How to Configure DHCP Server on Windows Server 2012 R2

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a client / server protocol that automatically provides an Internet Protocol (IP) host with its IP address and other relevant configuration information, such as the subnet mask and default gateway. RFCs 2131 and 2132 define DHCP as a standard for Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) based on the Bootstrap Protocol (BOOTP), a protocol with which DHCP shares many implementation details. DHCP allows hosts to obtain the necessary TCP / IP configuration information from the DHCP server.

DHCP port based address allocation: The DHCP employs a connectionless service model, using the User Datagram Protocol (UDP). It is implemented with two UDP portnumbers for its operations which are the same as for the bootstrap protocol (BOOTP). UDP port number 67 is the destination port of a server, and UDP port number 68 is used by the client

Benefits of DHCP

In Windows Server 2003, the DHCP Server service provides the following benefits:
Configure a trusted IP address. DHCP minimizes configuration errors caused by manual IP address configuration, such as typos or address conflicts caused by assigning more than one IP address at the same time.

Low network management. DHCP includes the following features to minimize network management:
Central and automatic TCP / IP configuration.
Ability to specify TCP / IP settings from a central location.
Ability to set the full range of additional TCP / IP configuration settings using DHCP options.
Efficiently manage client IP address changes that must be updated frequently, such as changes to laptops that travel to different locations on a wireless network.
Forwarding initial DHCP messages using the DHCP relay agent, eliminating the need for a DHCP server in each subnet.

Why use DHCP ? Each device in a TCP / IP-based network must have a unique unicast IP address to access the network and its resources. Without DHCP, you must manually configure IP addresses for new computers or computers that move from one subnet to another, and you must manually restore them for computers that have been removed from the network.

DHCP allows this entire process to be automated and centrally managed. The DHCP server maintains a set of IP addresses and leases an address to any DHCP-enabled client when it starts on the network. Because IP addresses are dynamic (leased) instead of static (assigned permanently), addresses that are no longer in use are automatically returned to the group for reallocation.

The network administrator creates DHCP servers that maintain TCP / IP configuration information and provide address configuration for clients that support DHCP in the form of a lease offer. The DHCP server stores configuration information in a database, which includes:

The TCP / IP configuration parameters are valid for all clients in the network.
IP addresses are valid, kept in a group assigned to clients, as well as excluded addresses.

Reserved IP addresses associated with assigned DHCP clients. This allows a continuous assignment of one IP address to a single DHCP client.
The duration of the lease or the period during which the IP address can be used before the lease renewal.

A client that supports DHCP, when accepting the lease offer, receives the following:
A valid IP address for the subnet you are connected to.

What is process of DORA in DHCP?
When a computer or other device connects to a network, the DHCP client software sends a broadcast query that requests the necessary information. … the DHCP process goes through 4 phases while assigning a client IP address. These stages are often abbreviate

DORA Process in DHCP

“d as DORA for discovery, offer, request, and acknowledgement”

DHCP options are required, which are additional parameters that the DHCP server is configured to set for clients. Some examples of DHCP options are router (default gateway), DNS servers and DNS domain name

What are the four steps of DHCP?
DHCP operations fall into four phases: server discovery, IP lease offer, IP lease request, and IP lease acknowledgement.

What is the DHCP server scope?

The DHCP scope is a valid range of IP addresses available for allocation or lease to client computers on a specific subnet. In a DHCP server, a scope is configured to specify the pool of IP addresses that the server can provide to DHCP clients. Domains specify the IP addresses that are provided to clients.

Part 2. Configuring and creating IP address pool in order to distribute those addresses to client machines

Let’s Start configure and create IP Address pool (Scope) in DHCP Server

Here are three methods given below: You can use any one method and open the DHCP Management Console

Start>Run and Type dhcpmgmt.msc OR Open Power Shell with administrative privilege and Type same command   Or open Server manager click on tools and the click DHCP

You have to see open DHCP management console inf runt of your screen

Right Click on IPv4 and click New scope

Click on Next

Type Scope Name and Description whatever in your your mind Like Dept,Floor  As per my scenario I have mansion Dept name and click Next

Enter a starting IP address followed by an Ending IP address. This create the scope’s range, which will be used to assign addresses to clients.
Under Configurating settings that propagate to DHCP client section of the IP Address Rangescreen, either enter a subnet bit length (CIDR) in the Length field, or enter the dotted decimal notation of the subnet mask.

On the Add Exclusions and Delay screen, we can set IP addresses from within the range we defined that should be excluded. For example, if our range includes the IP address of our one of Server IP also you can add your gateway, we probably do not want our clients to use it, so we would add its IP address to the exclusion list. Click Next when done.

 

Enter the length of time a client should be assigned an IP address. When done, click Next.

Select Yes, I want to configure these options now, and then Click Next.

Enter the IP address of the gateway clients should use. Click Next when done.

Enter the IP addresses of all DNS servers the client should use. Click Next when
done.

If you have WINS servers, add them here. Click Next when you are finished.

Most Windows environments no longer use WINS for name resolution. Although some older apps and devices may still require it, so check your environment before skipping this.

Select Yes, I want to activate this domain now. The domain must be activated before it can be assigned IP addresses to clients. If you don’t want to activate it at this time, select No, I will activate this domain later. Click Next when you are finished.

Click Finish.

Conclusion

The DHCP server is set up successfully on Windows Server 2012 R2. You must test this configuration by using a client device and set it up to automatically obtain an IP address in the TCP / IPv4 properties.