The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is a network management protocol used on Internet Protocol networks whereby a DHCP server dynamically assigns an IP address and other network configuration parameters to each device on a network so they can communicate with other IP networks.
Imagine you’re hosting a big party, and you want to make sure everyone gets a name tag and knows where everything is. That’s kind of what the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) does for devices on a computer network.
So, you have this network, like a big web of interconnected devices – computers, phones, tablets, smart TVs, you name it. Now, for all these gadgets to talk to each other and to the internet, they need unique addresses, just like houses have street addresses.
Here’s where DHCP comes in. It’s like the host at the party handing out name tags and guiding guests to their seats. Instead of name tags, DHCP hands out IP addresses, which are like the unique addresses for each device on the network.
But DHCP does more than just give out IP addresses. It also helps with other settings, like telling devices where the router is, what the subnet mask is, and where to find the Domain Name System (DNS) servers. These settings are important because they help devices navigate the network efficiently and find websites by their names instead of their IP addresses.
So, in simple terms, DHCP is like the behind-the-scenes organizer at a networking party, making sure everyone gets what they need to join the conversation and mingle smoothly.
You can change lease time settings for each scope on the DHCP server. In this article, we will take a look at –
Table of Contents
How to reduce DHCP Lease Time in Windows 10.
- Run the DHCP management console—dhcpmgmt.msc
- Open the properties of the DHCP scope for which you want to reduce the lease time
- On the “General” tab in the “Lease duration for DHCP clients” section, in the “Limited to” field, specify a new lease time for clients of this scope (you can even completely disable the lease time, in this case, the IP addresses will be issued to devices permanently)
- Save your changes by clicking OK
New DHCP lease time settings will apply for DHCP requests from new clients of the DHCP server and on the next renewal of the IP address by old clients.
You can also change the DHCP Lease time for a specific scope using the Set-DHCPServerv4Scope PowerShell cmdlet:
Set-DHCPServerv4Scope ScopeID 10.1.1.0 -LeaseDuration 2.00:00:00
After changing the DHCP scope settings, you can get the current properties with the Get-DHCPServerv4Scope command.
Now let’s take a look at –
How to enable DHCP or change other TCP/IP settings
- Select Start , then select Settings > Network & Internet.
- Do one of the following:
a. For a Wi-Fi network, select Wi-Fi > Manage known networks. Choose the network you want to change the settings for, then select Properties.
b. For an Ethernet network, select Ethernet, then select the Ethernet network you’re connected to.
- Under the IP assignment, select Edit.
- Under Edit IP Settings, select Automatic (DHCP) or Manual.
To specify IPv4 settings manually –
- Under Edit IP Settings, choose Manual, then turn on IPv4.
- To specify an IP address, in the IP address, Subnet prefix length, and Gateway boxes, type the IP address settings
- To specify a DNS server address, in the Preferred DNS and Alternate DNS boxes, type the addresses of the primary and secondary DNS servers.
To specify IPv6 settings manually –
- Under Edit IP Settings, choose Manual, then turn on IPv6
- To specify an IP address, in the IP address, Subnet prefix length, and Gateway boxes, type the IP address settings.
- To specify a DNS server address, in the Preferred DNS and Alternate DNS boxes, type the addresses of the primary and secondary DNS servers.
Select Save when you are done.
