The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a standardized network protocol used on Internet Protocol (IP) networks for dynamically distributing network configuration parameters, such as IP addresses for interfaces and services. With DHCP, computers request IP addresses and networking parameters automatically from a DHCP server, reducing the need for a network administrator or a user to configure these settings manually.
Configuration:
- Steps to configure DHCP in Windows 2k8 server
- DHCP role must be installed in Windows 2k8 server.
- Click Next
- The process detects IP assigned in static to the server.
- Provide DNS server IP and validate the IP’s
- Select WINS Server settings if required provide the WINS server IP’s
- Configure the Scope for DHCP
- Provide name for the scope and Starting IP, Ending IP, gateway
- Provide default gateway in the scope and check activate to activate the scope immediately. Click OK and click Next.
- Enable DHCP V6 if required for the environment
- Provide AD credentials for IP authorization. Click Next
- Click Install
- After installation DHCP service will be ready for implementation and ready to go.
- To check DHCP services go to
- DHCP in Administrative Tools.
- DHCP service will be active and release IP only when the Scope is in Green Color
- We can deactivate the scope of DHCP right click on Scope name and click unauthorize.
A client computer in a network requires an IP for communication. It broadcast IP request on the LAN and searches for the DHCP server, then DHCP server responds for request and assign IP address for client computer. DHCP will allot specific IP depending on IP addresses available, for this DHCP internally builds an ARP table which has MAC of client computer and IP address assigned to it. There will be unique IP address for every client computer. There cannot be any duplicate IP in one LAN pool.