Issues with DHCP Leases for USB Ethernet Adapters
Asked by
TechWhiz42
I recently started using new laptops without built-in network interface cards (NICs), so we're relying on USB-C to Ethernet adapters. During the imaging process where multiple laptops are being set up using the same adapter, I've run into a problem. After imaging one laptop, I find I have to manually clear the DHCP lease for that adapter before I can image another. If I don't, the next laptop ends up with a 169 IP address. Is this behavior typical? I thought the DHCP server would simply reassign the same lease to an adapter that previously had one. Is there a setting I can adjust to avoid this manual intervention?
Answers
If the MAC address isn't changing, the easiest solution is to reduce your DHCP lease time. Setting it to a shorter duration can help accommodate the imaging process without needing manual intervention.
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It sounds like moving the adapter is causing a new client ID to be requested. Even though the MAC address stays the same, DHCP sees the different client ID and won't issue an IP. You could try spoofing the MAC of the adapter as a workaround.
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You could also run the command `ipconfig /release` at the end of the imaging process to free up the IP address. This might help streamline the process for you.
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You might want to check the BIOS settings on your laptops. Usually, there's an option like 'MAC Address Passthrough' that can help. It allows the laptop to use its own MAC address for the lease instead of the USB-C adapter's MAC, which can solve your issue during imaging.
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