DHCP Infrastructure

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is an IP standard for simplifying management of host IP configuration. The DHCP standard provides for the use of DHCP servers as a way to manage dynamic allocation of IP addresses and other related configuration details for DHCP-enabled clients on your network.

Hierarchy of Managed Entities

Managed Entities

Name	Description
DHCP Server	A Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server is a computer running the DHCP Server service that holds information about available IP addresses and related configuration information, as defined by the DHCP administrator, and responds to requests from DHCP clients.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) NAP Components	Network Access Protection (NAP) is a health policy creation, enforcement, and remediation technology that is included in Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. With NAP, system administrators can enforce health requirements, which can include software requirements, security update requirements, required computer configurations, and other settings. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) enforcement includes a DHCP NAP enforcement server component and a DHCP NAP enforcement client component. By using DHCP enforcement, DHCP servers can enforce health policy requirements any time a computer attempts to lease or renew an IP address configuration on the network. DHCP enforcement is the easiest enforcement to deploy because all DHCP client computers must lease IP addresses. DHCP NAP requires proper NPS/RADIUS configuration.
DHCP Scopes	A Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) scope is the consecutive range of possible IP addresses that the DHCP server can lease to clients on a subnet. Scopes typically define a single physical subnet on your network to which DHCP services are offered. Scopes are the primary way for the DHCP server to manage distribution and assignment of IP addresses and any related configuration parameters to DHCP clients on the network.
DHCP Runtime	Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) runtime includes normal operating functions of the DHCP server. Examples of these functions include lease issuance and rogue detection.
DHCP Database	The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) service database is a dynamic database that is updated as DHCP clients are assigned or as they release their TCP/IP configuration parameters. The DHCP server database can be backed up and restored, or migrated to another server.
DHCP Service	The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server service is a process that runs in the background on a computer running Windows Server and provides IP addresses to clients.
DHCPv6 Runtime	Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol version 6 (DHCPv6) runtime includes normal operating functions of the DHCPv6 server. Examples of these functions include lease issuance and rogue detection.
DHCPv6 Scopes	A Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol version 6 (DHCPv6) scope is the consecutive range of possible IPv6 addresses that the DHCP server can lease to clients on a subnet. Scopes typically define a single physical subnet on your network to which DHCP services are offered. Scopes are the primary way for the DHCP server to manage distribution and assignment of IP addresses and any related configuration parameters to DHCP clients on the network.
DHCPv6 Service	The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol version 6 (DHCPv6) Server service is a process that runs in the background on a computer running Windows Server and that provides Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) addresses to clients.
DHCP Client	With a DHCP server installed and configured on your network, DHCP-enabled clients can obtain their IP address and related configuration parameters dynamically each time they start and join your network. DHCP servers provide this configuration in the form of an address-lease offer to requesting clients.