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What is DHCP?

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is network protocol for automatically assigning TCP/IP information to client machines. Each DHCP client connects to the centrally-located DHCP server which returns that client's network configuration including IP address, gateway, host name, and DNS servers.

Why do we need DHCP server?

DHCP is useful for fast delivery of client network configuration. When configuring the client system, the administrator can choose DHCP and not have to enter an IP address, netmask, gateway, or DNS servers. The client retrieves this information from the DHCP server. DHCP is also useful if an administrator wants to change the IP addresses of a large number of systems. Instead of reconfiguring all the systems, he can just edit one DHCP configuration file on the server for the new set of IP address. If the DNS servers for an organization changes, the changes are made on the DHCP server, not on the DHCP clients. Once the network is restarted on the clients (or the clients are rebooted), the changes will take effect.

Furthermore, if a laptop or any type of mobile computer is configured for DHCP, it can be moved from office to office without being reconfigured as long as each office has a DHCP server that allows it to connect to the network.

Installing DHCP server

Become a super user

user@server:~# sudo su -
Password:

root@server:~# apt-get install dhcp3-server

root@server:~# vim /etc/dhcp3/dhcpd.conf

# Sample DHCP Configuration File.
ddns-update-style none;
authoritative;
log-facility local7;
subnet 192.168.0.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 {
   option subnet-mask 255.255.255.0;
   #Domain name that client should use when resolving host names
   option domain-name "mydomain.com.my"
   #IP address of DNS server
   option domain-name-servers 192.168.0.1;
   #IP address of router
   option routers 192.168.0.1;
   option broadcast-address 192.168.0.255;
   #IP address of NTP server
   option ntp-servers 192.168.0.1;
 
   group GENERAL {
 	host HOST1 {
	    hardware ethernet 00:0D:29:A9:D0:CB;
	    fixed-address 192.168.0.100;
	}
	host HOST2 {
	    hardware ethernet 00:AC:29:A4:C0:CB;
	    fixed-address 192.168.0.101;
	}
    }
}

root@server:~# /etc/init.d/dhcp3-server restart