How to setup automatic DHCP server IP assignment?

torontob

Hi Everyone,

I am running the latest stable pfsense version on an Alix board. I have to manually setup the 192.168.1.0 ip range for my client to obtain IP from router. What options is not enabled on it that stops the pfsense router from automatically assigning me an IP?

Thanks

wallabybob

Are you sure your client system has requested a DHCP lease?

torontob

Yes, it's my Windows 7 laptop. It always does when a cable is connected to it's LAN port. However, I get 169.x.x.x range assigned. This happens despite all the packets being sent to router for request of an IP which I can see in the connection status window.

Are you saying that there are no options other than enable DHCP?

Thanks

wallabybob

Is the laptop connected directly into the pfSense port? If so, you may need a cross over cable.

Do both the laptop and pfSense see the link between them in the running state?

jimp

@wallabybob:

Is the laptop connected directly into the pfSense port? If so, you may need a cross over cable.

ALIX ports are Auto-MDIX, no crossover needed.

DHCP is on by default out of the box. Perhaps the OP is not plugged into the actual LAN port, but the WAN or an inactive OPT port?

jimp

@torontob:

Are you saying that there are no options other than enable DHCP?

There are many DHCP options in the GUI. Once you have connectivity to the router, open up http://192.168.1.1, login (admin/pfsense) and go to Services > DHCP.

torontob

No cross over cable needed.

I can obtain an IP if I MANUALLY force an IP of the range 192.168.1.x/255.255.255.0 and it works just fine. I have one LAN port and 1 WAN port and both work fine.

Except for my laptop not obtaining an IP automatically, everything else is fine. I haven't seen any option to automatically assign IP in DHCP Server page. I am going to try other devices to isolate the problem but in the mean time I appreciate input on this.

Thanks

danswartz

well that is weird. it sure sounds like the dhcp server is not running. what does DHCP look like on the Status page? If you try and fail to get an IP and set one manually, try looking at the firewall system logs to see if any error messages shed light.