DHCP Consolidation

Applies To: Windows Server 2008

Service layering (the deployment of multiple services on a single server) reduces the cost of deployment. For example, in a branch office, a single server can act as the DHCP, DNS, WINS, and AD DS server. The effect of running multiple services on a single server must be measured against the potential reduction of performance and administrative control across all the services. In addition, interoperability issues might arise when combining services on a single server. For example, DHCP running on a domain controller with the DNS dynamic update protocol must be configured to run under an impersonation account in order to prevent DNS record hijacking.

The DHCP service has a low resource requirement compared to services such as domain controllers. Other than periodic bursts of activity, such as the initial flood of lease requests, DHCP should be able to run with WINS and other core infrastructure services.

Another way of consolidating servers is to combine DHCP servers across the enterprise network into a smaller number of larger capacity servers. Thus, separate DHCP servers do not need to be deployed in each subnet; it might be possible to use headquarters DHCP servers to support SBO scenarios.