WFWG 3.11 DHCP Client Does Not Release IP Address

• Microsoft Windows for Workgroups
• Microsoft TCP/IP-32 for Windows for Workgroups, versions 3.11, 3.11a, and 3.11b

SYMPTOMS

A Windows for Workgroups 3.11 DHCP client running TCP/IP-32 does not release and unbind its IP address from the Network Interface Card (NIC) even after the lease has expired until the user acknowledges the pop-up message that is displayed on the screen indicating that the lease has expired.

CAUSE

This particular situation can arise when a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server is not available on the network to renew the client lease at the time of expiration. The client, after repeated attempts to renew the current lease, will try to obtain a new lease thereafter. If it fails to get a new lease as well, it should relinquish the current lease and release the IP address it is currently using.

This can also create duplicate addresses on the network, when the DHCP server reuses the address and leases it to another client because the earlier lease had expired.

RESOLUTION

The module Vdhcp.386 was changed to release the IP address before displaying the dialog box.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in TCP/IP32. A fix to this problem is in development, but has not been regression tested and may be destabilizing in production environments. Microsoft does not recommend implementing this fix at this time. Contact Microsoft Product Support Services for more information on the availability of this fix.

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbnetwork prodtcp32
Version : WINDOWS:
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbbug