N00B question

[wilsonian]

i want to set up a DHCP server - but i'm not sure this is what i want.

i'm currently setting up a PC that has over 500Gb of storage and would like it to act as both a file server (no problem just share drives) and a proxy server. but i don't want to set up ICS, i want to asign my own IP address so i can use file sharing on MSN MSNGER etc.

would this be the best option and if so how would i go about creating one?

[slugs]

you isp will allocate the ip address you can purchase services with fixed ip addresses. you can use services like no-ip to assign a domain name to track your changing ip address.

[DaBeeeenster]

You dont have to run a DHCP server. You can assign a ststic internal IP addresses to the other machines on your LAN manually if you like. That's probably simpler to start off with.

What is your network topology? Am I right in saying you want to have your server conneccted to the Internet (either via ADSL or Cable) and a second Network card running from the server to a hub, with client machines running off the hub?

[wilsonian]

it's set up like so - using std windows ICS atm, using the BT "frog modem" (USB) then the NIC goes to the hub and the rest of the PC's are set up with automatic IP asign so they can see the internet.

[Jiff Lemon]

Originally posted by wilsonian
i want to asign my own IP address so i can use file sharing on MSN MSNGER etc.

would this be the best option and if so how would i go about creating one?

Assigning yourself IP addresses is not going to help you with File sharing in MSN messenger.

If you can't use the file sharing part of MSN, it's more to do with how you're routing onto the internet.

Essentially you'll need a Upnp compatible router. ICS through XP or (i believe) Windows Me is capable of this.

If you're running ICS, you're already running a dhcp service - you just probably didn't realise!

[DaBeeeenster]

Messenger version 5 is pretty good at sending files even if uPNP is not available. Is everyone using MSN 5 that you are trying to send to? What version are you running?