I have a group of embedded devices that work with both static IP and DHCP (as client). For one user case, the user will connect these devices to a switch, then to a PC running Windows 7 via ethernet directly, with no router or DHCP server in the network. To free the user off the task to assign static IPs manually, I think the easiest way is to enable DHCP server at the PC running Windows 7, thus alll device will be assigned to dynamic IP addres. Is it feasible to install/enable DHCP server on Windows 7 PC? What is the easiest way to install/enable DHCP server on Windows 7 PC? Can I enable/disable the DHCP server with an application software (by calling API inside etc.)?
If the DHCP server can be installed on Windows 7, can I install it on Windows XP or Windows Vista? I don't want to buy Windows server 2003 or 2008 for my PC since they are more expensive and less popular than Windows 7/Vista/XP.
BTW, I don't want to use discovery protocols such as zeroconf or its implementation since it typically requires more engineering effort and more vulnerable to IP issues.
Any thought could you please share?
Thank you in advance!