How do I set up a DHCP server?

Question

I am a networking student I need to understand how a DHCP server is set up to dynamically assign addresses in general. Furthermore, I need to know what effect limited IP addresses would have, if any, or if address translation is possible from this server. I'm not giving a specific example because I don't want to be given the solution. I just need something simpler to understand than the white papers I've been trying to understand. I doesn't need to be in laymans terms, just simpler...

Answer 1

When DHCP is used on a network, the client systems must be configured

to use DHCP. Each of the client operating systems has some

method of configuring the system to receive IP information from

the DHCP server. Configuring a client to use DHCP is often as

simple as clicking a check box or selecting a radio button.

When client systems are configured to use DHCP, they can receive

more than just the IP address. They can also be assigned any of the

other TCP/IP information, such as the default gateway, subnet

mask, and any DNS or WINS servers. In addition, some DHCP

server platforms support a range of other information as well. preplogic

Answer 2

Here's some steps to install a DHCP server on Win2K or Win2K3. I'm not sure how to do it on Linux though...



You will need to install the server version of the OS...



After installation, you will be prompted with a "configuration" screen. Look for the options to install the DHCP server, and reboot when done.



Under administrative tools, you will see an icon to configure the DHCP settings. You will need one "scope" for each subnet you have on your network. This is usually done on multiple servers, or on multi-homed servers (servers with more than one network card, each one on a seperate subnet).



Keep in mind that your DHCP servers must all have STATIC IP addresses (they cannot be DHCP addresses themselves), and you cannot put the .0 or .255 IP address in the scope.

Answer 3

Well the client first sends a dhcp discover packet (i think to the broadcast address x.x.x.255). Then the server responds with a dhcp offer packet based on the setup of the dhcp daemon and the hardware config of the client. The client interprets the offer received and then sends a request to the server. The server should then acknowledge the request and the dhcp process is then complete.