I'm I missing something or is there a better way...

[cosmocat]

I'd agree that your MVP needs a DHCP server.
My GBPVR server machine is dual homed so my MVPs can't see the router to get IP addresses.
Instead I use TFTPD32 as a DHCP server for them. Its free and you can download it here...

http://tftpd32.jounin.net/

The program does more than just DHCP so diable the functions you don't need.

[gapgapman]

I have tried the DHCP server route on a couple of occasions, but either I just can't make sense of how to set it up, or I am missing a key element.

My PC is actually wireless to the internet (didn't want to wire the whole house) using a USB wireless adapter and D-Link Wireless router and then I direct connect my PC to the MVP using the m-board NIC (MVP is not near the router, its near the PC). If you have suggestions, I would be willing to give the server a shot again. Thanks for any input in advance.

[wharrad]

gapgapman - could you just bridge the connections on your PC so that the MVP can use the DHCP on the router?

I'm pretty sure that would work in this case.

[flyswatta]

gapgapman - could you just bridge the connections on your PC so that the MVP can use the DHCP on the router?

I'm pretty sure that would work in this case.

I've done this before, and it works well. I just ran a crossover cable from a second network card in my pc to the MVP. Then bridge the connections. When bridging, the order that you bridge is important - I don't remember the details, but I remember I had to do it over to get it to work.

The MVP will be on the same network as the router, so it will work for DHCP requests.