Chapter 4. Client Machine Configuration

Table of Contents

4.1. Using DHCP for client machines
4.1.1. LAN with m0n0wall as DHCP Server
4.1.2. LAN with Existing DHCP Server
4.2. Static IP addresses for client machines

Now you need to get one of your client machines configured so you can access the webGUI to finish the configuration. A client machine is any Ethernet device (such as a computer, network printer or scanner, network camera...) that is connected to the LAN network of the m0n0wall PC. These devices will use the m0n0wall PC to reach the Internet and they will be protected by your m0n0wall configuration.

If you are using the DHCP server built-into the m0n0wall system, these client machines will be receiving all of their IP configuration from the m0n0wall PC, even if they are not expected to connect to the Internet.

Tip

If you have any servers in your LAN network such as a file or print server, you will want them to have fixed, non-changing IP addresses. Either assign them a fixed DHCP address or a static IP address.

4.1. Using DHCP for client machines

If you aren't familiar with networking, the easiest thing to do is set all your client machines to obtain their IP address from DHCP. m0n0wall enables its DHCP server on the LAN interface by default.

4.1.1. LAN with m0n0wall as DHCP Server

If you are going to use your m0n0wall as a DHCP server, set the client computer you will be using to access the webGUI to obtain its IP address using DHCP. Then release and renew your DHCP lease and you will get a lease from m0n0wall. The procedures to release and renew vary by the client machine's operating system, but if you don't know how to do this, a reboot of the client computer will achieve the same result.

4.1.2. LAN with Existing DHCP Server

If you have an existing DHCP server on your LAN, you just need to set your m0n0wall's LAN IP address as the default gateway address assigned by your DHCP server. This is because your LAN traffic is expected to be going through the LAN interface of your m0n0wall PC so that m0n0wall can protect your network traffic.

When you get into the webGUI, you'll need to disable m0n0wall's DHCP server. You can also disable it from the console as described in the last chapter.