Set up a DHCP server to manage IP addresses

An anonymous reader writes "The second in a three-part series on how to leverage Linux to get the most from your network, this tutorial shows how to set up a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server with Internet Systems Consortium (ISC) DHCP. Sample code and configuration files are provided throughout to aid understanding."

Comments

Re:So what's the point?

[squiggleslash]

Depends on whether (a) you use an off-the-shelf router (I used a couple and got fed up with stupid NAT connection auto-timeouts and the lack of auto fix-the-MTU hacks for PPPoE connections), and (b) whether it does all you want.

On my network at home, my DHCP server sets itself up according to my DNS. So if I want to change a few IP addresses, or change my entire network to run in a different netblock, or whatever, it's a simple matter of modifying the two name server zones (something I'd have to do anyway), and restarting everything.

I, admittedly, have a relatively large network for a home user (not that it's that big by /. standards), but it's not large by general standards.

Different people will appreciate different tools for the jobs. Some people like those dedicated router things, but most of them have never left a secure shell session to the office open for fifteen minutes...