Choosing a DHCP server availability solution
Choosing a DHCP server availability solution ( by Mitch Tulloch) A tip to help you choose the right DHCP server availability solution for your environment. Traditionally, DHCP server availability has been implemented on Windows Server–based networks using one or more of the following methods: Split scopes This approach involves splitting the IP address pool of a scope between two DHCP servers, typically by assigning the primary server 80 percent of the addresses in the scope and the secondary server the remaining 20 percent of the addresses. That way, if the primary server goes offline for any reason, DHCP clients on the subnet can still respond to lease renewal requests from the secondary server. Server cluster This approach involves using the Failover Clustering feature of Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2 to cluster DHCP servers so that if the primary DHCP server in a cluster fails, the secondary server can take up the slack and continue leasing addresses