Feature: DHCP Server

Feature: DHCP Server

Introduction

Starting from firmware version v1.7.0, supported GigaCore switches have the ability to enable a DHCP server for one or more groups. The DHCP server can distribute IP addresses to DHCP clients and thereby it can simplify IP address management.
Make sure there is only 1 DHCP server in any Group (VLAN).  Having multiple DHCP servers active in the same Group (VLAN) can cause issues. Common devices to include a DHCP server are routers or some wireless access points. Some end devices also have an embedded DHCP server.

Requirements

  1. Firmware version v1.7.0 or newer
  2. A Layer 3-capable GigaCore switch.
  3. A Layer 3 IP interface has been configured for the group on which you would like to enable DHCP server.

Configuration

Web interface

  1. Browse to the web interface of the GigaCore through a port and with an IP address on which configuration is possible. Typically this is through ports indicated with the blue LED of the management group.
  2. Go to 'Groups | Trunks' configuration in the sidebar
  3. Go to the 'Edit groups' tab
  4. Select the group for which you would like to configure a DHCP server
  5. Scroll down until the 'Layer 3' configuration section.
  6. Enable the DHCP server checkbox
  7. Modify the DHCP range to your desired range. The DHCP IP address range is the range of IP addresses which will be used to hand out IPv4 addresses (called DHCP leases).
  8. Optionally configure a Gateway IP address. This is the Gateway IP address that will be included in the DHCP lease towards the DHCP client. DHCP clients are recommended to use that address as their IPv4 gateway address.
    1. You can leave the Gateway IP address empty by setting it to "None"
    2. You can set the Gateway IP address to the Group IP address of this group by setting the gateway to "Group IP"
    3. You can set a custom Gateway by selecting "Custom" and filling in the IP address in the box.

  9. Advanced configuration options: by clicking the cogwheel, some more advanced configuration options are possible.
    1. DNS IP addresses (up to 2) can be filled in
    2. The DHCP Lease time can be tweaked. Note that changing the lease time will only apply for new DHCP leases.

DHCP Leases monitoring

Once that at least 1 DHCP server has been enabled, the DHCP leases can be monitored using the web interface.
To access the DHCP leases table, either:
  1. Click the link on the right hand side of the status page towards the DHCP Leases page.
  2. Go to the DHCP configuration of a group in which DHCP server has been enabled and click the 'DHCP Leases' link.

Once you have access to the page with DHCP leases:
  1. (1) You can filter on a certain group or use the search bar to search for matching IP addresses, MAC addresses, host name,...
  2. (2) You can perform certain actions on existing DHCP Leases:
    1. For dynamic leases:
      1. You can turn a dynamic lease into a static reservation. With a static reservation, the DHCP server will reserve an IP address for a certain MAC address and that MAC address will always get the same IP address.
      2. You can forget a dynamic lease. Note that this only forgets the IP on the server side. Make sure the device is removed from your network. Forgetting a lease makes the IP address available again for other devices.
    2. For static reservation:
      1. You can edit a static reservation
      2. You can delete a static reservation. Note that this only deletes the static element: if the binding is active, the GigaCore will still remember it as a dynamic lease.
  3. (3) You can create a new static reservation. Note that all IP addresses have to be in the same range as the IP range assigned to the group. With a static reservation, the DHCP server will reserve an IP address for a certain MAC address and that MAC address will always get the same IP address.



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