Servers - Configuring DHCP

Servers - Configuring DHCP service can take a few minutes to complete if you only use the basic configuration listed here.

Having DHCP service on your network will save you a lot of time and work, how much?

Consider this - how long does it take to configure your network properties when you set up a new computer? Five minutes? Ten? Thirty? And who is going to keep track of the static IP addresses that have already been used on other devices? The network Administrator! Lots of work. As a systems admin I cringe at the thought of how much time I spent on spread sheets with static IP addresses listed by the Thousands! So here is a tool that will save so much time you may want to give it a pay raise!

DHCP can do more than dole out IP addresses to computers. You can configure the service to fill in all the blanks that took you all that time when you set up the NIC! Along with the IP the DHCP service can configure these for your NIC: Subnet mask, Gateway, DNS, WINS, and more!

Servers - Configuring DHCP Instructions:

So lets see how you would work this magic. As with any service you need to install it and configure it. You can use Add/Remove Programs, or Configure your server. I would suggest Configure your server, as with the other services the Wizard will do more pre-configuration.

Once you have the service installed you need to configure it, now this will get involved so I will set up a table with the name of the item to be configured and a sample of what should be in the field.

First we need to set up the console. Open the console, add your server then right click on the server, then right click on the DHCP label then click on Authorize.

Next you have to create the 'Scope' the Scope is the meat of the DHCP service. Use the table to fill out the Scope.

Now the fields that you should fill in to make set up of a new computer or adding a computer to the network a snap!

When you look at the table some of the Scope and Server options are not the same, some are required in the Scope but not for the Server and vice-versa.

Servers - Configuring DHCP

As you look at the table one thing that should be apparent what makes this so powerful. No? Well it is the Address Pool! All the other stuff is just fluff, helps the computer see other devices on the network!

Note: The easiest way to find out what each option does and the parameters for setting them is to put the cursor on an option and press F1, this will bring up the help file for the DHCP service with explanations and parameters.

With the address pool starting at 10.10.10.100 and ends at 10.10.10.254 will give you 154 IP addresses. If you need more then add them! See the help function on how to create a Super Scope.

This seciton on Configuring DHCP came from the Build a Server Guide.

Note 1: Do not end your Address Pool with xxx.xxx.xxx.255 [255 is reserved].

Note 2: I set this sample up with 100 static IP addresses, this may seem like excessive but you will need static IP addresses for servers, printers, and Dial up among other things.