Recommended tasks for the DHCP server role

Applies To: Windows Server 2008 R2

Following are tasks that can increase the security, reliability and manageability of your DHCP Server role. Many of these tasks involve configuring your DHCP in conjunction with another Windows Server® 2008 technology or feature, such as Active Directory (AD) or Network Access Protection (NAP), and others describe how you can design your DHCP infrastructure for greatest efficiency:

• Increase fault tolerance by splitting DHCP scopes

• Eliminate manual updates of DNS records by configuring dynamic update and secure dynamic update

• Allow remote administration of DHCP servers by configuring Windows Firewall ports

• Prevent rogue DHCP servers on your network by authorizing DHCP servers in AD DS

• Enforce network access policies for client health by configuring DHCP with Network Access Protection

• Automate management of devices that have static IP addresses by creating DHCP reservations

• Support multiple subnets with one DHCP server by configuring DHCP relay agents

• Avoid reconfiguring DHCP on a new server by migrating an existing DHCP infrastructure

• Balance the load on your DHCP servers by using the 80/20 rule for scopes

• Centralize management of two or more DHCP servers as a single system by clustering DHCP servers

For updated detailed IT pro information about DHCP and server roles, see the Windows Server 2008 documentation on the Microsoft TechNet Web site.