DHCP has become such an important element of efficient network design that network administrators want to ensure proper DHCP deployment. Basic considerations of DHCP deployment include:
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Determining the number of DHCP servers to use.
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Determining and configuring scopes.
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Using superscopes.
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Reserving IP addresses.
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Using BOOTP tables.
One active DHCP server and one backup DHCP server can support a large number of clients, depending on hardware configurations and other issues. However, when deciding on the number of DHCP servers required, consider the location of routers on the network and whether each subnet requires a DHCP server. In addition, be sure to account for slower WAN links or dial-up links between segments utilizing the DHCP service. Network administrators typically deploy a DHCP server on both sides of these links to serve clients locally.
A network can have practical size constraints based on the size of a broadcast IP address class, such as the 254-node limit of class C networks. In addition, server configuration issues, such as disk capacity and CPU speed, can affect performance.
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