone alarm works well with the linksys router, its built into the firmware

[turd]

here i think you have to read this it explains alot about DHCP (-:|

http://routergod.com/hanktheangrydrunkendwarf/