2540e6b5   
   XPost: comp.arch.embedded, sci.electronics.design   
   From: gah@ugcs.caltech.edu   
      
   In comp.protocols.tcp-ip Didi  wrote:   
   (snip)   
      
   > Yes. And this works fine if the customer has internet, but I know   
   > I won't be lucky all the time...(so far so good, though :-) ).   
      
   Internet or not, most have DHCP, but not all.  Many will want   
   any such devices statically addressed.   
      
   If the device has non-volatile memory (usually flash) then   
   it can store its IP address.  DHCP came when diskless machines   
   had no non-volatile memory other than factory configured ROMs.   
   (One with the ethernet MAC address in them, another with the boot code.   
      
   If not, then you can require DHCP.  Many DHCP servers allow one   
   to configure static assignments based on ethernet MAC address.   
      
   If the DHCP server has a log file, then it is easy to find the   
   recently assigned address.  Otherwise, a ping to the broadcast   
   address for the subnet will find some, but not all, devices.   
   (They will get ARP entries if they reply to the ping.)   
      
   If the device has an LCD or other display, then you can have a   
   way to find the IP address through the display, and configure   
   any stored addresses.   
      
      
   -- glen   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)