Virtual TapeServer SCSI-to-FC Adapter User Manual

F-1
Appendix F
Enabling DHCP on the VT5900-SA
DHCP, or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, is an open industry standard that simplifies
administering networks based on Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
DHCP allows network resources to go farther by enabling a unique IP address to be assigned to a
specific device (router, client host, etc.) on a non-permanent, dynamic basis.
DHCP makes network administration easier—the larger the network, the greater the benefit.
DHCP accommodates larger networks since it can assign temporary IP addresses for a specified
time interval. DHCP frees network administrators from having to configure each VT5900-SA or
host manually.
Other benefits of a DHCP environment include:
• No additional address configuration is required for client hosts.
• IP addresses can be reused or leased for specific time periods.
• IP address assignment is better managed. For example, if the IP address for a VT5900-SA in a
network changes and 250 client computers have to be updated with the new address, you do
not have to manually reconfigure every workstation.
Without DHCP, permanent IP address configuration is the only option. This means a network
administrator is required to manually configure a permanent IP address for each individual
VT5900-SA or client host. Permanent IP addresses require more network resources, but are useful
when dealing with smaller LAN environments. Without dynamic address assignment, VT5900-
SAs and hosts have to be configured manually one by one. IP addresses must be managed to avoid
duplicate use, and changes must be applied to clients by hand. Configuration information is not
centralized, and it is difficult to get a view of all VT5900-SA or host configurations.
The use of TCP/IP and DHCP both contribute to networking and the growth of the Internet. TCP/
IP uses open protocol standards that enable the forming of wide area networks (WANS). For each
HP VT5900-SA to identify itself on a TCP/IP network, it must be uniquely identified by the
following information:
1. An IP address: a 32-bit field composed of four octets (8-bit numbers from 0 through 255).
Each address has decimal notation to separate octet numbers, such as 208.24.132.184.
Your DHCP server may allow you to set up a lease reservation for an IP address by providing
the server with the Ethernet MAC address of the VT5900-SA. This sets the DHCP server to
always provide the same IP address to the VT5900-SA. This setup can be useful for remote
management of the VT5900-SA via Telnet or Visual Manager. Because the method of setting
up a lease reservation varies depending on the DHCP server being used, it is recommended
you contact your Network Administrator for assistance.
2. A subnet mask: This indicates how the IP address is to be read. It also indicates how to
separate the network identifying information from the VT5900-SA identifying information so
the IP address can be interpreted correctly. For example, if a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 is
applied for an address 10.85.189.24, it indicates that the unique VT5900-SA address is 24,
located on the 10.85.189 subnetwork.