For the current system, I would recommend DHCP reservation instead of static IP addresses. DHCP reservation is an automatic system that is used to assign an IP address to any devices connected to a particular network, to facilitate their communication. DHCP removes the human input required with static IP configurations (Rouse, n.d), which need frequent IP input and changes to facilitate communication via IP addresses. To facilitate ease of flow and to reduce administrated overhead, network administrators can simply use DHCP to reserve IP addresses. Wireless devices do not require a permanent IP address. Hence they are more suited for DHCP. Devices that require a permanent IP address are more suitable with Static IP Addresses such as switches or web servers (Rouse, n.d)
Long lease times are advantageous since the IP addresses of the devices are stable, i.e., the IP address does not frequently change (Kozierok, 2005). This is beneficial when extended operations are being done such as specific server functions and accepting incoming connections. A constant IP address which is achieved by having a long lease time would facilitate such operations to be conducted smoothly. Long lease times can be a disadvantage due to prolonged time that the IP address is tied up before it can be re-used (Kozierok, 2005). Short lease times are preferred due to the short amount of time that the IP address is tied up when no longer in use (Kozierok, 2005). A short lease time prompts the client to constantly renew the lease until it is no longer needed. The constant renewal of lease time may be a disadvantage for clients operating long operations, since it may make the network unstable.
IF the DCHP server is unavailable for a short period, long lease times would not be affected, however, devices on very short lease times may become unstable. The lease times in an organization with various devices would vary depending on the devices. A desktop default lease time would be 8days, Printers-60days, servers-60 days, Desk phones 30 days and mobile phones 8 hours (Microsoft, 2012).
References
Kozierok, C. M. (2005). DHCP Leases, Lease Length Policies and Management. The TCP/IP GUide. Retrieved from http://www.tcpipguide.com/free/t_DHCPLeasesLeaseLengthPoliciesandManagement-2.htm
Microsoft. (2012). Using DHCP policies to set different lease durations for different device types. Microsoft -Technet, n.d. Retrieved from https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/teamdhcp/2012/09/22/using-dhcp-policies-to-set-different-lease-durations-for-different-device-types/
Rouse, M. (n.d). DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). SearchNetworking. Retrieved from https://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definition/DHCP
