Configuring AP-based DHCP Service Settings

Using DHCP service settings, configure an AP to assign private IP addresses to Wi-Fi clients and wired clients without the need for a separate DHCP server (router).

Before you configure the DHCP Service, consider the following:

  • There must be a minimum of one and a maximum of 10 APs acting as Gateway AP (GAP) based on the topology when configuring DHCP server and NAT router. There is no count on the number of APs acting as Non-Gateway APs (NGAP).
  • For a single NGAP, connect Ethernet0 of NGAP to LAN port (usually Ethernet1) of GAP.
  • For more than one NGAP, Layer2 switch is required to connect the LAN port of GAPs to all the NGAPs.
  • For APs having more than two Ethernet ports, all the Ethernet ports except the WAN backhaul (usually Ethernet0) is configured as LAN ports. In such cases, a separate switch is not required.

To configure DHCP services:

  1. From the main menu go to Services > DHCP & NAT > DHCP Setting (AP).
  2. Select a Zone from the zone list on the left side of the screen, and click Enable DHCP Service.

    The DHCP Settings window opens.

    DHCP Settings Wizard

  3. In the Base Settings, select the DHCP Configuration as follows:
    • Enable on Each AP: Each AP in this zone gets the IP address from the WAN router and runs its own DHCP server instance. This option is typically used when APs are at different sites and roaming is not required.
    • Enable on Multiple APs: Designate, which APs provide DHCP or NAT service. This option is typically used when multiple APs are at the same site and roaming is required. This option also allows whether to automatically or manually specify which APs provide DHCP service.
    • Enable on Hierarchical APs: Designate, which APs provide DHCP or NAT service. The DHCP server connects to the WAN AP and the other APs get their private IP address from the local IP address pool with VLAN ID 1 from the DHCP server AP.
  4. Click Next.
  5. In Select Pools, select up to four DHCP pools to assign client IP addresses.
    Note: For the Enable on Hierarchical APs DHCP configuration, one of the pools must be VLAN ID 1.

    Selecting Pools

    Note: If DHCP pools are not created, click the icon and configure the IP address pool as described in the Creating an AP DHCP Pool.
  6. Click Next. The Select APs screen appears.
    Note: If Auto Select AP is selected on the first wizard screen, this configuration screen is skipped.
  7. On the Select APs wizard screen, select the APs specific to the base DHCP settings.
    Note: For the Enable on Multiple APs DHCP configuration, select a maximum of two APs for DHCP service (primary and secondary) and a maximum of 10 APs for NAT Gateway.

    Selecting APs

  8. Click Next. The Port Settings screen is displayed.
  9. On the Port Settings screen, (only applicable to Enable on Each AP or Enable on Hierarchical APs configurations) click DHCP AP Port Selection to configure the port settings for Enable on Each AP.

    Configure the following:

    Note: It is recommended to use Dynamic WAN Port Detection option or disable DHCP AP Port Selection for AP models with more than two wired ports, where LAN1 and LAN2 do not map to Ethernet0 and Ethernet1 interfaces respectively, and where both are not PoE in ports.
    • Dynamic WAN Port Detection(DWPD): It is recommended to use this option when different models of gateway APs are present in the zone. The ports detected by DHCP service as WAN and LAN cannot be configured manually. Remaining ports, if any, can be configured as follows:
      • For specific models of APs, use the Ethernet option in AP Model Specific Configuration.
      • For each individual AP, use the Ethernet option in Override zone configuration.
    • WAN Port Selection: Manually assign port to WAN and LAN. This setting overrides the original port configuration of a zone. It is recommended to use GAP of the same model are present in the zone. The ports selected by the DHCP service cannot be configured manually. Rest of the ports, if any, can be configured manually using Ethernet options. Select the LAN1 and LAN2 options from the drop-down. Remaining ports, if any, can be configured as follows:
      • For specific models of APs, use the Ethernet option in AP Model Specific Configuration.
      • For each individual AP, use the Ethernet option in Override zone configuration.

    DHCP AP Port Settings

  10. Click Next.
  11. On the Review screen, review the settings to make sure everything is correct. Once you are satisfied with your settings, click OK to confirm.
You have configured the DHCP server settings and applied them to an AP (or multiple APs). These APs will now provide DHCP or NAT functionality and assign IP addresses to wireless clients from the DHCP address pools specified.
Parent topic: DHCP & NAT