DHCP Deployment Guide

Applies To: Windows Server 2008

DHCP in Windows Server® 2008 reduces the complexity and administrative overhead involved in managing network client IP addressing and configuration. DHCP allows you to assign IP addresses to network clients automatically and dynamically, as needed, and to automate, centralize, and simplify IP address and option configuration and distribution across your network. This protects against common configuration errors that occur when values are entered manually at each computer and helps to prevent address conflicts.

By using DHCP options, you can configure DHCP servers to supply a full range of configuration values when assigning a DHCP lease, allowing you to configure a large number of computers at one time, and to change configuration as necessary.

Different types of organizations can benefit from the automation and centralization that DHCP provides, including:

  • Organizations in which administrators are responsible for configuring IP addresses and options for a large number of devices.

  • Organizations that include a large population of mobile users or that have network configurations that frequently change.

Begin the DHCP deployment process by creating a design for your DHCP servers. The DHCP Design Guide includes a three-step process for planning your deployment and presents the advantages and disadvantages of each aspect of the technology. When you have completed all of the design steps for your DHCP infrastructure, you can implement your DHCP solution by returning to this deployment guide and configuring your DHCP servers.