DHCP Server Installation & Configuration
A step-by-step guide to installing the DHCP Server role on Windows Server, setting up IP scopes and exclusion ranges, and configuring dynamic IP leasing on a Windows 10 host client.
Lab Objective
Setting up a DHCP server to hand out IP addresses automatically on the LAN. Three parts:
- DHCP Server Role Installation: Installing the required binaries on Windows Server.
- DHCP Scope Configuration: Designing the IP address pool, establishing exclusion ranges, setting lease times, and configuring option parameters (Default Gateway, DNS).
- Client-Side Verification: Activating DHCP on a Windows 10 client host and verifying successful IP address leasing.
Phase 1: DHCP Server Role Installation
In this phase, we add the DHCP Server role to Windows Server using the Server Manager Dashboard.
Summary of Role Installation Steps
| Step | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Select Server Role | Select the DHCP Server checkbox in the Add Roles Wizard. |
| 2 | Add Features | Accept the required administration tools and sub-features. |
| 3 | Monitor Installation | Track the progress of the role deployment. |
| 4 | Complete Role Setup | Complete the initial server role installation and launch post-deployment tasks. |
| 5 | Commit Authorization | Authorize the DHCP server in Active Directory to complete credentials delegation. |
Step-by-Step Installation Walkthrough
Step 1: Select the DHCP Server Role
Open the Add Roles and Features Wizard from Server Manager. Navigate to the Server Roles tab and check the box for DHCP Server.
Step 2: Confirm Automatic Restart Option
In the confirmation tab, review the selected options. Check Restart the destination server automatically if required and click Install.
Step 3: Monitor Installation Progress
Wait for the installation progress bar to fill. This installs the core DHCP server services.
Step 4: Complete Initial Role Setup
Once the installation finishes, click Close. In Server Manager, click the warning flag and select Complete DHCP Configuration to launch the post-installation wizard.
Step 5: Authorize the DHCP Server
In the Post-Install Wizard, authorize the DHCP server using your Domain Administrator credentials. Review the summary showing that security groups have been created and click Close.
Phase 2: DHCP Scope Configuration
With the role installed, we define the IP address pool and configure scope options (such as DNS and Gateway) to manage dynamic IP allocations.
Summary of Scope Configuration Steps
| Step | Section | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Create New Scope | Open the DHCP Management Console and initiate the "New Scope Wizard". |
| 7 | IP Address Range | Define the IP address range pool (Start IP and End IP) and subnet mask. |
| 8 | Add Exclusions | Specify IP ranges within the scope to exclude from dynamic distribution. |
| 9 | Lease Duration | Set the lease lifetime (default is 8 days). |
| 10 | Default Gateway | Add the Router (Default Gateway) IP address for clients. |
| 11 | DNS Settings | Specify the parent domain name and primary/secondary DNS servers. |
Step-by-Step Scope Walkthrough
Step 6: Launch the New Scope Wizard
Open the DHCP console (via Administrative Tools). Expand the IPv4 node, right-click, and select New Scope. Provide a descriptive name for the scope (e.g., CST170_Scope).
Step 7: Define the IP Address Pool
Enter the IP Address Range that the DHCP server will distribute. In this lab, we define a range from 192.168.10.20 to 192.168.10.100 with a standard subnet mask of /24 (255.255.255.0).
Step 8: Configure Exclusions and Delay
Specify any IP addresses within the pool that must not be assigned to client machines (e.g., reserve them for static assignments like printers or switches). Enter the exclusion range and click Add.
Step 9: Configure Lease Duration
Set the lease duration to control how long a client machine keeps its dynamically assigned IP address before requesting a renewal. The default value is set to 8 days.
Step 10: Configure Router (Default Gateway)
Under Configure DHCP Options, select Yes, I want to configure these options now. On the Router page, enter the local gateway IP address (e.g., 192.168.10.1) and click Add.
Step 11: Configure DNS & Domain Name
Enter the parent domain name (e.g., rajkumar.local). Provide the IP addresses of the primary DNS servers (e.g., your local domain controller IP 192.168.10.5 and Google's public DNS 8.8.8.8) to distribute to clients.
Step 12: Activate the Scope
On the final page, select Yes, I want to activate this scope now and click Finish to bring the scope online.
Phase 3: Client-Side DHCP Configuration & Verification
In this final phase, we configure a Windows 10 host to act as a DHCP client and verify that it successfully receives an IP address lease.
Step 13: Initial Client Check (Static / APIPA State)
Prior to enabling DHCP, the client host has either an auto-configured APIPA address (169.254.x.x) or no active connection. Check settings in the network interface properties or run ipconfig /all.
Step 14: Enable DHCP on the Client Host
Modify the Ethernet adapter properties of the Windows 10 host. Select Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically, then click OK.
Step 15: Verify IP Lease Success
Open the Command Prompt on the client host and run ipconfig /renew (or ipconfig /all). Verify that the host has successfully leased an IP from the pool (e.g., 192.168.10.20), and that the Default Gateway, DHCP server, and DNS details are populated correctly.
Active Directory Services & User Creation
A step-by-step walkthrough of installing Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), promoting the server to a Domain Controller, and provisioning user accounts in a custom Organizational Unit (OU).
Group Policy Management & GPO Creation
An introduction to Group Policy in Windows Server Active Directory, with step-by-step guides on GPO creation, administrative template configuration, and workstation policy enforcement.