IgnoreBroadcastFlag
Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2
HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\DhcpServer\Parameters
| Data type | Range | Default value |
|---|---|---|
REG_DWORD |
0 | 1 |
1 |
Description
Specifies whether the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server complies with or ignores the value of the broadcast bit (broadcast flag) in a client DHCP Discover message.
By default, Windows Server 2003 DHCP servers ignore the broadcast bit on the client requests. Instead, they send all DHCP responses as IP broadcasts to the limited broadcast address (255.255.255.255). However, a DHCP server can be configured to send responses as unicast responses if the client request specifies that a broadcast response is not required.
On Microsoft DHCP clients, the broadcast bit is not set, that is, it is set to request initial Dhcpoffer and Dhcpack packets in unicast messages.
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
0 |
Comply with broadcast flag in client request. |
1 |
Ignore broadcast flag in client requests, and broadcast all DHCP packets |
This entry does not exist in the registry by default. You can add it by using the registry editor Regedit.exe.
Activation Method
You must restart the system before a change to this value takes effect.
Caution
- Setting the value of this entry to 0 reduces broadcast traffic. However, clients cannot receive unicast Dhcpoffer and Dhcpack packets unless the Microsoft DHCP server and DHCP client are on a homogeneous Ethernet network or the same subnet of a Token Ring network. Do not change the default broadcast behavior of a Microsoft DHCP server if the server and client are on different Token Ring subnets or are separated by a router or bridge that does media access control (MAC) level address translation, for example, Ethernet to or from Token Ring.