Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server is one of the critical parts of today’s enterprise networks. When somebody request for IP (Internet Protocol), instead of a network administrator, a server distributes IP for the device. It is more effective and less expensive. Also, DHCP server provides more information to the clients such as default gateway, subnet mask. DHCP allows hosts to acquire necessary TCP/IP configuration information from a DHCP server and do more. In order to configure DHCP Server follow the steps.
DHCP Server Post-installation configurations
After installing the DHCP role on Windows server, you need to configure DHCP server.
1. When the DHCP role installed, open Server Manager. Click on flag. Then click on Complete DHCP configuration hyperlink.
2. Skip the Description page by clicking on Next button. Now enter the credentials in both boxes, for entering the alternative credential click on Specify button and type the username and password. Make sure you use credentials that have permissions to perform these tasks. Then click on Commit button.
3. The Summary page show you the summary of post installation configurations. Click on the Close button.
Create DHCP scope
You need to create a DCHP scope. DHCP scope is the range of possible IP addresses that can be assigned to clients. Every scope defines a physical subnet.
1. Now open Server Manager and click on Tools tab then click on the DHCP to open it.
2. When the DHCP opened, expand DHCP server name and right-click on IPv4 then click on the New Scope option to create an IP scope for distribution.
3. Type an scope name. Add a description for scope. Then click Next button.
4. Specify the IP Address Range by entering the start IP Address and End IP address. The length automatically assigns, based on you IP address class and the subnet mask assigns automatically. Then click on Next button.
5. You can exclude some of the IP addresses for the servers or especial services. The IPs excluded will not be assigned automatically. IPs before and after the exclusion range are assigned. IPs excluded are assigned on servers manually. Specify the IP range you want to exclude, add the IP range and click on Next button.
6. On the Configure DHCP option page, select this option: Yes, I want to configure these options now. Clicking on Next button.
7. Enter your Router’s IP address in the box and click on add button to add the IP address. Then click on Next button.
8. DNS (Domain Name System) server translates the name to IP address and IP address to name. Type the DNS server’s name in the box. Then type IP address in the box below then click on Add button to add to the IP address. At the end click on Next button.
9. WINS Server translates NetBIOS computer name to IP address. Type WINS server name in Server name box. Type the WINS server’s IP address and click on Add button. Then click on Next button.
10. Finish the wizard clicking on Finish button.
DHCP Server Console
We are done with the creation of new scope. It is the time to know more about DHCP server console. Below the DHCP server name, you see IPv4 and IPv6 options. It means that Windows server 2016 can support both IPv4 and IPv6 versions of IP address. Expand IPv4 to see the scope you have created. Also Server Options, Policies and Filters.
Expand the scope. Things you see are these:
- Address Pool: IP address range can be assigned to clients and exclusion range is listed here.
- Address Leases: IP address which have been assigned to clients dynamically are listed here. IP address which have been assigned manually won’t be listed here.
- Reservations: Reserved IP range is listed here.
- Scope Options: Some options like Router, PXE client and etc.
- Policies: Policies created for DCHP server are listed here.
Conclusion
DHCP has been successfully configured and ready to be used. For any question, suggestion, feel free and leave a comment. I answer your question as soon as possible.
