Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) provides computers essential information when connecting to an IP network. By using the DHCP Server service, the process of configuring TCP/IP on DHCP clients is automatic. Kindly refer to the following related guides: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol works, and DHCP Icons: DHCP specific reference console icons, Information on BOOTP Vendor Extensions and DHCP Options, and how to create and delete a DHCP reservation in Windows Server 2019.

Since WDS interacts with DHCP, Active Directory etc. As all of these functions are part of the Windows Server platform, it is cost-effective to use them on a single server.

Note: DHCP can also be offered by a non-Windows server.

Install DHCP on Windows Server on 2019

In order to configure your home network devices using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), you need to have a DHCP server on your network.

It is often easier to use the DHCP server that is built-in on most routers (either wired or wireless) and Ethernet switches because these devices are almost always left on, but this is not the case. I will be using Windows Server 2019 to install and set up the DHCP role.

For more information on DHCP, see the following article Automatic IP Assignment: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)., and how to backup and restore a Windows DHCP Server via the DHCP Manager and PowerShell.

Step 1: Add roles and features

Open Server Manager and click on Manage as shown below. Select Add roles and features.

Step 2: Select Server Pool

On the Before You Begin page, click on Next. Choose Role-based or Feature-based installation and click on Next.

If you have multiple servers, select the right server from the server pool. For me, I have just one server and it is automatically selected below.

Click on Next to proceed to the step page. Select on Role-Based or feature-based installation

Click on Role-Based or feature-based installation

Select a server and click on Next

Please see how to fix “Can’t Sign In: Domain Unavailable 169.254 IP Address Issue, how to configure WDS and DHCP Deployment Scenarios, and Windows Deployment Services: How to setup and install WDS role.

Step 3: Add DHCP Server to Feature

Install DHCP Server role. This next page is titled “Select Server Roles” and has got a list of roles to install.

When “DHCP server” is selected, it will pop a feature that is required for DHCP, click on the Add Feature as shown below. Finally, Click on the next button.

Click on Add Features

Check the DHCP Server button and click Next

Skip the Features windows by clicking on Next as this is not needed at the moment as non of the features are.

Step 4: Install the DHCP Role

On the next page titled “DHCP Server” simply click on “Next“. On the confirmation page, you can optionally click on restart the destination server automatically if required.

This will ensure the restart process is automated. Finally, click on Install

Check restart and click Install

As you can see below, the DHCP server role is being installed on the server.

For more on roles and features, see the following article on “What are the differences between a role and a feature“.

The image below shows DHCP server installation is successful. Finally, click on Close

DHCP Post Configuration

Note: A post-installation of DHCP is required, see the following article on Configuring DHCP: Post-deployment of Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, see “Post-deployment of Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol“.

An alternative to this which is very effortless is the following solution here dhcpserver.de.

I hope you found this blog post on how to install the DHCP role on Windows Server helpful. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comment session.