Configuring Your Laptop to Use DHCP

The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is a method by which an IP address is assigned from a pool of available addresses. Windows 98, Windows NT, and recent versions of the Macintosh system support DHCP.

These instructions for configuring your laptop to use DHCP will be applicable for most users. If the options described herein are not available on your laptop, contact the support staff in your department.

Important: These configuration changes must be made prior to connecting to the network.

DHCP Instructions for PCs Running Windows
DHCP Instructions for the Macintosh

Windows XP

1. From the Start Menu, select Control Panel. If the Start Menu is in Classic Mode, select Settings and then Control Panel.
2. From the Control Panel, double-click Network Connections .
3. Double-click Local Area Connection .
4. Click Properties .
5. Double-click Internet Protocol .
6. Under the General Tab, make sure Obtain an IP Address Automatically is selected.
7. Click OK .

• If your laptop currently has an IP Address specified, write this number down. It is not stored on your laptop and must be re-entered once you return to your static IP address configuration.
• Re-boot the computer if requested to do so.
• Once the machine is configured to automatically obtain an IP address, the settings found on the WINS Configuration, Gateway and DNS Configuration tabs will be ignored (but remembered).

  When you wish to operate under a static IP address once again, select Use the following IP address and enter the previously set address.

Windows 95 or Windows 98

• From the Start Menu , select Settings , Control Panel .
• From the Control Panel, double click on the Network icon. Select TCP/IP and click on the Properties button. The following screen should appear.

Important: If your laptop currently has an IP Address specified, write this number down. It is not stored on your laptop and must be re-entered once you return to your static IP address configuration.

• On the IP Address tab, select Obtain IP Address Automatically .
• Re-boot the computer if requested to do so.

Once the machine is configured to automatically obtain an IP address, the settings found on the WINS Configuration, Gateway and DNS Configuration tabs will be ignored (but remembered).

When you wish to operate under a static IP address once again, select Specify an IP address and enter the previously set address.

DHCP instructions for the Macintosh

Mac OS X

1. Select System Preferences from the Apple Menu.
2. Select the Network icon.
3. Select New Location from the Location menu. Type Purdue TIC Site for your location name and Click OK .
4. Make sure the On button for Built-in Ethernet is checked.
5. Select Built-in Ethernet from the Show menu.
   • Select Using DHCP from the Configure menu.
   • Leave b DHCP Client ID:b blank.
   • In the text box labeled DNS Servers type 128.210.10.21 and 128.210.11.5 , one per line
   • In the text box labeled Search Domains type ics.purdue.edu and purdue.edu , one per line.
6. Click Apply Now .

Mac OS 8.x or 9.x

• From the Apple menu , select Control Panels , TCP/IP .

  Important: If your laptop currently has an IP Address specified, write this number down. It is not stored on your laptop and will need to be re-entered once you return to your static IP address configuration.

• Change the Configure: option to Use DHCP Server . You do not need to provide the DHCP Client ID.
• Re-boot the computer if requested to do so.

When you wish to operate under a static IP address once again, change the Configure: field back to "Manually" and re-enter the previously set address.