In our digital age, when we can no longer do without the Internet for a minute, most corporate and home networks are configured with the DHCP protocol (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), which allows the computer to automatically obtain an IP address when connecting to the Internet.
In order to enable or disable DHCP in Windows, you must follow these steps for your version of the operating system.
Note. If you disable DHCP and use a static IP address, make sure you know the correct settings and enter them all correctly. Enter incorrect settings may cause both your internet connection and network connection to stop working.
For Windows 8 and Windows 10
- On desktop computer click Windows keys+ X to open the Power User menu;
- Select the Network Connections option;
- You should see at least two types of network connections: Ethernet and Wi-Fi. Double-click on an active network connection;
- In the network connection status window, click the “Properties” button;
- Click the Internet Protocol Version 4 button and click the Properties button. For Internet Protocol version 6 you may need to perform some additional steps as well.
- If you want to enable DHCP, make sure that the "Obtain an IP address automatically" option is selected, as well as the "Obtain DNS server address" option automatically.
If you want to disable DHCP and enter your own network settings, read the article http://droidov.com/dhcp-chto-eto-takoe for general education and then select the “Use the following IP address” option and enter the information for the IP address, subnet mask and default gateway. Then select the “Use the following DNS server address” option and enter the details of your preferred DNS server. You can also enter a value for an alternate DNS server if you wish.
For Windows Vista and Windows 7
- Open Control Panel.
- Click the Network and Sharing icon.
- In the "View active networks" section, click the "Connect via local network».
- In the Local Area Connection Status window, click the Properties button.
- Highlight the Internet Protocol Version 4 option and click the Properties button. For Internet Protocol version 6 you may need to perform some additional steps.
If you want to disable DHCP and enter your network settings, select the "Use the following IP address" option and enter values for the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway. Also select the "Use the following DNS server address" option and enter a value for your preferred DNS server. You can also enter a value for an alternate DNS server if you wish.
For Windows XP and earlier OS versions
- Open Control Panel.
- Double-click Network Connections.
- Note. Instead, you may see a “Network and Internet Connections” link. In this case, double-click on it and then select “Network Connections”.
- Right-click Local Area Connection and select Properties.
- Highlight the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) option and click the Properties button.
If you want to enable DHCP, make sure that the "Obtain an IP address automatically" and "Obtain a DNS server address" options are selected.
If you want to disable DHCP and set your network settings manually, select the "Use the following IP address" option. Then enter the appropriate values for the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway. Also select the "Use the following DNS server address" option and enter a value for your preferred DNS server. You can also enter a value for an alternate DNS server.
How can I tell if DHCP is currently being used?
A simple way to determine whether DHCP is currently enabled or disabled is to use the ipconfig /all command from command line. When you enter this command for "Ethernet Adapter LAN Connection" one of the lines will tell you whether DHCP is enabled. If enabled, you will see the line
For a modern person, life is not pleasant without the World Wide Web, and problems with the Internet connection are our worst enemies, with whom we are fighting an irreconcilable struggle. This article will equip you with the knowledge to deal with the situation if you receive the error “DHCP is not enabled on the network adapter” when establishing a connection.
What is DHCP?
DHCP is a network protocol that performs the function of automatically configuring TCP/IP network parameters, receiving them upon request from a DHCP server.
In practice, this means the exchange of certain messages between the DHCP client on the device and the server during the establishment of a network connection. During communication, the client receives new or confirms old values of the following network parameters:
IP address for the device;
subnet mask;
Default gateway IP address.
DHCP: how does it work?
The server processes client requests and leases IP addresses from its range for a certain time. If the time runs out, the client either extends the lease period or releases the address, which also happens by exchanging special messages. The server records all requests in its database to avoid address conflicts, that is, not to allocate one address to two nodes at the same time.
An address conflict can still occur if one of the devices on the network has an IP assigned manually. When connecting a new computer, the server may try to give it an address that is already occupied, as a result of which the Internet connection will not be established. How to solve this problem will be discussed further.
The DHCP protocol is widely used because it makes it possible to easily add new computers to the network and change connection settings on the server, instead of manually reconfiguring each device.
To use the DHCP protocol you will need:
configure DHCP on the router, which will play the role of a DHCP server.
start the DHCP service on the PC (it acts as a client);
in settings network adapter select the option to automatically obtain an IP address.
Let's look at each step in detail.
How to enable DHCP on a router?
You need to start the DHCP server on the router through the web interface. You will need to do the following:
If you can’t immediately open the router settings, try logging in from another browser or from another device. The most radical and effective solution to the problem is to reset the router settings. To do this, find the small button labeled “Reset”, press it with something thin and hold it for 5-15 seconds. It is important to keep in mind: the downside of this solution is that you will have to configure the router completely from scratch.
Launch and setup on a Windows computer
To enable DHCP on a PC under Windows control 7 or Windows 10, you need to perform a similar set of steps.
Service check
To enable the DHCP client service on your PC, or make sure that it is working, open “Run” (Win + R), write “services.msc”.
In the “Services” window that opens, find the dhcp client, right-click and select “Properties”.
If you see that the service is running and starts automatically, you don't need to change anything.
If other parameters are displayed, start the service and set it to start automatically.
Configuring the network adapter
Enter “Network Connections” by pressing Win + R and entering “ncpa.cpl”.
Open your network properties, TCP/IPv4.
Many of us use the Internet at home or in the office to connect several clients (computer, TV, tablet, smartphone...) to the Internet. network device. As a rule, to go to global network use a router that assigns each device connected to it its own unique IP address. A unique network address will be assigned to the device automatically if you enable DHCP on the router and activate the “Obtain an IP address automatically” option in the settings of the created connection for all clients on the local network.
After this, all devices located on the home or office network will access the Internet under the same IP address, but on the local network they will have different IPs. DHCP is a very popular option and if you decide on a second device using a media server or want to transfer, then the DHCP function on the router must be activated, otherwise everything will have to be configured manually. Using a DHCP server you can.
To enable DHCP you need. To do this, enter the gateway address into the browser address bar (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1), enter your login and password in the form and click the “Login” button. By the way, if the network device was previously used to connect to the network of another Internet provider, then I recommend that you first do so and connect to the current service provider.
Activating the automatic configuration protocol on the router.
As a rule, by default this option is enabled on the network device, but for various reasons, for some users it is not in an active state. I'll show you how to enable DHCP on an ASUS and TP-Link router, and you can enable the protocol in the same way dynamic settings node on any other model from any manufacturer. The principle is the same on all devices, only the interface shell is different.
ASUS. After activation in the interface, go to the “Local Network” section, go to the “DHCP Server” tab and in the “Enable DHCP Server” item, move the switch to the “Yes” position. On the same page you can set the starting and ending pool of IP addresses. Essentially, this is a range of unique network addresses, one of which the router will assign to the device when connecting to it.
So that every time you connect a device (computer, TV, smartphone...) to the local network, the router assigns it the same network address, necessary (the procedure for assigning a static IP is described in detail). This way, your tablet, laptop and other devices on your home or office network will have their own permanent network address, and you are guaranteed to avoid any kind of conflicts.
For example, to give a permanent IP address to a laptop, you must first and then activate the “Enable manual assignments” option in the settings and select this device from the drop-down list. In the adjacent field, enter the desired free IP from the range and click the add button. The changes will take effect after clicking the “Apply” button and rebooting. As you can see, four clients receive my permanent IP.
TP-LINK. After logging into the network device interface, go to the “DHCP” -> “DHCP Settings” tab. On this page you can enable the DHCP server and set the starting and ending IP addresses in the fields of the same name for the local network. Please note that on the “Network” - “Local Network” (LAN) tab the current IP address of the router is indicated, therefore, it cannot assign it to any other device.
Therefore, the initial IP must be set taking into account the router’s network node and the next one must be assigned. For example, if it is 192.168.1.1, then the starting IP address can be 192.168.1.2; 192.168.1.3 or in my case 192.168.1.100. All other settings are optional, but if necessary, you can reduce the validity period of the address.
At the end of the period, the device to which the IP was issued will ask to renew it. The dialogue occurs unnoticed by you, and if there are a lot of clients on the network, then in this case the option is relevant because it does not clog the table. You can see the address expiration date, name, MAC and IP address in the list of clients connected to the network (DHCP Clients List). If there are from 3 to 10 clients on the local network, then leave everything at default or set the maximum value (2880 minutes).
The router has the ability to assign a permanent IP address to the client. Thus, when connected to a network, the network device will issue the same IP to the device. To do this, go to the “Address Reservation” tab and click the “Add New” button. Enter the MAC address of the device, set a free IP address from the available range. In the “Status” drop-down list, select “Enable” and click the “Update” button. All settings will take effect after rebooting the router.
After you enable the DHCP server on the router, make sure that all clients (computer, TV, set-top box...) have the “Obtain an IP address automatically” status in the settings. Bye!
Few users who use an Internet connection know what a DHCP client is, why it is needed and how to enable it. Without going into technical details, we will now look at the basic concepts and methodology for its inclusion (use).
What is a DHCP client and why is it needed?
To put it in a way that any modern user can understand. computer system language, the DHCP client service is the one network protocol, which allows you to configure connections to the Internet or local network automatically.
In other words, when connected to any device, all basic parameters are assigned automatically, which saves the user from manual settings. Let us immediately note that by default in all Windows operating systems this protocol is initially activated. Now we will look at some steps to enable it if it is disabled for some reason.
Preliminary router settings
If you use a router in the form of a router to access the Network, you first need to check whether the DHCP client is enabled in the router settings.
To do this, go to its menu through any Internet browser (in most cases, enter 192.168.1.1 in the address bar) and find a section like “DHCP server” (in different models sections may have different names). Here we check whether the access permission parameter is enabled. If it is disabled, you need to enable DHCP. In principle, you can immediately register the start and end IP addresses, but this is recommended only if, for some reason, you need to limit access and the number of simultaneously connected devices.
How to enable DHCP through the services section?
Now let's see what can be done if this protocol is disabled. You can enable DHCP through the services section in the administration settings.
This can be done through the control panel, but it’s easier to use the command line, called from the “Run” menu (Win + R) with the cmd command, where the combination services.msc is written.
Here you need to scroll through the list and find the corresponding field. Ideally, the status bar will indicate that the service is running. If not, right-click on the properties menu and set the startup type to automatic from the drop-down list.
Administrative settings in some versions of Windows operating systems can be accessed directly through the Start menu or through its Administrative Tools subsection (for example, in Windows 10). However, which particular path to use does not matter, because the main thing is the end result.
How to enable DHCP over TCP/IP?
You can use a more or less simple method. In this case, we will need TCP/IP protocol settings. You can get to them through the local connection properties section. How to enable DHCP in this case? Again, it’s easier to set the ncpa.cpl command on the command line and then go to the properties (the call is made in the same way as above).
Now, from the list of components, select the TCP/IPv4 protocol and in the properties indicate automatic acquisition of the IP address and the address of the preferred DNS server. Additional settings you don't have to touch it at all. In obsolete Windows versions There is no IPv4 protocol. Instead, there is a general TCP/IP setting.
In some cases, you may need a power management menu in which you will need to disable all available options.
Checking automatic connection
Here, in fact, we looked at the question of how to enable DHCP. Now the active connections need to be checked for functionality.
To do this, it is best to use the same command line and enter the combination ipconfig /all, then press the Enter key. That's all.
However, if the active connection icon is displayed in the system tray, it will not be difficult to look at it and assess the level of activity visually or from the corresponding menu call up information about the connection status on this moment. I think this is one of the simplest ways.
Finally, it remains to note that in this article the main emphasis for accessing certain settings was placed precisely on using the command line, since, according to many users and specialists, this is the most quick solution, since it saves the user from step-by-step transitions from one menu or section to another. Naturally, this does not mean that you need to use exactly this method. If you want to use different menus and sections, no problem. Here it’s more convenient for whom.
It is well known that in order to work with the network, each device, be it a computer, laptop, tablet or phone, must have a specific electronic identifier - an IP address, as well as configured mask, gateway and DNS server information. This address network interface when connecting, it immediately tries to receive from special equipment that automatically distributes addresses. If such equipment is not found, the user must enter the network parameters manually. If there are many computers on the network, then addressing errors and duplication of addresses are possible, leading to system failures and slowing down the performance of the network as a whole. IN home network, in the absence of automatic distribution of addresses, you have to manually register network parameters on each device to connect, for example, to a router. Not every user has sufficient knowledge and experience to correctly change such settings. Therefore, at home, many users also try to deploy automatic address distribution, that is, deploy a DHCP server.
DHCP - what is it?
Let's look into this issue. To avoid addressing errors, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) was implemented. This is a function that dynamically distributes network settings to connected client machines. If the settings on these devices include the option “obtain an IP address only from a DHCP server” and the DHCP service is enabled, then all responsibility for correct setting network parameters on client computers sent to the DHCP server. This significantly reduces the cost of network support and management, and also helps to avoid errors in the distribution of addresses. A service that includes DHCP starts automatically by default when you turn on any device that supports wired or wireless network. For example, on tablets or phones it is enough to turn on Wi-Fi and among the found devices that distribute the Internet, find yours and connect to it. At the same time, automatic distribution of addresses eliminates IP duplication and, as a result, helps to avoid network conflicts.
How addresses are distributed
When any client device connects to the network, a special broadcast request is sent to the network in order to search for a DHCP server distributing parameters for this network. What kind of server is this and why is it important for a large network? This is the name of the device that is responsible for distributing addresses to computers on the network for automatically using them on various clients. If such a server is present, then it creates a packet with a response to the client’s request, which may include settings such as IP address, network mask, gateway parameters, DNS server addresses, domain name, etc. and sends this packet to the client device . The client receives an acknowledgment signal from the DHCP server. The generated data packet is standardized, so it can be decrypted and used by almost any operating system.
The parameters issued by the server for the client device have a limited configurable validity period, which has its own name - “lease time”. Addresses issued by the server are analyzed for matches with valid addresses with unexpired lease time, so duplication of addresses is excluded. Usually the rental period is short - from several hours to 4-6 days. After this period has expired, the device repeats the request to the server and receives from it the same address (if it is still free) or any free one.
Client settings to receive automatic network settings in Windows
In order for the client to receive response network parameters from DHCP, you need to check several settings in the Computer Control Panel (discussed in the example operating system Windows). To do this, go to the Start menu, then go to the Control Panel (which needs to be switched to the classic view) and select “Network Connections”. Choose network connection, which is planned to work with DHCP, right-click on it and go to “Properties”. In the window that opens, go to TCP/IP Internet Protocol Properties. DHCP - what is it? This is getting automatic network parameters. Therefore, we mark with dots the options for automatically obtaining an IP address and DNS. Having made a choice, click “Ok”. The DHCP configuration on the client is complete. Now the device will receive an address from the DHCP server automatically when Windows starts.
Setting up DHCP in Windows 7 is set up similarly, but the location of the adapter properties is slightly different from Windows XP. We also go to Start - Control Panel - Network Control Center and shared access. Select “Change adapter settings” in the left menu. Next - similar to the above for settings in Windows XP.
Setting up automatic address distribution in other operating systems
On Linux or Android devices, connecting with a DHCP server deployed on the network is no problem. All you need to do is turn on the network interface (wired or wireless), wait until data is exchanged between the device and the DHCP server, and make sure that the network settings are received and applied successfully. DHCP services are enabled by default on almost all devices.
If the connection does not occur, then you need to check the status of automatic reception of addresses. For example, on Android OS, for this you need to go to Settings - Wireless networks - Wi-Fi Settings- Additionally, make sure that the "use static IP address" option is disabled.
Data sent by DHCP
DHCP options are parameters that are passed from the server to the client. All these passed parameters are divided into categories. There are required options, such as IP address and netmask. There are non-configurable service options that, for example, show the beginning and end of options in the transmitted packet. At their core, options are typical value-key pairs that can be seen and configured in security policies.
The main DHCP parameters in the packet, in addition to the IP address and mask, are 3 (Gateways), 6 (Domain Name Servers), 44 (NBT Name Servers), 46 (NBT Node Type). These parameters are group parameters, that is, they can have several values. For example, there may be multiple gateway addresses or DNS servers. Option values are configured in the DHCP server settings.
DHCP settings on the server
Before configuring the settings, you need to make some calculations about the basic DHCP options. What kind of options are these? - you ask. Options are all those network parameters that are passed from the server to the client. The two main options are the range of distributed addresses and the subnet mask. An organization's entire address range is usually divided into several segments dedicated to different tasks, such as telecommunications, static addresses servers, etc. To prevent static addresses from participating in distribution, creating additional load on the server, the ranges of distributed addresses can be limited. For example, with the operating range 192.168.1.1-192.168.1.254, you can define addresses from 1 to 10 for communications, from 11 to 30 for servers, and for DHCP you can allocate a range from 31 to 254. That is, any address from the server issued to the client will only lie in this range. You can also configure exception addresses in the distributed range, and they too will not be distributed to client devices.
Next, before setting up a DHCP server, you need to decide what options it will also distribute. Is there a need to distribute, for example, gateway or DNS parameters. After this, the data is entered on the server, its activation starts and the server begins distributing addresses.
Home DHCP server
At home, routers are often used as a DHCP server, which distributes the content received from the provider to home appliances - computers, laptops, phones, TVs and other devices connected to the network by wire or wirelessly. In this case, something like a virtual server is created that distributes addresses to users. From the outside, it looks as if one user opened several pages in a browser on one computer. In this case, only one router is actually connected to the external network. This allows you to significantly save on the number of connected lines.
Setting up automatic addressing on the router
To set up automatic distribution of addresses to home devices, you need to connect the router to your computer (laptop) with a network cable. In any browser we enter the router address (usually 192.168.0.1). In the proposed login and password request fields, by default, enter “admin” (often this data is indicated in the router’s operating manual). As a result, we will see the router settings menu. We go to the Lan or Network sections (the names may differ) and find a submenu with DHCP settings. How to enable address distribution on the router? Simply check the box next to enable DHCP and reboot the router.
Configuring a DHCP router
If the default settings are not satisfactory, you can change the configuration parameters. In the same menu where we enabled the address distribution function, you can enter the IP address distribution range, for example 192.153.0.1 – 192.153.0.3. For work, you can specify only two addresses, for example, for a laptop and mobile phone. This limits the number of concurrent devices, which is the simplest way to secure the connection.
Having created the basic settings, you need to save them and reboot the router. Immediately after the reboot, the settings will take effect.
Before you disable DHCP, you need to make sure that your devices have static addresses. To disable automatic distribution, you need to uncheck the DHCP option in the router settings, save the changes and reboot the device.
