A Windows-based computer that is configured to use DHCP can automatically assign itself an Internet Protocol (IP) address if a DHCP server is not available. For example, this could occur on a network without a DHCP server, or on a network if a DHCP server is temporarily down for maintenance.
With this feature, a Windows computer can assign itself an Internet Protocol (IP) address in the event that a DHCP server is not available or does not exist on the network. This feature makes configuring and supporting a small Local Area Network (LAN) running TCP/IP less difficult.
The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) has reserved 169.254.0.0-169.254.255.255 for Automatic Private IP Addressing. As a result, APIPA provides an address that is guaranteed not to conflict with routable addresses.
After the network adapter has been assigned an IP address, the computer can use TCP/IP to communicate with any other computer that is connected to the same LAN and that is also configured for APIPA or has the IP address manually set to the 169.254.x.y (where x.y is the client’s unique identifier) address range with a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0. Note that the computer cannot communicate with computers on other subnets, or with computers that do not use automatic private IP addressing. Automatic private IP addressing is enabled by default.
To disable APIPA, please read How to disable APIPA.
Is my computer using APIPA now?
Windows 98/ME
You can also determine whether your computer is using APIPA by using the Winipcfg tool in Windows Millennium Edition, Windows 98, or Windows 98 Second Edition: Click Start, click Run, type “winipcfg” (without the quotation marks), and then click OK. Click More Info. If the IP Autoconfiguration Address box contains an IP address within the 169.254.x.x range, Automatic Private IP Addressing is enabled. If the IP Address box exists, automatic private IP addressing is not currently enabled.
Windows 2000/XP/2003
For Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Server 2003, you can determine whether your computer is using APIPA by using the IPconfig command at a command prompt: Click Start, click Run, type “cmd” (without the quotation marks), and then click OK to open a MS-DOS command line window. Type “ipconfig /all” (without the quotation marks), and then hit the ENTER key. If the `Autoconfiguration Enabled` line says “Yes”, and the `Autoconfiguration IP Address` is 169.254.x.y (where x.y is the client`s unique identifier), then the computer is using APIPA. If the `Autoconfiguration Enabled` line says “No”, then the computer is not currently using APIPA.
Examples of Where APIPA May Be Useful
Example 1
No Previous IP Address and no DHCP Server When your Windows-based computer (configured for DHCP) is initializing, it broadcasts three or more “discover” messages. If a DHCP server does not respond after several discover messages are broadcast, the Windows computer assigns itself a Class B (APIPA) address. Then the Windows computer will display an error message to the user of the computer (providing it has never been assigned an IP address from a DHCP server in the past). The Windows computer will then send out a Discover message every three minutes in an attempt to establish communications with a DHCP server.
Example 2
Previous IP Address and no DHCP Server The computer checks for the DHCP server and if none are found, an attempt is made to contact the default gateway. If the default gateway replies, then the Windows computer retains the previously-leased IP address. However, if the computer does not receive a response from the default gateway or if none are assigned, then it uses the automatic private IP addressing feature to assign itself an IP address. An error message is presented to the user and discover messages are transmitted every 3 minutes. Once a DHCP server comes on line, a message is generated stating communications have been re-established with a DHCP Server.
Example 3
Lease Expires and no DHCP Server The Windows-based computer tries to re-establish the lease of the IP address. If the Windows computer does not find a DHCP server, it assigns itself an IP address after generating an error message. The computer then broadcasts a discover message every 3 minutes until a DHCP server comes on line. A message is then generated stating that communications have been re-established with the DHCP Server.