What is the difference between DHCP on server, firewall, switch, etc... ?

[Mizugori]

What is the difference between having your server, firewall, switch, or some other device be the DHCP server? I feel like just about every networking device I come across has an option to turn on a DHCP server in it! If you have a firewall, switch, and server all capable of enabling a DHCP server, which is the best choice and why? Thanks!

 

[spidey07]

Running it on a server usually has better logging and more DHCP features should you ever need them. But for SOHO, it really isn't going to matter at all unless there is a specific DHCP option you need.

 

[Crusty]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Running it on a server usually has better logging and more DHCP features should you ever need them. But for SOHO, it really isn't going to matter at all unless there is a specific DHCP option you need.

Plus if you're in an MS environment the DHCP server can tie into AD and DNS automatically.

 

[JackMDS]

If you would explain what you have as a network it would be easier to provide a focused answer.

 

[Mizugori]

Originally posted by: Crusty
Plus if you're in an MS environment the DHCP server can tie into AD and DNS automatically.

which means what, practically

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Mizugori

Originally posted by: Crusty
Plus if you're in an MS environment the DHCP server can tie into AD and DNS automatically.

which means what, practically

If you don't have a server, it means nothing.

If you have a server available that can host DHCP and DNS, you'll get fast, reliable name resolution on your local network.

 

[Nothinman]

which means what, practically

The DHCP server will update the DNS server so that as machines get addresses the hostnames in DNS will point to the correct, leased IP address.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

which means what, practically

The DHCP server will update the DNS server so that as machines get addresses the hostnames in DNS will point to the correct, leased IP address.

aka, you have functional name resolution and not "I can't 'see' the other computer"

 

[Nothinman]

aka, you have functional name resolution and not "I can't 'see' the other computer"

Well, it's still gonna be hit or miss as to whether you can see other computers just because Windows network browsing sucks =)

 

[spidey07]

If you have solid, working name resolution it works just fine. If you don't, then yeah it sucks.

 

[Mizugori]

ok i'm going to switch it over to run dhcp off the server, i already have dns running off the server and it works fine. thanks for all the replies