How do I know if my internet is PPPoE or DHCP?

Okay, so you’re trying to figure out if your internet connection is PPPoE or DHCP? It can be a little confusing, right? I’ve been there! It’s like trying to figure out which wire goes where behind your TV – a total mess sometimes.

The easiest way to tell, honestly, is if you need a username and password to get online. Think about it. When you first set up your internet, did you have to enter those details? Like, I remember when I moved a few years back, the internet provider gave me this ridiculously long username and password. I had to write it down because there was NO WAY I was going to remember it. If that sounds familiar, you’re probably using PPPoE.

If, on the other hand, you just plugged in your modem and bam – internet magically appeared, then you’re likely using DHCP. It’s like, DHCP just automatically assigns you an address…kind of like getting a random number at the deli counter, you know? You don’t have to do anything. I think most home internet setups these days are DHCP, aren’t they? Makes things so much simpler.

So, yeah, username and password? Probably PPPoE. No login needed? Probably DHCP. Hopefully that helps! Let me know if you have any other tech mysteries you need solved. I’m no expert, but I’ve stumbled through enough of this stuff to maybe offer some (slightly chaotic) advice!