Unable to import DHCP File

[Twearden]

Hi All,

 

I've been following this https://www.petenetlive.com/KB/Article/0001177 to change the subnet mask of our second storage server, running Windows Server 2008 R2.

 

I've successfully exported and edited the txt file, but I'm unable to import it.

 

If I use netsh exec c:/dhcp.txt I get "DHCP Server Add Scope Failed. Parameters passed are either incomplete or invalid." and then multiple lines of "The command needs a valid Scope IP Address"

 

If I use netsh dhcp server import c:/dhcp.txt all I get "The request is not supported".

 

I have the great fortune of being in the build alone so I have until tomorrow to sort this out! Any ideas? If not I'll start rebuilding DHCP from scratch.

 

Cheers,

 

Tim

[Griff]

Worth doing it via Powershell? https://scheissitwiekannichhelfen.wordpress.com/2020/12/02/import-and-export-dhcp-server-settings/

 

Also it might be worth looking at getting that server upgraded to a newer OS. Sorry if that sounds patronising but 2008 R2 was end of life in Jan.

[ChrisH]

I would open up the file and try different sections on their own to find the syntax error. The file is usually just full of netsh commands.

[Twearden]

I will see if I can find a way of using powershell with the txt file instead of an xml file.

 

I totally agree, no offence taken! I started in this place a couple of months ago and I've basically been decommissioning old hardware ever since! Doubt this server will run anything newer, but I'm going to totally replace it once I get the budget to properly upgrade our main server (which is running 2016, so 8 years in the right direction, at least)

 

I'll post again if I get stuck. Thanks for your help!

[Twearden]

Yeah no joy doing it automatically at all, even if I only use sections of the txt file. I've nearly finished configuring manually based on the txt file. There's one configurable option "51 DWORD" that I can't seem to find in scope properties. It's also renamed my scope to 10.176.176.0, where the range is 10.176.178.20-200 - this shouldn't matter right? Might even have been my problem running the txt file in the first place? As the scope in the txt file is definitely called 10.176.178.0.

 

As you can no doubt tell, I'm quite new to networking, so really really appreciate all of your help!

[Griff]

There's one configurable option "51 DWORD" that I can't seem to find in scope properties.

 

I think that is the lease duration mines set at 7 days.

 

It's also renamed my scope to 10.176.176.0, where the range is 10.176.178.20-200 - this shouldn't matter right? Might even have been my problem running the txt file in the first place? As the scope in the txt file is definitely called 10.176.178.0.

 

Thats normal behaviour. As long as the start IP and end IP in properties are correct you're all good.

 

As you can no doubt tell, I'm quite new to networking, so really really appreciate all of your help!

 

You're in safe hands here just keep posting people will help. I started Edu IT in 2009 and Edugeek has literally been a lifeline.

[Twearden]

Thanks Griff, agreed this place is my saving grace, so glad I found it!

 

I've got everything pretty much working as planned except for the Voip phones I was trying to fix in the first place!

 

The reason I embarked on this journey of changing subnet mask was so the subnet mask matched on both servers, as the phones taking IP addresses from Server 1 can reach the PBX but those using Server 2 sadly wouldn't. As far as I can tell, they still don't! Any ideas? I'm just restarting/installing updates on Server 1 so I'll give it another quick try after that's done.

 

I think ultimately I'll try to handle DHCP all from one server, as it's not a big enough network to need two DCs - that can be one for the summer though!

[ChrisH]

VOIP systems can have special options in DHCP as well to tag certain things or even redirect the DHCP to the phone system so this is something to look out for.