“DHCP is the unsung hero of network management, ensuring that every device seamlessly connects and communicates without the burden of manual configuration.”
Installing and Configuring DHCP on Windows Server
Prerequisites
- A server running Windows Server (2016, 2019, or later).
- Administrative access to the server.
- Static IP address configured on the server.
Step 1: Install the DHCP Server Role
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Open Server Manager:
Click on the Start button, then select Server Manager.
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Add Roles and Features:
In the Server Manager dashboard, click on Add roles and features.
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Role-Based or Feature-Based Installation:
In the wizard, select Role-based or feature-based installation and click Next.
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Select Destination Server:
Select the server you want to install DHCP on and click Next.
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Select Server Roles:
Check the box for DHCP Server and click Next.
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Features:
Click Next as no additional features are needed for basic DHCP functionality.
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DHCP Server:
Read the information about DHCP Server and click Next.
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Confirmation:
Review your selections and click Install.
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Installation Progress:
Wait for the installation to complete. Click Close when done.
Step 2: Configure the DHCP Server
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Open DHCP Management Console:
In Server Manager, click on Tools and select DHCP.
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Authorize DHCP Server:
Right-click on the DHCP server in the left pane and select Authorize. This step is crucial for the server to operate properly.
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Create a New DHCP Scope:
Right-click on IPv4 and choose New Scope.
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Scope Name:
Enter a name and description for the scope, then click Next.
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IP Address Range:
Specify the starting and ending IP addresses for the scope and click Next.
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Subnet Mask:
Select or enter the subnet mask, then click Next.
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Add Exclusions:
Specify any IP addresses that should be excluded from the scope, then click Next.
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Lease Duration:
Set the duration of the lease (default is 8 days) and click Next.
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Configure DHCP Options:
You can configure options like the router, DNS servers, etc. Select Yes, I want to configure these options now and click Next.
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Router (Default Gateway):
Enter the IP address of the router and click Add, then click Next.
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Domain Name and DNS Servers:
Enter the domain name and DNS server addresses (if applicable) and click Next.
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WINS Server:
Enter any WINS server information if needed and click Next.
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Activate Scope:
Choose to activate the scope and click Next.
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Completing the New Scope Wizard:
Review your settings and click Finish.
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Scope Name:
Step 3: Testing the Configuration
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Connect a client to the network:
Connect a device to the same network.
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Obtain IP Address:
On the client device, request an IP address (typically by connecting to the network).
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Verify IP Configuration:
Open a command prompt and type
ipconfig /allto see if the device has received an IP address from the DHCP server.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Ensure the DHCP service is running on the server.
- Double-check the authorization of the DHCP server.
- Check that the IP address range is not exhausted.
- Verify that client devices are on the same subnet and can reach the server.
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