If you use DHCP without an alternate configuration and the DHCP client cannot locate a DHCP server, IP autoconfiguration is used to configure the network adapter. The DHCP client continues to attempt to discover a DHCP server on the network every five minutes. If a DHCP server is found, the network adapter is assigned a valid DHCP IP address lease.
If you use DHCP with an alternate configuration, and the DHCP client cannot locate a DHCP server, the alternate configuration is used to configure the network adapter. Normally, there are no additional discovery attempts. However, a DHCP server discovery attempt will occur in the following cases:
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The network adapter is disabled and then enabled again.
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Media (such as network cabling) is disconnected and then reconnected.
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The TCP/IP settings for the adapter are changed, and DHCP remains enabled after these changes.
If a DHCP server is found, the network adapter is assigned a valid DHCP IP address lease.
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