Servers - Configuring DHCP

Diy-Computer-Repair can help!

Portions of this page were extracted from Build a Server Guide.

Configuring DHCP Service A How to...

Having DHCP service on your network will save you a lot of time, 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 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 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!

Fix It! Your
DIY Computer Repair Newsletter!
Click here to get your copy of Fix It!

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!

Name Field	Field 1	Field 2
Server	Status
yourdc.yourdomain.com [10.10.10.2]	Running

Address pool
Start IP Address	End IP Address	Description
10.10.10.100	10.10.10.255	Address range
		for distribution
Scope Options
Option Name	Vendor	Value
003 Router	Standard	10.10.10.10
004 Time Server	Standard	10.10.10.10
005 Name Servers	Standard	10.10.10.2
006 DNS Servers	Standard	10.10.10.2
015 DNS Domain Name	Standard	yourdomain.com
042 NTP Servers	Standard	10.10.10.10
044 WINS/NBNS Servers	Standard	10.10.10.2
046 WINS/NBT Node Type	Standard	0x8
012 Host Name	Standard	your dc server
032 Router Solicitation Address	Standard	10.10.10.10
044 WINS/NBNS Servers	Standard	10.10.10.2

Server Options
Option Name	Vendor	Value
003 Router	Standard	10.10.10.10
004 Time Server	Standard	10.10.10.10
005 Name Servers	Standard	10.10.10.2
006 DNS Servers	Standard	10.10.10.2
012 Host Name	Standard	yourdomain.com
015 DNS Domain Name	Standard	your dc server
032 Router Solicitation Address	Standard	10.10.10.10
042 NTP Servers	Standard	10.10.10.10
044 WINS/NBNS Servers	Standard	10.10.10.2

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!

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.

Note 1: Do not end your Address Pool with xxx.xxx.xxx.255 [255 is With DHCP you will cut the time it takes to keep track of IP address down to a minimum. 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.

Are you a member?
Does your Computer need some TLC?
More information about Computer Repairs in the
DIY Membership Section!

Q and A
This site contains a lot of information. As with any publication not all information is available due to space, time, or subject constraints.

If you have a question that you did not find the answer on this web site you a can ask your question here and we will endeavor to get you the most up to date answer possible!

Free Stuff!

Thank you for visiting my web site, and please come back again.