Summary

Chapter 8: Fundamental Networks 15Manual ConfigurationIn a network with a small number of hosts, it is easy to manually configure each devicewith the proper IP address. A network administrator who understands IP addressing shouldassign the addresses and should know how to choose a valid address for a particular network.The IP address that is entered is unique for each host within the same network orsubnet.To manually enter an IP address on a host, go to the TCP/IP settings in the Properties windowfor the Network Interface Card (NIC). The NIC is the hardware that enables a computerto connect to a network. It has an address called the MAC address. Whereas the IPaddress is a logical address that is defined by the network administrator, a MAC address is“burned in,” or permanently programmed into the NIC when it is manufactured. The IPaddress of a NIC can be changed, but the MAC address never changes.The main difference between an IP address and a MAC address is that the MAC address isused to deliver frames on the LAN, while an IP address is used to transport frames outsidethe LAN. A frame is a data packet, along with address information added to the beginningand end of the packet before transmission over the network. After a frame is delivered tothe destination LAN, the MAC address is used to deliver the frame to the end host onthat LAN.If more than a few computers comprise the LAN, manually configuring IP addresses forevery host on the network can be time-consuming and prone to errors. In this case, using aDynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server would automatically assign IPaddresses and greatly simplify the addressing process.Worksheet 8.3.2: Identify IP Address ClassesIn this worksheet you identify the IP address class for an IP address. Refer to the worksheetin IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Labs and Study Guide, Third Edition. Youmay perform this worksheet now or wait until the end of the chapter.Define DHCPDynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a software utility used to dynamicallyassign IP addresses to network devices. This dynamic process eliminates the need to manuallyassign IP addresses. A DHCP server can be set up and the hosts can be configured toautomatically obtain an IP address. When a computer is set to obtain an IP address automatically,all the other IP addressing configuration boxes are dimmed, as shown in Figure 8-9.The server maintains a list of IP addresses to assign, and it manages the process so thatevery device on the network receives a unique IP address. Each address is held for a predeterminedamount of time. When the time expires, the DHCP server can use this address forany computer that joins the network.