Router as DHCP & DNS Server

Avocado Aun
3 min readJan 28, 2023

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A router is the gateway to the Internet. Routers are often used as a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server and DNS Server in a home network.

Router as DHCP server

Routers are set as the DHCP server in a LAN because routers typically connect multiple devices to a network and manage their communication. DHCP is a protocol that automatically assigns IP addresses to devices that connect to a network, which means that when a device connects to a router’s network, the router can assign an IP address to that device.

There are several reasons why routers are commonly used as DHCP servers:

  1. Centralized management: A router is often the central hub of a home or small office network, and using it as a DHCP server allows for easy management of IP addresses for all devices connected to the network.
  2. Cost-effective: Routers are relatively inexpensive, and many models have built-in DHCP functionality, so there is no need to purchase additional hardware or software.
  3. Simplicity: DHCP is a simple protocol that does not require much configuration. By using a router as a DHCP server, users do not have to worry about setting up and managing separate DHCP servers.
  4. Scalability: Routers are designed to handle multiple connections and can easily assign IP addresses to a large number of devices.

In summary, routers are commonly used as DHCP servers because they are cost-effective, easy to set up and manage, and can handle multiple connections. This makes it simple and convenient for users to connect devices to their networks and manage the IP addresses of those devices.

Router as DNS Server

A router is often used as a DNS (Domain Name System) server in home or small office networks because it is the central hub of the network and it can handle the DNS resolution requests from the devices in the network.

There are several reasons why routers are commonly used as DNS servers:

  1. Centralized management: A router is often the central hub of a home or small office network, and using it as a DNS server allows for easy management of DNS resolution for all devices connected to the network.
  2. Cost-effective: Routers are relatively inexpensive, and many models have built-in DNS functionality, so there is no need to purchase additional hardware or software.
  3. Simplicity: DNS is a simple protocol that does not require much configuration. By using a router as a DNS server, users do not have to worry about setting up and managing separate DNS servers.
  4. Scalability: Routers are designed to handle multiple connections and can easily handle DNS resolution requests from a large number of devices.
  5. Security: Some routers also provide the ability to filter out malicious or unwanted DNS requests, which can help protect the network from malware and other security threats.

In summary, routers are commonly used as DNS servers because they are cost-effective, easy to set up and manage, and can handle multiple connections. This makes it simple and convenient for users to connect devices to their networks and resolve domain names to IP addresses. Additionally, routers can also provide an extra layer of security by filtering unwanted or malicious DNS requests.

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Avocado Aun
Avocado Aun

Written by Avocado Aun

I’m just a little boy, lost in the tech world. But remember, love is a riddle, and life with tech is more amazing than ever

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