I currently have a server with fresh install, connected to a switch and a test PC connected to the same switch. they are both off the external network for testing. I have set up a DHCP pool so that the test PC can get an address. The test PC does not get an address:

1 It is set to dynamic

2 the server has an address of 192.168.0.10 and gateway 192.168.0.1

3 the test PC reads "failed to reach DHCP server"

Do i need to install any other roles before i can proceed.

Also both machines can ping the switch but not each other

1) How do you try pinging test machine when it does not get an address?
2) Is DHCP scope activated?
3) did you try checking DHCP logs? (default location is c:\windows\system32\dhcp)

I have given both PC's 192.168 addresses to see if i a ping can reach. i want to resolve that issue first.

Scope is active

i have set the default gate as 192.168.0.1 on both, should it matter as i dont need to get outside the network?

Hi Conrad,

Ensure DHCP server service is running on the server.

We could use Network Monitor to analyze the problem. When requesting IP address, client would send a DHCP discover broadcast packet. And the DHCP would send DHCP offer if it got the discover packet.

Install Network Monitor on client and DHCP server. Start new captures and type ipconfig /renew on client. We could analyze the process according to the packets.

Here is the guide for Network Monitor:
Network Monitor:
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc938655.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396

Here is the reference for DHCP:
How DHCP Technology Works:
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc780760%28v=ws.10%29.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396

Best Regards,

Leo