Issue: There is a linux-based kiosk booting off a 1 GB compact flash running a financing software for customers. The "network settings" within the software should work with a simple DHCP enabled: Yes. However, enabling DHCP does not yield connectivity to the network. If I put in a static IP, net mask, gateway, and 2 dns addresses it works fine, downloads updates etc etc. On bootup the only issue I see after the DHCP offer is received in "BroadcastAddr option is missing".

Help?!

Also, I'm fairly certain I know the answer to this...I can't just keep it on a static IP correct? It's on a greater company network so static IP on a DHCP allocated network = fail?

[Edited on February 16, 2010 at 3:45 PM. Reason : .]

2/16/2010 3:44:08 PM

Not as long as the static IP address is outside the range of addresses leased by the DHCP server.

Right?

I think.

2/16/2010 3:46:54 PM

Should I create a reservation for that IP on the DHCP network?

[Edited on February 16, 2010 at 3:48 PM. Reason : If so, how do I do that ]

2/16/2010 3:48:11 PM

K so I'm just gonna create a reservation. If anyone thinks that this will result in fail please let me know asap. The kiosk has to pickup updates via the software site and any updates passed around the dhcp network.

2/16/2010 3:58:31 PM

How do I figure out the MAC address in linux without having access to root >.<

2/16/2010 4:06:29 PM

if you can cat /var/log/dmesg it should be in there where it inits the network device.

Alternatively:
look on the device

Long way round: look at the arp table on the switch its connected to.

although if you have an account that has access to set a static ip idk why you wouldn't see the mac.

One last note: When reserving an IP in DHCP there are 2 ways to do it. The first sounds like what you're doing, creating a DHCP reservation assigning an IP to a MAC address. If you're using a static address it actually doesn't matter what mac address you use since the client will never actually ask for an address. The second way is to remove the IP in question from the scope entirely. Consult your dhcp server manual for both things.

2/16/2010 4:43:05 PM

I resorted to using an IP that isn't within the scope. Thanks

2/16/2010 5:34:13 PM

just make sure you document it somewhere so the next guy that has the same problem doesn't get all confused when he uses the same ip you did

2/16/2010 5:35:12 PM