My router is a 3com 3crwdr101a-72. Under the LAn
settings, there's a section called DHCP server parameters.
Under that, you can select the status of the server (on or
off), the IP pool start and end address range, and...
There's an optoin for "Local Domain name (Optional)". I
don't understand what this is for? The help section just
says it doesn't need changing unless it is specifically
required (but doesn't say what it is is actually for).

The manual for the router is even less helpful and just
says the setting is "Optional".

Can anyone enlighten me as to its actual purpose?

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is a process where a device on your network (in this case the router) acts as a DHCP server. It simply assigns IP addresses to devices on the network if they are set up to get their IP addresses automatically.

In the network settings for your PCs you can either set the IP address manually or you can set them up to obtain their IP addresses automatically (default). When set to default the PC will look to the DHCP server when starting up to obtain an IP address. Every device nees an IP address to communicate on the network.

Michael J

The Domain name is mostly used for large business, networks that may have hundreds of computers connected.

"Domain name" has nothing to do with DHCP

Michael J

"The Domain name is mostly used for large business, networks that may have hundreds of computers connected."

What, so all the name does is give the dhcp pool of IPs a name for convenience if there's a ton of computers on the network, but it doesn't do anything else?

Michael J

As you already answered the DHCP question for him, I only answered the Domain question, as yours was very well explained.

smeee
For more info on Domain names link:
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/d/dom...
or Google for further info.

... Well, I know what DHCP is. I know what a domain name is. What I want to know is how this "local domain name" works in relation to the dhcp server. Telling me it is for big networks with hundreds of computers is a start, but it doesn't really tell me everything.

But anyway, forget it. Looks like no one knows anyway.

@anmor,

Sorry, I missed that part of his post.

Michael J

2 choices buddy to be recognised on the NET:
1) To provide IP address,
2) To provide domain name.
Give something and you will be recognised.

Come To ME