ok i got my cable modem working, but with a big snag, if i try to do an ifdown and then an if up on it, instaad of it going to the DHCP server to get an IP it assigns itself one of 192.168.0.212 or something of the like, does that as well when i do a "service network restart" only way to get a real ip is to reboot the machine, any one have any ideas on how to fix that?

not sure on that one, but does it have problems attaining an IP on its own after the lease on the IP is up..... or are trying to release it after it doesn't attain one automatically?

it has problems getting an ip after the lease is up yes.
it also has problems releasing it after it either doesn't get one or after it gets that fake one.

I don't have any direct input regarding your problem, but just a little info:

The 192.168.0.xxx IP isn't a "fake" IP, but it is a special IP. Each of the common classes of networks (class A, B, and C) has a range of non-routeable addresses which are reserved for use on an internal network (hence the non-routeable part; they can't be used on the Internet). 192.168.0.xxx addresses are the reserved range for a class C network.

The only reason I mention this is that some operating systems will assign one of these IP addresses to the network interface if they are configured for DHCP, but can't obtain a lease for some reason (the computer isn't connected to a network, the DHCP server is down, etc.). I know this to be true of MacIntosh operating systems prior to version 9.x. In the Mac's case, it defaults to an address in the 169.254.xxx.xxx range, which is the reserved range for a class B network.

How does it react when issuing:

dhcpd -k (releases lease)

and

dhcpd -n (renews lease)


Lemme know what happens when you try that above commands.

Any chance your machine has a DHCP server running? or maybe one on the cable router? Or another machine on your network? If there is.. then they might be getting those 192.168.0.x addresses from one of these rogue servers instead of the one at your ISP. It makes sense that if you have DHCP server somewhere on your internal network, it will be getting a broadcast response from there first and not your ISP.

Kevin

nothing else is running a dhcp server, all i have is a windows machine and a mac, but een if i disconnect those and do an ifdown if up on it it brings back that 192.168.0.212 addy. i'll try the dhcp switches when i get home, is it possible my linux box ix acting as its own dhcp server, how do i find out? and if so how do i turn it off and what RPM do i remove

I don't know if its possible for the Linux machine to be running its own DHCP server and have it give itself an address... but if you don't remember setting it up, then its probably not running one.

BUT... your cable modem could easily be running one.