How do I create DHCP redundancy for Windows 2003?
I have two Windows 2003 domain controllers. I want to make DHCP redundant so if the first DC drops off the network the other one will take over. I don't want to get too involved in clustering. Is the correct way to split the IP address ranges between the two DCs and have each exclude the other's range? What about if I manually back up DHCP on the first DC and restore the DHCP database to the second server but NOT activate it. That way I have all the reservations and scopes should anything happen to the first server? What about the address reservations? How can I make that redundant? Can I just copy that over?
May 31st, 2012 9:33am

Hello, see here about 80/20 rule and how it is used: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc739076(v=WS.10).aspx http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc780311(WS.10).aspxBest regards Meinolf Weber MVP, MCP, MCTS Microsoft MVP - Directory Services My Blog: http://msmvps.com/blogs/mweber/ Disclaimer: This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties or guarantees and confers no rights.
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May 31st, 2012 9:59am

I do not recommend clustering for DHCP. If you have two DHCP servers, I would recommend that split the scopes in half (50/50). I do not recommend that you try to have a primary DHCP server and configure a "cold" standby server. A 50/50 split is easy and works very well. In the event of a server failure, one server will handle the load until you repair the failed server. http://www.itgeared.com/articles/1085-load-balancing-dhcp-using-split-scopes/ With address reservations, you need to create the reservations on both systems because you cant guarantee which DHCP will respond so reservations are required on both DHCP systems. Guides and tutorials, visit ITGeared.com.
May 31st, 2012 10:12am

Hello, I have two Windows 2003 domain controllers. I want to make DHCP redundant so if the first DC drops off the network the other one will take over. I don't want to get too involved in clustering. Is the correct way to split the IP address ranges between the two DCs and have each exclude the other's range? To split is the better option here. If the servers are in the same network then use 50 / 50 rule. If not then use 80 / 20 one. What about if I manually back up DHCP on the first DC and restore the DHCP database to the second server but NOT activate it. That way I have all the reservations and scopes should anything happen to the first server? And what I about IP addresses which were already assigned? If your new server is not aware then you will have duplicated IP addresses. So, this is not an option. What about the address reservations? How can I make that redundant? Can I just copy that over? Do the same on the two servers. That is all. This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights. Microsoft Student Partner 2010 / 2011 Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator: Security Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Security Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows 7, Configuring Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Designing and Providing Volume Licensing Solutions to Large Organizations Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Enterprise Administrator Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Server Administrator Microsoft Certified Trainer
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May 31st, 2012 10:16am

Hi, Here are some other links : http://blogs.technet.com/b/teamdhcp/archive/2007/06/15/how-to-use-split-scopes-in-dhcp-for-a-robust-deployment.aspx http://blogs.technet.com/b/teamdhcp/archive/2007/06/23/thumb-rule-for-determining-the-ratio-in-a-dhcp-split-scope-deployment.aspx http://blogs.technet.com/b/teamdhcp/archive/2007/10/26/reservations-in-split-scopes.aspx Regards,
May 31st, 2012 10:16am

Thank you but is there any easier way to copy the hundreds of lines of Address Reservations over to the second domain controller? Netsh perhaps? Or can I copy the entire database to the second DC, leave the reservations intact but change the scope so that only 50% of the IPs are available?
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May 31st, 2012 10:56am

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