install and configure a dhcp server in win 2008

8/14/2019 Install and Configure a DHCP Server in Win 2008

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Copyright 2008 CNET Networks, Inc. All rights reserved.For more downloads and a free TechRepublic membership, please visit http://techrepublic.com.com/2001-6240-0.html

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April 29, 2008Install and configure a DHCP server inWindows Server 2008?

By Steven S. Warren

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol(DHCP) is an invaluable service when you have a network larger than a handful

of computers. It's also a standard component of enterprise networks and sub networks.Microsoft Windows Server2008'sbuilt-in DHCP server allows Windows machines (and any other TCP/IP-based machines and devices) toobtain their IP addresses andnetwork settingsautomatically, which can vastly simplify network configuration. In thisdocument, we'll discuss how to install and configure a DHCP server in Windows Server 2008, and we'll exploresome of the advanced features DHCP has to offer.

Create a planBefore you configure your DHCP server, it is a good idea to have all your ducks in a row. Prepare and have all thenecessary information up front before sitting down and configuring your server. For example, you may need toknow:

The scope of IP addresses that your server will manage (e.g., 192.168.1.50 to 192.168.1.200).

Which machines require static IP addresses (i.e., those machines such as servers and routers that will notuse DHCP to receive their IP addresses but will be set manually).

Which network information you want to send out to DHCP clients when they get their IP addresses (e.g., theaddresses for your default gateway,DNS servers, and WINS servers).

It is much easier to configure your DHCP server with this information in hand rather than scrambling for it atimplementation time.

Installing DHCPInstalling a DHCP server in Windows 2008 is a snap. They created a very simple wizard that walks you throughthe entire process. Follow me on this journey.

To install a DHCP server from the Control Panel, follow these steps:

1. From the Start menu, select | Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Server Manager.2. Expand and click Roles (Figure A).3. Choose Add Roles and follow the wizard by selecting the DHCP role (Figure B).4. A new DHCP wizard appears to help you configure a DHCP server.
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How do I: Install and configure a DHCP server in Windows Server 2008?

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Figure A

Server Manager

Figure B

Add Roles Wizard

In the previous release of Windows, a wizard did not appear to walk you through creating a DHCP server.Windows Server 2008 has really simplified this process by allowing you to configure a DHCP server in roughlyseven steps. Of course, you can still manage your DHCP server from the DHCP Microsoft Management Console(MMC) snap-in or delete and create scopes on the fly.

Let's continue on through the wizard. Your network cards and static IP addresses are automatically detected andyou can choose how DHCP will service clients on different subnets, as shown in Figure C.


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Figure C

Choose your static IP addresses to service DHCP clients

On the next window (Figure D), you can specify the applicable DNS server(s) to be used with DHCP when anaddress is assigned. Figure E displays where you would enter the applicable WINS servers if you require it onyour network.

Figure D

Enter your DNS server IP address


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Figure E

Enter your WINS server IP address

About scopes

When you create a scope, you must select the range of IP addresses and you must specify the appropriate scopeoptions to include. These options are what we were referring to above when we mentioned that you can assignother network information to your clients at the time they are given an IP address.

There are two types of scope options: Global and Scope. Global options are propagated to all the scopes that youcreate on that DHCP server, while Scope options are only for the individual scope that you are working with.

For example, if you have different scopes for several different subnets and each subnet will have a differentdefault gateway but will share the same DNS servers, you would want to set the DNS servers as a Global optionwhile the default gateways would be set separately in each scope as a Scope option.On the DHCP scope window, you will create your scope. Depending on the size of your network and the amountof users that will be assigned IP addresses, some thought must be given to the parameters of your scopeselections. In my example (Figure F), I created a simple scope.


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Figure F

Creating your scope

The subnet type dropdown allows you to choose wireless as well (Figure G). It defaults to 24 hours. If you want toactivate the scope when the wizard is complete, click the Activate this scope checkbox. If you leave it empty, youmust activate the scope in the DHCP Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in.

Figure G

You can add multiple scopes before continuing the wizard


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With Windows Server 2008, if you have a router (Figure H) that supports and is configured to take advantage ofIPv6, you can enable this functionality on your network.

Figure H

Enable IPv6 stateless mode

Authorizing the DHCP server and activating scopes

In previous versions of Windows Server, you had to install and configure your DHCP server and then authorize itin the DHCPMMC snap-in. Authorizing your DHCP server allows you to prevent hackers from configuring rogueDHCP servers. In Windows Server 2008, you have the ability to either authorize the server in the Wizard orauthorize it after the fact in the DHCP MMC-snap-in (Figure I).

Figure I

Authorizing your DHCP server
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You are now ready to review (Figure J) and confirm your settings before applying your DHCP settings (FigureK).

Figure J

Reviewing your DHCP configuration before applying

Figure K

DHCP installation in progress


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Once you have installed the DCHP server, you can manage it from the DHCP MMC snap-in (Figure O) located inAdministrative tools. On this screen you can create additional exclusions and reservations.

Adding reservationsIn addition to specifying exclusions, you can add reservations to your DHCP server. By adding a reservation, you

ensure that a machine always receives the same IP address from the DHCP server.1. Right-click on Reservations and choose new reservation.2. Enter a friendly name for the reservation and the IP address you want to assign to the computer or device.3. Enter the MAC address of the computer or device. (For Windows machines, you can find the MAC address by

running ipconfig/allfrom the command prompt of the machine.)4. Enter a description and then choose the following reservation type: DHCP, BOOTP (going across a router), or

both, as shown in Figure L. Click Add.

Figure L

Adding a reservation

Adding exclusionsIn addition to specifying reservations, you can add exclusions to your DHCP server (Figure M). By addingexclusions, you ensure that machines never receive a DHCP lease for that range of IP addresses. This is veryuseful to block IP addresses for your servers and routers.


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Figure M

Adding an exclusion

In order to add Exclusions, right-click on Address Pools and choose New Exclusion Range as shown in Figure Nand Figure O.

Figure N

IP address Exclusion range

Figure O

DCHP MMC snap-in

Troubleshooting DHCPAfter configuring DHCP, the easiest way to troubleshoot it is to use Ipconfigfrom a command prompt. To view allTCP/IP information on a machine just type ipconfig/all. To release a DHCP lease, type ipconfig/release; to renewa lease, type ipconfig/renew.


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Version: 1.0

Published: April 29, 2008

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