DNS/DHCP Server about to die, how to move DCHP

[mattianuk]

Hi

 

I have just started at a new place - and the DHCP server has a faulty HDD in RAID - so the server is working atm but as far as I can tell it is the DCHP/DNS server for the network.

 

I want to move the roles onto a new 2008r2 server that the guy before me brought along before it all dies. The server that is dying is a Win 2003 box.

 

On the 2008 R2 box it has the DNS role already and it is a DC as well. It does not have the DCHP role.

 

Can someone advise me if it is as simple as giving the new 2008R2 server the DCHP role? If the 2003 server then fails, will they pick up the 2008 server automagically?

 

Or do I have to do some setting up of DCHP before hand, or furthermore do I need to turn the dying server off before enabling DCHP?(and if I do so will DNS be affected, or will it fall over the 2008R2 server as that role is already in place?

 

TIA

Edited April 23, 2012 by mattianuk

[Jamman960]

On a basic level you just need to add the DHCP role then setup the scopes to be exactly the same as the other, also copy accross the dns & default gateway settings from server/scope options.

 

Once you're ready you'll need to authorise the scope/server and off you go. you can have more than 1 DHCP server running and offering out the same scope but clients will end up getting IP's from whichever responds to their requests the quickest.

 

Other things you need to be aware of are reservations and exclusions, these should really be copied over also. You can export them but theres no way to import so its basically a case of going through them one by one presuming any have been setup.

Edited April 23, 2012 by Jamman960

[Michael]

It's very easy to do, follow instructions here. Good luck!

 

Edit: Add the DHCP role on 2008 R2, then follow the above link how to export/import the database. This will keep any reservations, the IP range itself and existing leases 'as is' without having to start again.

Edited April 23, 2012 by Michael

[mattianuk]

It's very easy to do, follow instructions here. Good luck!

 

Edit: Add the DHCP role on 2008 R2, then follow the above link how to export/import the database. This will keep any reservations, the IP range itself and existing leases 'as is' without having to start again.

 

Thanks for that, that is really useful... just off for a read!

[mattianuk]

Right,sounds easy enough,obviously Ill do it outside of hours, but it does not say if it is a good idea to switch the DCHP server off on the 2003 box? Is there a quick way to disable it other then turning the box off?

 

Stupid questions Im sure.

[Michael]

Right,sounds easy enough,obviously Ill do it outside of hours, but it does not say if it is a good idea to switch the DCHP server off on the 2003 box? Is there a quick way to disable it other then turning the box off?

 

Stupid questions Im sure.

 

Yes, once the database is migrated unauthorise the old server, then open services.msc and disable the DHCP Server service.

[mattianuk]

Unauthorise?

[Michael]

Unauthorise the old DHCP scope once you've migrated the database. Sorry for not being clear

[mattianuk]

Many thanks!