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Hi,
is it possible to make Windows 7 act as a DHCP server (IP address provider) for a LAN? If yes, is it still possible even if Internet Connection Sharing is activated (and so Windows 7 configures static IP adresses)?
Thanks.
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
To the best of my knowledge, the only way to make Windows 7 act as a DHCP server (without 3rd-party software) is to enable Internet Connection Sharing. ICS assigns a static IP address to the host computer's LAN connection, and its DHCP server assigns dynamic IP addresses to the other LAN computers.
I didn't recommend disabling UMTS prior to enabling ICS. Do that after enabling ICS, in order to change the Local Area network from "Public" to "Home" or "Work".
Two DHCP servers on the same network can conflict with each other and cause unpredictable results.
If I understand your setup, your computer has two network connections: one for the Internet through a wireless router, and one for the LAN connection to the Blu-ray player and Dish receiver. Try this to combine the two connections so that those devices connect to the router:
Steve, it's a brand new windows 7 install and only using built-in windows firewall. I tested it with another win7 laptop as a client and it received the IP lease just fine. I guess if the media devices were based on embedded windows it might have worked. I'm looking for an open source DHCP service to run in the same host and set its IP range higher than ICS would use to avoid conflict (if possible). Thanks for the reply.
You shouldn't have to make firewall exceptions to allow the ICS DHCP server to work. However, some firewall programs are incompatible with ICS. I don't have a current list, but I've seen that problem with ZoneAlarm. What firewall program does the host computer have?
