PAP2 Works with DHCP Server down. How?? Experts...read

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 09, 2006 Posts: 3

I have a LAN with a Server. The server handles the Active Directory & DHCP and my Linksys WRT54GS router has DHCP disabled. I am a new user so I was testing the if I could still make calls if my server was off and I could. I have a Linksys PAP2 phone adapter for the VOIP box.

My question is how can I still make calls when the server is off? I understand how a VPN connections secures a private tunnel is the same think happening here?

Please advise...

Posts: 1424 · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 12:46 am Post subject:

You DHCP server would only be referenced when your VoIP adapter is starting up and seeking an IP address or when the lease is about to expire and the adapter seeks to renew it. If you disable the DHCP server you should not have any issues until the lease on the IP expires.

It would be possible for the adapter to cache the IP address through a reboot and use it if it was unable to obtain an IP address, but that would be a non-standard behavior. Typically these devices have a built in IP address that is used in this event. If that IP address is routable on your network then the adapter should work as well.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 09, 2006 Posts: 3

Thanks for the reply...

Question if it were you would you just use the router as the DHCP server. I ask because I have my server, router, PAP2, and cable modem all on APC battery backups (a total of 3) for power outages. In my area, the cable modem still works when the power is out plugged into the APC.

This may be an overkill but the APC where their before the Vonage service...

Posts: 1424 · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 7:08 am Post subject:

I would probably move it to the router if the router is able to boot up and provide DHCP sooner than the server.

Obviously this would only be an issue if the power outage outlasted your UPS so it isn't a big deal. It's probably a better idea to have DHCP where it is most convenient for you to manage.

Posts: 62 · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 9:56 am Post subject:

You mentioned you had DHCP disabled on the WRT54GS. I think you mean you have the DHCP server portion disabled on the WRT54GS, is that correct?

If so, I think the simplest change would be to assign a static IP address to the WRT54GS. This would make the WRT54GS totally independent of the Server on your network. I not that familiar with the WRT54GS, but I would NOT move the DHCP server from your Windows AD server. I would just keep the AD/DNS/DHCP on your main server, ease of management.

This would also be the simplest change, to assign static IP to WRT54GS. This config would also allow you to "play with" or reconfigure your server/lan without effecting your voice calls at all.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 09, 2006 Posts: 3

yes you are correct. WRT54GS does have a fixed IP so I wonder does anyone use a static IP for the PAP2 or is that just a defeating what I originally want which is the PAP2 box to work even if the server is off which is my DHCP server. Currently it does but as the last user stated ip lease time may be an issue since it is not controlled by the router.

Never mind a power outage, what about if the server crash or my kids turn it off not knowing not to turn the server off. I just want the best practice...

Posts: 62 · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 7:38 pm Post subject:

Yes, also put a static IP configuration on the PAP2. This way no matter what is going on on the rest of the network, as long as the cable modem, and the hub/switch that the modem/hub/pap2 are plugged into are up, you'll be able to place calls.