Fixed IP address necessary?

[Paul in San Diego]

I'm taking over a network tomorrow (friday) that is peer to peer, but also
has a server. It has fixed IP's on all 7 computers and each one has the
secondary drive in the server MAPPED so that they can backup their data on
it.

They've got a four port router plugged into the four port router on the DSL
modem, daisy chaining them. I want to install a single 8-port router,
Cisco, to eliminate part-time network failure. They have currently a cheapo
router plugged in to the DSL Router, and the cables are questionable.

My goal is to install a single 8-port Linksys/Cisco, use the Uplink Port to
the DSL router, and use DHCP to control the IP's

Question: since all the computers have that secondary drive in the server
MAPPED for b/u purposes, will DHCP cause a problem or should I just keep the
IP addresses that are already assigned?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Enkidu]

I'm taking over a network tomorrow (friday) that is peer to peer, but also
has a server. It has fixed IP's on all 7 computers and each one has the
secondary drive in the server MAPPED so that they can backup their data on
it.

They've got a four port router plugged into the four port router on the DSL
modem, daisy chaining them. I want to install a single 8-port router,
Cisco, to eliminate part-time network failure. They have currently a cheapo
router plugged in to the DSL Router, and the cables are questionable.

My goal is to install a single 8-port Linksys/Cisco, use the Uplink Port to
the DSL router, and use DHCP to control the IP's

Question: since all the computers have that secondary drive in the server
MAPPED for b/u purposes, will DHCP cause a problem or should I just keep the
IP addresses that are already assigned?

Can't see that switching a 4 port router for another 8 port
router is going to make any difference, but maybe I missed
something.

Keep the server IP fixed and set its IP up in the client
hosts file and it should be fine. But for that number of
computers it is debatable whether or not DHCP saves you
anything.

Cheers,

Cliff

 

[Paul in San Diego]

The only thing I want to do with having one router, is have the whole
network on ONE rather than splitting it. And I want to have a good, name
brand router instead of Dlink. Anything that I can do to give them 100%
uptime instead of it going on and off.