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Tay · 08-11-2004, 12:34

A MAC address is supposed to be a unique HARDWARE based serial number of your network card. It consists of 12 digits usually seperated by dots. eg: A0.12.23.34.45.56. You cannot change the physical address of this card, it is possible however, to spoof (Disguise) the MAC address, but this is another story.

It would seem however that MAC address is a red herring as has been stated. XP appears unable to detect the MAC address. If you are getting a DHCP server assisgned "Valid" IP address then the mechanism is working (Simply that XP is unwilling to show it).

The negotiation process for an IP is pretty straight forward In basic terms, Your PC is setup for DHCP client, when you power on it sends a broadcast out on to the network and a DHCP server should respond, it then assigns you an IP address that is then linked (Virtually) to your MAC address. hey presto you have an IP address. You are leased the IP address only, after a certain time the IP address can be renegotiated for or the DHCP server releases it to be used by somebody else.

If your connection is dropping and you keep the same IP address when it restarts, then I suspect that it is not the DHCP negotiation process but something external, cables, cable service, something overheating, PC, software etc.

If you are losing the IP address then it may be that your service is physically stopping OR your lease has run out and is unable to renegotiate with the DHCP server to keep the existing address.

08-11-2004, 12:34	#24
Tay Inactive Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 4	Re: Mac address A MAC address is supposed to be a unique HARDWARE based serial number of your network card. It consists of 12 digits usually seperated by dots. eg: A0.12.23.34.45.56. You cannot change the physical address of this card, it is possible however, to spoof (Disguise) the MAC address, but this is another story. It would seem however that MAC address is a red herring as has been stated. XP appears unable to detect the MAC address. If you are getting a DHCP server assisgned "Valid" IP address then the mechanism is working (Simply that XP is unwilling to show it). The negotiation process for an IP is pretty straight forward In basic terms, Your PC is setup for DHCP client, when you power on it sends a broadcast out on to the network and a DHCP server should respond, it then assigns you an IP address that is then linked (Virtually) to your MAC address. hey presto you have an IP address. You are leased the IP address only, after a certain time the IP address can be renegotiated for or the DHCP server releases it to be used by somebody else. If your connection is dropping and you keep the same IP address when it restarts, then I suspect that it is not the DHCP negotiation process but something external, cables, cable service, something overheating, PC, software etc. If you are losing the IP address then it may be that your service is physically stopping OR your lease has run out and is unable to renegotiate with the DHCP server to keep the existing address.