dynamic host configuration protocol (dhcp) is an internet protocol that simplifies the task of administering a large network. a device defined as a dhcp server automatically assigns ip addresses to network computers from a defined pool of numbers. you can define the firebox as a dhcp server for the customer network behind the firewall.

    one parameter that you define for a dhcp server is lease times. this is the amount of time a dhcp client can use an ip address that it receives from the dhcp server. when the time is close to expiring, the client contacts the dhcp server to renew the lease.

    from policy manager:

    1 select network =] dhcp server.

    the dhcp server dialog box appears, as shown in the following figure.

   

    2 enable the checkbox marked enable dhcp server.

    3 enter the default lease time for the server.

    the default lease time is provided to clients that do not specifically request times.

    4 enter the maximum lease time.

    the maximum lease time is the longest time the server will provide for a client. if a client requests a longer time, the request is denied and the maximum lease time is provided.