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Advantages of the Orbitor's DHCP Facility in Mobile Computing

Article Number: I017
Article Type: Info
Modified: July 6, 1999

SUMMARY

If you often have the need to move your notebook computer from the office to your home and back again, you should take advantage of the Orbitor's integrated DHCP facility. It can offer network reconfiguration without any significant effort on your part.

MORE INFORMATION

DHCP

DHCP, or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, is a standard created by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). It's primary purpose is to provide network configuration parameters to a device on a demand basis, centralizing configuration control and improving the manageability of computer migration.

Configuration parameters such as a computer's IP Address, the Default Gateway address, the DNS address, just to name a few, can be delivered to a computer on demand. In most instances, these parameters are configured into a computer by the administrator, and each computer in a network must have their own unique address. By using DHCP, many computers can share a pool of IP addresses, and use the required configuration for that environment without manual intervention by the network administrator.

If DHCP is used, movement of your computer from one network location to another network location, independent of their ownership, will be as simple as plugging a cable into a network socket.

The Server

Most often, DHCP Services will be provided by a centralized server facility. Servers whether they are UNIX-based (i.e. LINUX) or Windows NT-based can offer a DHCP service that will listen for DHCP requests from client computers. In response, these servers will allocated an IP Address and send additional network-specific information back to the client for use during this session. During the session, the client computer may release or renew the subscription to the allocated address information. When the computer is finished with this address, and has released it, the server is free to allocate it to another needy client.

The Orbitor Advantage

The Orbitor product family offers an integral DHCP server that is very effective in providing this base network information to a computer. It can be used equally as effective in both a primary server or backup server role. The advantage is that you may use an Orbitor in your home office or business to provide the local network connectivity as well as a dial-on-demand Internet connectivity all in combination with DHCP to facilitate easy movement from home to office.

When you add the other value-added benefits of the Orbitor, such as an integral Firewall facility, Network Address Translation and protocol spoofing, the Orbitor provides real solutions to real networking issues.

REFERENCES

If you require additional details, the Orbitor Installation and Reference manual may be consulted.§

Copyright © 1999 Develcon Electronics Ltd.  All Rights Reserved.