Is there a way to renew a DHCP address on your Linux desktop?

Novell Cool Solutions: Trench
By Joe Harmon

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Posted: 19 Sep 2005

Applies To:

Note: In this example we will be using the interface eth0. The interface must be configured for DHCP as up and running.

Edit the file called dhcp as root. It can be found in the /etc/sysconfig/network directory.
Find the parameter labeled DHCLIENT_RELEASE_BEFORE_QUIT="no" and change the no to yes so that it then reads DHCLIENT_RELEASE_BEFORE_QUIT="yes".
Take the eth0 interface down and then back up again by typing ifdown eth0 and ifup eth0 within a terminal.
Type ifconfig to show the new IP address. It should change every time that the interface is brought down and back up again.

What about ifdown-dhcp eth0 and ifup-dhcp eth0 ?
If you get "**** dhcpcd: not running" when typing dhcpcd -k (aparently because the dhcp server was down here a while ago) just do the ifdown eth0 ifup eth0 to start it up again. Then it worked like a charm.
It is not quite correct what you say here. With "ifdown eth0" and "ifup eth0" you will get a new address via DHCP. Every time you restart an interface which requires an address via DHCP, it will send a new request, so you'll get a new address. You don't need the "dhcpcd -k". And the parameter "DHCLIENT_RELEASE_BEFORE_QUIT" is not necessary. It only tells the DHCP-client to send a "RELEASE" message to the server when the interface is deactivated. So you will probably get a new address, not the one you used before. But that does not help if you e.g. changed the locations and simply want a new address from the new network.
It's easier to remember 'ifdown eth0' than to remember 'dhcpd -k' since you need to type 'ifup eth0' also.

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