Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Overview
Applies To: Windows Server 2012
This topic provides overview information about the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server role in Windows Server® 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2. Also see the following topics:
What's New in DHCP: Provides information about changes in functionality for DHCP in Windows Server 2012 R2.
What's New in DHCP in Windows Server 2012 [redirected]: Provides information about changes in functionality for DHCP in Windows Server 2012.
Understand and Deploy DHCP Failover: Provides detailed information about a new option for DHCP high availability in Windows Server 2012.
Step-by-Step: Configure DHCP Using Policy-based Assignment: Provides step by step instructions for configuring DHCP policies in a test lab with Windows Server 2012.
Step-by-Step: Configure DHCP for Failover: Provides step by step instructions for configuring DHCP failover in a test lab with Windows Server 2012.
Windows Server 2012 Virtual Labs combines IP address management (IPAM) in a virtual lab with DNSSEC and DHCP failover in Windows Server 2012. See Building a Resilient Network Infrastructure to start the virtual lab. Note: The virtual lab will take some time to start.
Role description
DHCP is an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) standard designed to reduce the administration burden and complexity of configuring hosts on a TCP/IP-based network, such as a private intranet. Using the DHCP Server service, the process of configuring TCP/IP on DHCP clients is automatic.
Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 provide several enhancements to the DHCP Server service.
Practical applications
DHCP in Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 provide the following:
Safe, easy and reliable: Valid configuration parameters for all clients on the network can be dynamically provided. DHCP clients renew their leased address allocation automatically in the background. With DHCP failover, a new feature in Windows Server 2012, DHCP servers can provide a highly resilient DHCP service that allows the DHCP client to extend the lease on its current IP address by contacting another DHCP server on the enterprise network.
Flexible assignment: DHCP supports a large and extensible set of client configuration parameters. With client reservations, it is possible to reserve a specific IP address for permanent use by a DHCP client. A new feature in Windows Server 2012 called policy based assignment allows for even greater flexibility.
DHCP integration with DNS enables DNS resource records to be dynamically updated for new computers and devices, or when IP addresses of existing devices change on the network.
New and changed functionality
What's New in DHCP: Provides information about changes in functionality for DHCP in Windows Server 2012 R2.
What's New in DHCP in Windows Server 2012 [redirected]: Provides information about changes in functionality for DHCP in Windows Server 2012.
Server Manager information
Installation of the DHCP Server role can be performed using Server Manager. The following features and tools are installed automatically when you install DHCP Server:
Feature or Tool |
Description |
|---|---|
Remote Server Administration Tools |
DHCP Server Tools are required to manage the DHCP Server role, but do not have to be installed on the same server. The DHCP Management console is installed automatically when you install DHCP Server unless you choose to cancel installation of Remote Server Administration Tools. |
See Also
Step-by-Step: Configure DHCP for Failover Step-by-Step: Configure DHCP Using Policy-based Assignment