What is DHCP?
DHCP – Dynamic Host Control Protocol, It’s a protocol that quickly pushes out, automatic and central management distribution of IP Addresses within a network. It also automatically assigns Gateway, DNS and Subnet masks.
So how does it Work?
A Host will request an IP address (using DHCP discover packet) from the DHCP server. After the DHCP server assigns the unique address (DHCPOFFER packet) to the Host. The Host will accepts the offer from the server and send back a DHCPREQUEST packet that it has accepted it. The Server then sends an ACK packet to say that’s its acknowledged it.
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So what are some of the advantages of using DHCP?
- Less chance of using the same IP address, so less conflicts
- Less work needs to be done to assign addresses, Static Addresses do not need to be assigned
- Less Administration needed from the Admin as its automatically assigned
- Addresses can be released and renewed to other devices depending on how long you wish them to be assigned for
- Â Less Prone to errors as its configured automatically

Step 1:
- Open Server Manager
- Select Add Roles and Features

Step 2:
- Read through
- Click Next

Step 3:
- Select Role Based
- Click Next

Step 4:
- Select Server Destination
- Click Next

Step 5:
- Check Active Directory Domain Services
- Click Next

Step 6:
- Leave Default Features
- Click Add Features

Step 7:
- Leave Default Features
- Click Next

Step 8:
- Read Through (Ensure your Static IP is Setup Beforehand)
- Click Next

Step 9:
- Read Through
- Click Install

Step 10:
- Read Through
- Click Close

Step 11:
- Select Complete DHCP Configuration

Step 12:
- Select Complete DHCP Configuration

Step 13:
- Read Through
- Click Next

Step 14:
- Use Admin Credentials
- Click Commit

Step 15:
- Read Through
- Click Close

Step 16:
- Open Server Manager
- Select DHCP

Step 17:
- Click Dropdown IPV4
- Right-Click Select New Scope

Step 18:
- Click Next

Step 19:
- Read Through & Enter your Details
- Click Next

Step 20:
- Enter Your IP Range for Your Network
- Click Next

Step 21:
- Enter any IP Address that you wish to exclude from handing out. (E.g Static IP Addresses)
- Click Next

Step 22:
- If You have lots of devices connecting (Mobile,Laptop etc Select the duration Lower)
- Click Next

Step 23:
- Select yes if you wish to configure gateway
- Click Next

Step 24:
- Configure gateway IP Address
- Click Next

Step 25:
- This will point DHCP server to DNS server to resolve IP Addresses to Domain Names
- Click Next

Step 26:
- Wins Generally isn't used any more, it's used to resolve netbios names. (Think NT4 , 95 clients up to ME)
- Leave Blank
- Click Next

Step 27:
- Activate Scope
- Click Next
- Click Finish Wizard

Step 28:
- Open Dhcp
- Right Click on server name and select Authorise
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Right Click on server and select All Tasks then restart
Congratulations you have now configured the DHCP Role
