DHCP in Windows 9x

[vipin]

Hello Everyone,
We have a network of around 2500 PC. Majority of PCs are Windows 95 or Windows 98.
Currently most of PCs have Static IP address (sigh). I wana to change the settings from Static to DHCP.
My DHCP server is runnig fine and is issuing TCP/IP address to all DHCP enabled clients.
My question is is there is any way like...Script or registry settings, by which i can change all Static IP based PC to get the TCP/IP address from my running DHCP server.
thanks
regards
Vipin

[POBrien]

I searched in the registry and was unable to find the value data to change the option to "Obtain and IP
automatically". (If there is one).

I took a different approach and here's the results....

Copy everything below between the lines and paste into notepad. Save the file as dhcp.reg on to your
server share.

__________________________________________________ __

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\Class\NetTrans\0000]
"IPAddress"=""
"IPMask"=""
"DefaultGateway"=""
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\Class\NetTrans\0001]
"IPAddress"=""
"IPMask"=""
"DefaultGateway"=""
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\Class\NetTrans\0002]
"IPAddress"=""
"IPMask"=""
"DefaultGateway"=""
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\Class\NetTrans\0003]
"IPAddress"=""
"IPMask"=""
"DefaultGateway"=""
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\Class\NetTrans\0004]
"IPAddress"=""
"IPMask"=""
"DefaultGateway"=""
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\Class\NetTrans\0005]
"IPAddress"=""
"IPMask"=""
"DefaultGateway"=""
__________________________________________________ ___

(You may wonder why so many different 000x subkeys. Answer = Not all stations will have the static ip info
defaulting to 0000. It may be 0001 or 0002 and so on. I figured 6 entries will cover it).

Next, create a second file with the contents below and save it as dhcp.bat in your
%systemroot%\SYSTEM32\Repl\Import\Scripts
folder.

__________________________________________________ _

regedit /s \\server\share\dhcp.reg

__________________________________________________ ___

now you can add the dhcp.bat execution entry to your original login script.


Result = When the user logs on their ip info will default to "" which is nothing. The radio button will have
auto changed to "Obtain an IP automatically".

I haven't tested the network implementation yet....

concerns =

#1

When the user logs on, their current ip info is static for a moment until the login script completes. Even after
the logon completes a reboot is required because the current static ip info is still held in memory.

work around =

when your ready to make the switch
Inform all users to reboot. (I don't think they can logoff/on because the changes take place in
HKEY_Local_Machine and not Current_User.
The tcpip stack needs to bind to the OSI model.

#2

I also noticed when I went to the net properties and changed the settings to "obtain automatically" I was
prompted for my 98 cd rom for additional files.
Since adding those files I have not been prompted since.
(this could be a problem since dhcp won't bind correctly without the appropriate files).

workaround = determine the exact files dhcp needs and copy them down on to the stations in the
appropriate folder(s) before the reg inclusion. This action should stop the source file prompt on reboot.

Can you please let me/us know if my suggestion worked?

Thanks

P

[vipin]

Thanks P, due to Easter & Bank holiday i wont be able to try this until Tuesday.
I will let you know the result by Tuesday noon.
cheers :)

Vipin

[POBrien]

Got it V. Thanks for the status!!