DHCP in Windows Server is one of those little thought about services that do not get much attention unless you are setting up a new DHCP server, configuring a DHCP scope, or migrating to another physical server.
So just how do you go about migrating a Server or Scope from Windows NT Server, Windows 2000 Server or Windows 2003 server to a new Windows 2003 Server? The tools used and procedure depends on what version of Windows you are migrating from.
If you are Migrating from either Windows NT Server 4.0 or Windows 2000 Server DHCPEXIM is used for the export and netsh used for the import into Windows Server 2003 where as if you are going from Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2003 netsh is used for both the export and import.
The entire procedure involves the following steps:
· Compact the DHCP Database (Only required for Windows NT and Windows 2000)
· Export DHCP Database & DHCP Configuration (Windows NT 4.0 and 2000 Server DHCPEXIM) ( Windows Server 2003 netsh)
· Import DHCP Configuration and Database into Windows Server 2003 (Use Netsh)
Compact the DHCP Database
This first step is only required for Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 Server and is outlined below:
1. You first need to stop the DHCP Server Service this can be achieved by running the following command from the command prompt. (Start Run CMD Press enter)
Net stop dhcpserver <press enter>
2. This second step involves running the jetpack command against your DHCP Database, open a command prompt (Start Run CMD Press enter) and run the following commands
Cd %systemroot%\system32\dhcp <press enter>
Jetpack dhcp.mdb TempFileName.mdb <press enter>
Figure 1: Compacting the DHCP.mdb Database
Export the DHCP Database
This part is broken down into two sections Exporting the DHCP Database from Windows NT 4.0/ Windows 2000 Server and Exporting the DHCP Database from Windows Server 2003
Exporting the DHCP Database from NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 Server
In the entire process of migrating a DHCP server the export of the DHCP Database for both NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 Server requires use of the Server Resource Kit tool DHCPEXIM, DHCPEXIM is also available as a separate download from the following URL:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927229
First begin by downloading and installing DHCPEXIM.
Once installed run DHCPEXIM.exe from the following location C:\Program Files\Resource Kit you would be presented the start window as seen below in figure 2
1. As shown in figure 2 below select Export configuration of the local service to a file
Figure 2: DHCP Export Import Tool start Window
2. On the export to file window (figure 3 below) select the path and name of the export file.
Figure 3: DHCP Export to file window
3. Finally as seen in figure 4 select the scope/s that you want to migrate, if you are migrating the entire server then select all scopes. Also ensure that you check the checkbox Disable the selected scopes on local machine before export, then click Export.
Figure 4: DHCPEXIM Scope Selection Window
If you are exporting all of the scopes you may want to consider disabling the DHCP Server Service, so that the service will no longer start.
Exporting the DHCP Database from a Windows Server 2003 DHCP Server
To export the DHCP Database from a Windows Server 2003 DHCP server is performed via the use of the netsh command, as follows:
1. Open a command prompt Start in the Run box type cmd press Enter
2. In the command prompt type the following command
Netsh dhcp server export c:\temp\dhcpServerName.txt all <press enter>
You have now successfully exported the DHCP database and configuration from Windows Server 2003, copy this export text file to your import server and you can continue to the Import section below,
Importing the DHCP Database and configuration into a Windows Server 2003 DHCP Server
To start this task requires that you have the DHCP Server Service installed.
1. First ensure that you have the DHCP Server Service installed, this service is started.
2. Open a Command Prompt (Start Run Type cmd Press enter)
3. Type and run the following command in the command prompt
Netsh dhcp server import c:\temp\dhcpServerName.txt all <Press Enter>
4. Finally open the DHCP Admin tool and check all scopes if all is ok, in the DHCP Admin tool where you see the server name right click and select Authorize as shown in figure5 below
Figure 5: Authorize DHCP Server
You have now completed migrating your DHCP Server, please post any comments or suggestions below. In addition if you have any article suggestions please send them to me via the contact link/form.