Move a DHCP database to another server

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

To move a DHCP database to another server

This topic provides details on how to move a DHCP database from one server computer (the source server) to another server computer (the destination server).

To back up the DHCP database (at the source server)

  1. Open DHCP.

  2. In the console tree, click the applicable DHCP server.

    Where?

    • DHCP/applicable DHCP server
  3. On the Action menu, click Backup.

  4. In the Browse For Folder dialog box, select the folder that will contain the backup DHCP database, and then click OK.

  5. Stop the DHCP server.

    This prevents the server from assigning new address leases to clients after the database has been backed up.

    For more information, see Start or stop a DHCP server.

  6. Disable the DHCP Server service in the list of services.

    This prevents the DHCP server from starting after the database has been transferred. For more information, see Enable or disable a service for a hardware profile.

  7. Copy the folder that contains the backup DHCP database to the destination DHCP server computer.

Notes

  • To open DHCP, click Start, click Settings, click Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools, and then double-click DHCP.

  • You must choose a local drive for the DHCP database backup folder.

  • When you stop the DHCP service, DHCP clients cannot obtain address leases or renewals from the server.

  • The DHCP service creates an automatic backup of the DHCP database during normal operation. The default storage location for this copy of the database backup is systemroot\System32\Dhcp\Backup.

To restore the DHCP database (at the destination server)

  1. If you have not already installed the DHCP server software, install it.

    For more information, see Install a DHCP server.

  2. Open DHCP.

  3. In the console tree, click the applicable DHCP server.

    Where?

    • DHCP/applicable DHCP server
  4. On the Action menu, click Restore.

  5. In the Browse For Folder dialog box, select the folder that contains the backup DHCP database, and then click OK.

Notes

  • To perform this procedure you must be a member of the Administrators group or the DHCP Administrators group on the source and destination DHCP servers.

  • To open DHCP, click Start, click Settings, click Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools, and then double-click DHCP.

  • Only DHCP databases from the same language version can be restored. For example, a DHCP database from DHCP server running an English language version of the operating system cannot be restored to a DHCP server running a Japanese language version of the operating system.

  • To restore the DHCP database, the DHCP service is temporarily stopped. When it is stopped, DHCP clients are unable to contact the DHCP server and obtain IP addresses.

Information about functional differences

  • Your server might function differently based on the version and edition of the operating system that is installed, your account permissions, and your menu settings. For more information, see Viewing Help on the Web.