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An IP address reservation is a rule on a router or other DHCP server that gives a recognized device the same local IP address whenever it requests network settings. The device continues to use DHCP automatically; the reservation is configured on the server, not as a manual address on the device.
How an IP address reservation works
When a device joins a network, it asks a DHCP server for network configuration. The server identifies the client and provides the address associated with its reservation. Microsoft defines a DHCP reservation as a preset address supplied to a network interface card when it requests an address from the server (Microsoft Learn: DHCP scopes in Windows Server).
The server must identify the device consistently. Many home routers use the device’s MAC address, while some DHCP implementations use a client identifier, such as DHCP option 61. MikroTik documents using the client identifier when supplied, and otherwise the hardware address, to identify a client (MikroTik RouterOS DHCP documentation). If the device’s network identity changes, its existing reservation may no longer match, so it may need to be updated.
A reservation applies to the local network. It does not assign a public internet address to the device. Google describes DHCP reservations as a way for a Wi-Fi network to assign the same local address to a specific device whenever it connects (Google Home and Nest Help: Set DHCP IP reservation or a static IP address for a device).
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DHCP reservation vs. static IP
Both approaches can make a device’s local address predictable, but the configuration lives in a different place.
| Question | DHCP reservation | Device-configured static IP |
|---|---|---|
| Where is it configured? | On the router or DHCP server. | In the device’s network settings (Microsoft Learn). |
| Does the device use DHCP? | Yes. It requests an address, and the server uses its identity to provide the reserved one. | No DHCP assignment is needed for the manually configured address. |
| What keeps the address predictable? | The server’s reservation and its method of identifying the client. | The address saved in the device’s own network configuration. |
| What needs careful planning? | The reservation, device identifier, subnet, and DHCP pool must agree; avoid competing assignments (Microsoft Learn; Netgate documentation). | Choose an address that the DHCP server will not assign to another device (Microsoft Learn). |
Router menus sometimes use labels such as “static” or “fixed” for a reservation. Check how the address is configured: if it is set on the router or DHCP server and the device still obtains settings automatically, it is a reservation; if entered in the device’s network settings, it is a static IP.
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When to reserve an address
Reserve an address when another device or service on your local network needs to find a particular device at a consistent address. A network printer is one example given by Google. Reservations can also help with other local devices that need predictable addressing, provided their DHCP server supports the feature.
How to reserve an IP address on a router
The exact controls depend on the router. For example, TP-Link Deco instructions use an Address Reservation page in the app, where a user can select a connected device or enter its MAC address and IP address. NETGEAR instructions likewise use an Address Reservation section and the device’s MAC address. These are examples, not universal menu paths (TP-Link Deco support; NETGEAR support).
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- Open the router or DHCP server’s settings. Look for a section named Address Reservation, DHCP Reservation, or a similar term.
- Identify the device. Select it from the connected-device list or enter the identifier requested by the interface, commonly its MAC address.
- Choose an available local IP address. Check the subnet, DHCP pool, and server’s reservation rules before saving it.
- Save the reservation and let the device obtain its settings through DHCP. The address is delivered when the client requests configuration; some devices may need to reconnect or renew their DHCP lease before the change takes effect.
Prevent address conflicts
Coordinate the DHCP pool, reservations, and any manually configured addresses. Microsoft warns that a manually configured address within a DHCP server’s range could also be assigned to another device; it recommends exclusions when manual addresses share that range. Netgate notes that reservations placed inside an address pool can also cause conflicts in some configurations. Follow the rules of the particular DHCP server and do not assign the same address independently to another client (Microsoft Learn; Netgate documentation).
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What happens if DHCP is unavailable?
A reservation does not remove the device’s dependence on DHCP. DHCP leases have durations, and the client renews its lease to continue using the address. Microsoft notes that a device relying on a reservation can become unavailable if its DHCP server is unavailable. The reserved address is therefore predictable while DHCP service and the matching reservation are working, not an independent permanent setting on the client (Microsoft Learn; MikroTik RouterOS DHCP documentation).
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