If you are an automation engineer or industrial technician, you know the frustration of setting up IP addresses on out-of-the-box EtherNet/IP modules like the 1756-ENBT, 1756-EN2T, or Point I/O adapters. Rockwell’s utility is designed to handle this, but it is notorious for compatibility glitches on modern operating systems.
Add the following basic lines to enable a DHCP server and BOOTP/PXE features.
The BOOTP server cannot assign an IP address if your own laptop doesn’t have a fixed identity on the subnet. bootp dhcp server 23 download better
Router# show ip dhcp binding Router# show ip dhcp pool
BOOTP DHCP Server is a software application that provides a centralized mechanism for managing IP addresses and other network settings for devices on a network. It is based on the BOOTP protocol, which was introduced in the late 1980s as a way to automate the process of assigning IP addresses to devices on a network. Over time, BOOTP evolved into the DHCP protocol, which is widely used today. If you are an automation engineer or industrial
Click "Disable BOOTP" so the IP sticks after a reboot. If you miss step 4, the device loses its IP, and you start over. 3. Incompatibility with New OS
The is a specialized standalone utility developed by Rockwell Automation primarily used for commissioning industrial EtherNet/IP devices like PLCs and drives. While BOOTP (Bootstrap Protocol) is an older predecessor to DHCP, this specific version remains essential for assigning initial IP addresses to factory-new hardware that lacks a default network configuration. Key Features of Version 2.3 The BOOTP server cannot assign an IP address
Whether you are using version 23 or a "better," updated version, the process remains similar, but superior tools make it more reliable:
Version 2.3.2 specifically fixed critical bugs found in earlier releases, such as crashes when opening new files and failures to set local network IP addresses. How to Download the Tool
We need to edit the Dnsmasq configuration file. Create a backup of the default file and a new configuration.
In industrial automation and legacy network management, the Rockwell Automation BOOTP/DHCP tool (often associated with older versions or the 2.3 series) has been a staple for assigning IP addresses to devices like PLCs and drives. However, as network technology evolves in 2026, relying on this legacy tool can hinder efficiency.