What is Smart DHCP?
Smart DHCP is a built-in feature on TP-Link wireless devices. It can automatically configure the DHCP server settings for TP-Link devices based on the network connectivity and by detecting whether there is a DHCP server in the network, ensuring its clients can access the internet and the TP-Link device. Whether you connect your TP-Link device to a router or a modem or other network device, you can still log into its web management page to manage your TP-Link device without needing to change its DHCP server settings.
How does Smart DHCP work?
With the built-in smart DHCP, the TP-Link wireless device will send a DHCP server request when joining a network, and check if it can receive the response from a DHCP server.
- If YES, the TP-Link device will think that the front device has a DHCP server enabled and that there is a DHCP server in the network, then it will turn off its own DHCP server. In this case, its clients will get IP addresses from the front device and can access the front device’s network.
- If NO, the TP-Link wireless device will think that the front device hasn’t enabled a DHCP server and that there is no DHCP server in the network, then it will turn on its own DHCP server and use its server to dynamically assign IP addresses to its clients. In this case, its clients can access the TP-Link device’s network and can log into its web management page to manage the device. However, the TP-Link device may not be successfully connected to the front device, so it wouldn’t be able to access the internet as well as its clients.
We use a TP-Link range extender as an example to further explain this function. A range extender is used to extend an existing wireless network. Here is a typical network application.
Internet——Wireless Router >>> <<< TP-Link Range Extender >>> <<< Wireless Devices
Normally, the TP-Link range extender will send a DHCP server request when connecting to the wireless router and can receive a response from the router, the extender will turn off its own DHCP server, and all clients will get IP addresses from the router. Then the clients can access the router’s network and can log into the extender’s web management page to manage the extender.
If you router can access the internet, but the wireless devices after the extender cannot access the internet, then in this case, you may need to turn off the Smart DHCP feature on the extender.
How to turn off Smart DHCP
In some cases, even if your TP-Link wireless device has connected to the front device with a DHCP server enabled, it may still think that there is no server in the network for whatever reason, and then it will turn on its own DHCP server. The clients will get IP addresses from it instead of the front device, which may cause the devices to be unable to access the front device’s network. In this case, you can manually turn off the Smart DHCP feature on your TP-Link device.
Log into the web management page of your TP-Link device, go to the DHCP Server page, disable the DHCP Server feature, and click Save to apply the settings.
Note: When you change the DHCP Sever settings, all clients will temporarily disconnect from the network.
FAQs
Smart DHCP is a built-in feature on TP-Link wireless devices. It can automatically configure the DHCP server settings for TP-Link devices based on the network connectivity and by detecting whether there is a DHCP server in the network, ensuring its clients can access the internet and the TP-Link device.
Should I enable smart DHCP? ›
QUICK TIP: The DHCP Server should be enabled because disabling it will make your router work as a switch, allowing only one (1) computer to have Internet access.
What is a smart DHCP TP-Link? ›
With the built-in smart DHCP, the TP-Link wireless device will send a DHCP server request when joining a network, and check if it can receive the response from a DHCP server.
Should DHCP be on or off on range extender? ›
Typically range extenders will not need DHCP enabled. The main purpose of the extenders is simply to extend/boost the Wi-Fi signal to another section of your home or office. The DHCP should still be handled by your main device (Router) even for the parts of the building that have range extenders.
What does DHCP enable in a network? ›
DHCP automatically assigns Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to the computers on your network if your network supports it.
What is the main disadvantage of using DHCP? ›
The only disadvantage to running DHCP on a router is that it will take up some memory/cpu utilization that might be needed to route traffic :) .
What is the downside of DHCP? ›
Another drawback of using DHCP for static devices is that it may cause performance issues. For instance, if the DHCP server is down or unreachable, the devices may not be able to renew their IP leases and lose connectivity.
Should I turn on TP-Link Smart Connect? ›
When to enable Smart Connect? Wireless signals cannot stay stable all the time. Thus, sometimes it is necessary to change the frequency to get a better signal. If you are not sure which frequency band or which location provides the best, just relax and try the Smart Connect on your TP-Link router.
What is smart DHCP vs static IP? ›
Static IP allocation ensures seamless IP allocation and management of these devices. For mobile devices that frequently move between networks, DHCP IP allocation is more convenient since it can automatically assign IP addresses regardless of the network.
Should I enable DHCP on my router? ›
You need to enable your DHCP settings to easily manage the devices connected on your network. When turned ON, it automatically assigns an IP addresse on a device that connects to your home network.
After comparing DHCP vs static IP, it is undoubtedly that DHCP is the more popular option for most users as they are easier and cheaper to deploy. Having a static IP and guessing which IP address is available is really bothersome and time-consuming, especially for those who are not familiar with the process.
What is the best DHCP IP range? ›
The most used configuration for dhcp server is the range from 192.168. 1.2 - 192.168. 1.254 with the subnet mask 255.255. 255.0 ( /24 ) has 254 usable IP addresses.
When should I turn off DHCP? ›
Reasons to Turn DHCP Off
A prime example is if you're running a server, such as a self-hosted web server. You'll need a consistent way to contact said server, and the easiest path to achieve that is to give it a static IP address, i.e. you'll actually configure the machine with an IP address yourself.
What 4 things does DHCP do? ›
DHCP operations fall into four phases: server discovery, IP lease offer, IP lease request, and IP lease acknowledgement. These stages are often abbreviated as DORA for discovery, offer, request, and acknowledgement. The DHCP operation begins with clients broadcasting a request.
What is the benefit of using DHCP on your network? ›
DHCP provides the following benefits. Reliable IP address configuration. DHCP minimizes configuration errors caused by manual IP address configuration, such as typographical errors, or address conflicts caused by the assignment of an IP address to more than one computer at the same time. Reduced network administration.
Is it safe to enable DHCP? ›
DHCP doesn't have any authentication, so it is vulnerable to cyberattacks. DHCP can be exploited in the following ways: Unauthorized DHCP servers can provide false information to clients. Unauthorized clients can also intercept DHCP servers and obtain access to resources.
Should I enable DHCP for gaming? ›
It depends on what you are trying to achieve. If you require a more consistent or reliable connection, then having a static IP address could be beneficial. However, many people opt for using DHCP as it automatically assigns an IP address and doesn't need to be configured.
Should DHCP be enabled on a router or a server? ›
Using router as DHCP server is preferable choice. This is especially true for network setups that need to support DHCP for IPv4 and DHCP for IPv6 at the same time. Both IPv4 and IPv6 can be managed through the same management interface because almost all DHCP server suppliers support both protocols.
Does DHCP improve performance? ›
DHCP also reduces network congestion by minimizing the broadcast traffic that occurs when devices use static IP addresses. Broadcast traffic is when a device sends a message to all devices on the network, which can consume bandwidth and slow down the network performance.
Should I disable DHCP for gaming? ›
DHCP is not necessary for gamers. What is necessary for gamers is that they have a publicly routed IP address assignment and not one that is NAT (process of Network Address Translation) behind a firewall. On our network, the default is to have the customer on the private network which is NAT behind our firewall.
