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

The DHCP Server incorporated into SoftRouter Plus provides this configuration service to TCP/IP client systems, such as Windows 95/98/NT, MacOS & UNIX.

The Vicomsoft 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 (eg. 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 component of SoftRouter Plus 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 SoftRouter Plus' 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.

A Client configuration page, with examples of Windows 95 and MacOS configuration screens is available to show just how easy the client configuration is.

For further specific information on any of the features of SoftRouter Plus, choose a section below or return to the SoftRouter Plus main information page, and choose a subject there.