DHCP Stands for the Dynamic Host Configuration protocol and it is used to assign the IP addresses to the network computers dynamically. It saves the lot of time and the administrative efforts of the network administrators by providing the TCP/IP configurations such as IP address, subnet mask, default gateway address, DNS, router, proxy server and the settings to the client computers.
With the DHCP, the process of connecting the new client computer with the server is very easy. Just imagine that if you are assigned a task of provide the IP addresses and other TCP/IP configurations to1000 client computers manually then how lengthy and tiring task it can be. DHCP sever assigns the IP addresses from its predefined fixed pool of the IP addresses.
In the DHCP pool, you can define the range, leased duration and map the IP addresses with the specific computers. The IP addresses allocation can be manual, automatic and dynamic. Sometimes in the computer networks, DHCP failure occur due to several reasons and in this situation the client computer will not be able to connect to the server and get the server resources. The problems may arise at the client end or the DHCP server end.
DHCP Client Troubleshooting
Many Client Computers are unable to get the IP Addressees from the DHCP Server
It can be due to the reason that the IP address of the DHCP server has been changed and the client computers are not able to connect to the DHCP server. Additionally the client computers are located behind the firewall or are connected to the DHCP server through the router. It is also possible that the multiple DHCP servers exist in the same LAN.
The solutions of these problems are to make sure that the DHCP server’s IP address fall in the same range of the IP addresses as the scope it is serving. For a DHCP server to provide the IP address to the remote subnets, the router should act as DHCP relay. Make sure that you are not configuring the multiple DHCP servers on the same LAN with the same scope of the IP addresses as it can cause the conflicts in the IP addresses.
The DHCP client does not have IP addresses configured
It can happen due to the reason that the client computer is unable to connect to the DHCP server and obtain the IP address from it or the DHCP server is unavailable. To resolve this issue, you need to make sure that the client computer has connectivity with the DHCP server and the network cable and network connections are accurate. Then try to ping the DHCP server and make sure that you are getting reply from the server.
DHCP client has automatically assigned IP address to itself
In the Windows 98, XP Professional and the Windows ME sometimes the client computers are unable to connect to the DHCP server so they assign the IP addresses automatically through the IP auto configuration.
DHCP Server Troubleshooting
Sometimes if the multiple client computers are experiencing problems in leasing the IP address from the DHCP server then the problem is most likely with the DHCP server itself. The common problems that can arise in the DHCP server are the following.
DHCP server has been stopped
You need to check the log files and the system event files for details about this problem. These log files will provide the detailed information, causes and the solution of this problem.
One of Two DHCP Server is not serving the client
If this happens and if the server is a domain member then you need to authorize the DHCP server in the Active directory.
DHCP Server’s data is corrupted.
The DHCP server’s data has been corrupted or missing and possibly it generates the JET database errors. You need to use the DHCP data recovery options to recover the lost data and correct any of the generate errors. You can also use the reconcile feature in the DHCP console to verify and reconcile any inconsistencies in the database.
If you specific issue is not mentioned above then you need to visit the Microsoft’s website and review the DHCP troubleshooting articles for more details.