Advantages of activating DHCP on your router

The configuration of the routers is vital for the users. In many cases, erroneous parameters are what prevent LAN and Internet browsing from being safe enough. On this occasion, we will show you the advantages and disadvantages of using DHCP in our home equipment.

By default it is activated in all the equipment supplied by the operators and in those that we acquire on our own. Yes it is true that it provides many comforts to users, but it is also true that there are some disadvantages associated with this configuration. In the end it is a question of needs if the user needs the activated DHCP server or if in fact we are facing an unnecessary function.

Yes it is true that thanks to this function of our router we do not have to "waste" time in configuring the network in the equipment that we connect. Unfortunately, not everything is positive and as we can see, there are some negative points to consider and that more than one will be invited to deactivate this server.

 Advantages of having a DHCP server in our router

The first one seems obvious: time saving. Having this service from our updated router allows all the computers that are connected to obtain the addresses automatically according to the configured address range. That is, the connection and disconnection of equipment, either through cable or Wi-Fi will be made automatically and without the user having to intervene.

That is, the user does not have to worry about anything and it is the router that is responsible for the management of LAN addresses autonomously. Enterprise routers are basic product for any business/enterprise.Very useful when the number of equipment to be handled is high and it would take a long time to establish some control over each of them.

In short, it allows ease of installation and saves time in the process of assigning network parameters to equipment.

Main drawbacks

One of the problems that we find is related above all with security matters. Now that the hacking of Wi-Fi networks is so fashionable, in the case of a DHCP server, the intruder will have an address when they connect. If there is no DHCP pool the address will have to be assigned manually and if we have changed the range the hacker will run into some problems.

The DHCP server also has a problem at the functionality level. Suppose we need to know for some reason the IP address of a computer. In the event that the DHCP server is restarted, the assigned addresses will change completely and we will have to search the computer again.

DHCP enabled or disabled?

It is time to opt for one or another option. Taking into account that security problems weigh down on users and that awareness is growing, from our point of view in a domestic environment we should opt for a disabled DHCP server and assign IP addresses manually. But it is important to reach a consensus between security and user needs. It is also possible to keep the server activated, but with a very small address range. That is, the devices themselves will be configured using fixed IP, while those of friends or guests who occasionally visit our home will use the small pool of DHCP addresses from our router. In this way we will know much better which devices are connected using the DHCP range and detect possible intrusions.

In the end, everything is a matter of finding the consensus that best suits our needs.