Contents 3
Introduction 1
DHCP Features in Windows Server 2003 2
DHCP Overview 10
DHCP Deployment 14
Best Practices 18
Summary 24
Related Links 25
Appendix A:
Predefined Options for DHCP Clients 26
The Microsoft® Windows Server™ 2003 network operating system builds on the longstanding Microsoft support for the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)—an open, industry standard that reduces the complexity of administering TCP/IP-based networks. Each host computer connected to a TCP/IP network must have a unique IP address. DHCP frees network administrators from manually configuring IP addresses for individual desktop computers.
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Requests for Comments (RFCs) 2131 and 2132 define DHCP as open and standards-based. A DHCP server stores all available IP addresses in a central database along with associated configuration information, including the subnet mask, gateways, and the addresses of DNS servers. This database enables automatic IP address configuration for hosts as they start up.
DHCP saves network administrative time—and the larger the network, the greater the savings. Without dynamic address assignment, network administrators must manage IP addresses to avoid duplicate use and apply configuration changes to workstations manually. The resulting lack of centralized configuration information makes it difficult for the administrator to ensure consistent client configurations.
By contrast, DHCP in Windows Server 2003 provides benefits and features that make it a compelling solution to the networking needs of organizations today.
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