Configure DHCP relay for remote access clients in Windows 2000 Server

by Jim Boyce | Mar 27, 2006 8:00:00 AM

Tags: NETWORKING, Microsoft Windows, remote access, Jim Boyce, DHCP, DHCP Relay, server, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Windows 2000 Server Tips Newsletter

Takeaway: Setting up a remote access server using Windows 2000 Server? You can configure the RRAS service to forward DHCP requests to a DHCP server with a few simple steps. Here's how.

You are probably aware that Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) enables clients to obtain IP settings such as address, DNS servers, gateway, and other properties automatically and dynamically. If you are setting up a remote access server using Windows 2000 Server, you can configure the RRAS service to forward DHCP requests (perform DHCP relay) to a DHCP server.

Follow these steps to configure DHCP relay:

1. Open the Routing and Remote Access console from the Administrative Tools folder.
2. Expand the IP Routing branch, right-click DHCP Relay Agent, and choose Properties.
3. In the DHCP Relay Agent Properties dialog box, enter the IP address of the DHCP server and click Add, then click OK.
4. Verify that the interface for which you want to use DHCP relay is enabled in the right pane. If not, right-click DHCP Relay Agent in the left pane and choose New Interface. Select the interface and click OK.

When setting up DHCP relay, note that there are two important restrictions. You can't use the DHCP Relay Agent on a server that is running the DHCP service, nor can you use it on a server running NAT with automatic addressing enabled.

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