DHCP Support

The site DHCP server can automatically provide the DSX with an IP address and other important network settings.
Programming for this Feature
Programming DHCP Support
Important points to understanding DHCP Support
DHCP Modes
DHCP Maintenance Options
Options Retained After Upgrade
DHCP Client Compatibility

Description

You can set up the DSX system to be a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) client. If the installation site has a DHCP server, this means that the site server can automatically provide the DSX with the following important network settings:
  • IP Address (the network address of the DSX system).
  • Subnet Mask (that allows the site server to differentiate internal LAN from external internet addresses).
  • Router Address (the address of the site router that handles external internet traffic).
  • Domain Name Server (DNS) Address (the servers that convert domain names [like necdsx.com] to their numeric IP addresses).

DHCP Modes

The DSX can operate as a DHCP client in either of two modes: DHCP or DHCP with Manual IP.
  • DHCP
    • When the DSX is initially connected to the installation site LAN, it requests the site DHCP server to provide (lease) an IP address from it’s available pool of addresses. The DHCP server also provides the Sub- net Mask, Router Address, and the DNS address. Additionally, the DHCP server also tells the DSX the duration of the DHCP lease. Normally, the lease is automatically maintained as long as the DSX is connected to the site LAN. However, depending on the site DHCP server set up, the DSX may be periodically provided with a new IP address. Because of this, the DHCP mode may not be the best choice when using remote programming with the System Administrator.
  • DHCP with Manual IP
    • n this mode, the DSX gets the Subnet Mask, Router Address, and DNS Address from the site DHCP server but uses the IP address you manually enter. This may be your best choice when setting up remote programming with the System Administrator since the DSX IP address can never change. This option does not set up a DHCP lease, so the Subnet Mask, Router Address, and DNS Server Address settings are applied only one time. Always check with the site network administrator before manually entering an IP address.

DHCP Maintenance Options

The DSX provides two DHCP maintenance options: DHCP Release and DHCP Renew.
  • DHCP Release
    • This option allows you to manually clear (release) the DHCP lease between the site DHCP server and the DSX system. This releases the IP address in the server for reassignment and automatically clears (sets to 0.0.0.0) the DSX system’s DHCP address assignments. This option is only available if you have DHCP enabled. When you release, the system automatically clears (returns to 0.0.0.0) the following assignments: IP Address, Subnet Mask, Router Address, and DNS Server Address.
  • DHCP Renew
    • Use DHCP Renew to manually renew the DHCP lease between the site DHCP server and the DSX system. This option is only available if you have DHCP enabled. Typically, you’ll use this option as a testing or troubleshooting tool since the DSX automatically renews it’s lease in the background before the lease expires. (The lease duration is included in the data sent from the DHCP server to the DSX.) When you renew, the system automatically makes the following assignments: IP Address, Subnet Mask, Router Address, and DNS Server Address.

Options Retained After Upgrade

If upgrading from system software version 1.xx.xx to version 2.02 or higher, the system does the following:

This preserves the network settings of the system so the System Administrator connects as before the upgrade.

DHCP Client Compatibility

The DSX uses the udhcp DHCP Client Package. If you need more information about this DHCP client package for troubleshooting or integration, visit http://udhcp.busybox.net/.

Conditions and Defaults

Conditions


  • None.

Default Setting


  • DHCP enabled.

Other Related Features

Features


IntraMail Features


  • Email Integration
    • Email Integration can automatically send an email notification when a DSX keyset user receives a new message. The email can optionally include the recorded message as a wav file attachment.