I've setup a simple "server" type box with no X11 using Arch Linux. I've configured it to use DHCP when plugged into a network, which is fine.

I'm told the end user may sometimes want to connect it directly to a Windows PC (presumably in its default network configuration of using DHCP) with either a crossover cable or a hub, but no DHCP server. They want to access a few files on the box, currently shared with Samba.

I was thinking I could just install dhcpd and allow them to start and stop it, but it seems that dhcpd requires a statically configured IP on the interface which matches the subnet definition it has. It can't serve an address to the machine's own interface as the first client! (At least, I can't see how).

Is there a simple solution to this, or should I be looking at Avahi/Zeroconf? I have very little understanding of those so if people think they could be the right solution I need a couple of hints to narrow my research please.

Note, these shared files are text files not media files, in case it makes a difference.

Thanks!

Just use manual access

set the windows machine up to use

IP 192.168.1.1
NM 255.255.255.0
GW 192.168.1.2

then setup the linux machine to use

IP 192.168.1.2
NM 255.255.255.0
GW 192.168.1.1

This will work perfect.

Hi Ken.. thanks for the suggestion, but the problem is that the end-user may plug this box into networks where DHCP is available, or they may try and link it directly to another single PC where no DHCP is available. I need it to work in both situations automatically, ideally without user intervention. Configuring network settings by hand is definitely out, although switching profiles or starting and/or stopping a daemon would be OK (I've created a text menu system for them).