Open Transport Client & DHCP Update (3/97)

How can we force Open Transport clients to re-acquire their DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) configuration? We want to be assured that when a change is made on the DHCP server that the change is propagated to the client in a timely fashion. Windows 95 includes the ability to cancel and re-acquire DHCP leases in its WINIPCFG utility and we would like something similar for Macintosh computers.
Open Transport clients release their DHCP address lease whenever the TCP/IP stack becomes inactive. This can be accomplished by:

* Restarting the Macintosh

* Select "Make TCP/IP Inactive" in TCP/IP Options of the TCP/IP control
panel. You must save the changes after closing the TCP/IP control panel
and wait two minutes for the timers to release the current TCP/IP
sessions. Then select "Make TCP/IP Active" in the TCP/IP Options of the
TCP/IP control panel. Once again save the changes after closing the
TCP/IP control panel.

NOTE: User Mode in the TCP/IP control panel must be Advanced or
Administrative. TCP/IP Options button is not available in Basic mode.

When the TCP/IP stack becomes active again, it contacts the DHCP server for configuration information and will acquire any changes made at the server.


This article was published in the 19 February 1997 "Information Alley."


Article Change History:
10 Mar 1997 - Made minor typographical correction.
Published Date: Feb 18, 2012