IP Network Range Expanded for newsouthnet

To keep pace with the need for IP addresses on the newsouthnet subnet, the IP network range for that subnet was expanded on June 22 2005.

Existing devices attached to newsouthnet will continue to function without requiring any reconfiguration. Customers with existing devices on newsouthnet need read no further.

Technical Information

Prior to the change, newsouthnet was IP network 128.112.188.0/22. (That is, the IP addresses ranged from 128.112.188.0 through 128.112.191.255; the IP network mask was 255.255.252.0.) The default IP router was 128.112.188.1.

As a result of the change, newsouthnet is now network 128.112.184.0/21. (That is, the IP addresses ranges from 128.112.184.0 through 128.112.191.255; the IP network mask is 255.255.248.0.) The default IP router is 128.112.184.1.

Existing devices attached to newsouthnet as of June 22 2005 that remain configured to use the old network mask 255.255.252.0 and the old default router 128.112.188.1 will continue to work with no reconfiguration necessary.

For existing devices attached to newsouthnet:

• Devices that are configured to learn their IP settings via BootP will learn the new values when they next reboot.

• Devices that are configured to learn their IP settings via DHCP will learn the new values the next tine they boot after their existing DHCP lease expires or is invalidated.

  This may not happen for a long time for most DHCP clients that are homed on newsouthnet and remain attached to that network. That's because most DHCP clients will keep renewing their existing 24-hour lease, even after a reboot. Although there is no need to do so, a customer who wishes to force a device to learn the new information could leave the device powered off for at least 24 hours, or temporarily reconfigure the device to use BootP then switch back to DHCP, or tell the device to "release" its DHCP lease. Again, there is no pressing need to do so.

• Existing devices that are configured to obtain their IP settings manually will not learn of the new values. They can be left as is; the old values will continue to work.

  Customers that desire to reconfigure these devices may do so; the values to update are the IP subnet mask (255.255.248.0), default IP router (128.112.184.1), and the IP broadcast adddress (128.112.184.0). All three values should be changed together; don't try to mix and match old values with new values. (Many devices do not have a place to manually set the IP broadcast address; on those devices, you change only the IP subnet mask and default IP router.)

For new devices attached to newsouthnet beginning June 22 2005:

• Devices that are configured to learn their IP settings via BootP or DHCP will do so when they boot.

• Devices that are configured to obtain their IP settings manually must be configured using the new values.