> Isn't this inconsistent? BootP is a protocol that allows your machine to
> automatically configure its address (based on information it receives from
> a server); this is the opposite of hard-coding an address.
technically, yes...from what I can tell, if you set your network
information correctly on Red Hat Linux, it doesn't actually perform a
bootp request...someone please correct me if I'm wrong...
> Basically, you're given something like 8-hour leases for a particular IP
> address, and under normal circumstances, the DHCP server will gleefully
> renew your lease (for the same address) when (or, strictly, according to
> the protocol, *before*) your lease expires. So the address should appear
> to be permanent for most purposes.
from what I recall an ITS rep was telling me, the IP is constant for UNIX
systems so they can be set up with DNS...again, please correct me if
wrong...I'm really fuzzy on this one...
> But there still might be advantages to using DHCP. If you have a laptop
> and visit another network segment, for example, you'll need to use a
> different IP address. And there might be other circumstances where DHCP
> might be easier; for instance, your assigned address might conceivably
> need to change for some reason (though this late in the year, I don't
> think that's too likely).
there are also some disadvantages (albeit weak)...DHCP has gone down at
least twice last semester for the HGS subnet (and presumably everyone
else)...to quote "fecal matter happens"...:)
if you're receiving email on your Linux box, DHCP and/or DNS crashing is a
disaster, as most mailing lists will unsubscribe you when the messages
start bouncing...the polite ones, however, don't...I know this has been a
repeated disaster for me...
Michael
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Osier = michael.osier@yale.edu | "He is not well rounded who does
http://chloe.hgs.yale.edu/~og/ | not have an equally keen interest
BS Biochemical Science - UVM | in all of the things within the
Yale University | compass of painting."
Human Genetics - Og | Leonardo da Vinci