DHCP Training Labs

DHCP Learning Labs
A review of Train Signal’s Windows 2000/2003 DHCP Video Lab Training – Product Details. See more details at Train Signal’s website.
DHCP, simple eh!  Set it up, add an IP range and exclusions, put in some scope options and that’s it.  WRONG!!  DHCP is a very simple utility to use but it is also a very powerful and probably under-rated tool in Windows 2003 Server’s arsenal.  Train Signal’s lab certainly expanded my limited knowledge of DHCP and what it can do and I shall now be using it to reduce my workload and increase network efficiency from now on.

 

The Lab starts off with the usual Concepts Video.  This explains the difference between Scope Options and Server Options, and Server Scopes.  Server Scopes, a great time saver as well as reducing the possibility of configuration conflicts.  Several other nifty Scope/Server Option tricks are explained in this video, how they can be implemented and why.  This part of the Lab is just excellent and set the standard for the other 4 videos.
Each video starts off with the usual thorough Train Signal briefing of what will be covered.  In this case how to install DHCP and all sorts of ancillary information is included during Scott (the instructor’s) talk through.  Nothing is too small to mention even that you have to right click the DHCP Server to get the Options menu so you can Authorize the DHCP Server.  There are reasons why you may not be able to authorize the server and we get a Train Signal troubleshooting lesson.  We learn what settings to check to make sure the configuration is correct before delving deeper into the bowels of DHCP Server.  Rogue DHCPs are discussed and how when installed, either legitimately or not, affect the network.  Authorizing the DHCP Server helps negate the effects of the rogue units.  Lease duration is given a good workout especially the renewal aspect of how it renews, why it renews and the way it renews.  Lease length and why it might be changed (increased or decreased) is gone into in some detail with advantages and disadvantages well covered.  It all makes perfect sense when explained in Train Signal’s logical and non confusing way.  I was very interested in the part about Reservations.  Due to the LANs I work with I have never had the need to use (or learn) about them but Train Signal has shown how easy they are to setup and have opened for me the potential possibilities of implementing them.
Video 2 lets us know we will be looking at fault tolerance, a second DHCP install, scope configuration and client testing.  A second server has DHCP install and this revision is quickly run through.  This was done to show how to configure different scopes on one network to make the DHCP fault tolerant.  This time the wizard is not used and we learn how to configure the scope manually.  Once configured, a network fault is “created” and the fault tolerance is demonstrated.  This video provides another excellent troubleshooting tutorial as Train Signal uses real world methods to solve the problem instead of pausing the video and doing the quick fix.

In Video 3, Superscopes are the topic.  This is comprehensively done as the whole video is devoted to this topic.  This is really full on and there is so much information in it that I am unable to pick out the key points as there are really too many.   There could be a whole review just on Superscopes alone.  However Train Signal has done its usual comprehensive and in-depth coverage of this specialized topic and you will not leave this video without knowing or understanding Superscopes, how, where and when to implement them or why.
Video 4 covers the DHCP Relay Agent, how to setup a lab to demonstrate it, what scopes need to be created, the Relay Agent setup, configuration and finally testing it.  The network segments are created and RRAS is configured on the Relay Agent server.  I know I sound like a broken record, but I really am impressed that when a problem occurs during a lab Train Signal use it as a troubleshooting exercise.  This happens during this video and we are again privileged to receive a lesson on logical troubleshooting techniques.  Just brilliant.  So many little tips and tricks are learnt during this troubleshooting.  It is knowledge that would take months to gain not to mention the stress experienced with the problems at the time.  That lesson over and we move onto DHCP configuration with RRAS being configured to work with Relay Agent.  There are quite a few settings to configure and Train Signal cover them all in-depth with the explanation to accompany them.  The video finishes off with a comprehensive look at the various properties and options of the DHCP Server.
The information I learned about DHCP Server certainly surprised me as I didn’t think it was as extensive and complex as it is.  However, thanks to Train Signal and their professionally presented tutorials I have again expanded my knowledge through another of their interesting and informative Labs.  You guys help me keep on top of the game make me look great to my clients.
Another excellent Computer Based Training Lab by Train Signal. You can read more details about this product here:
Windows 2000/2003 DHCP Video Lab Training – Product Details

About the writer

Chris G. Breen (aka Biggles77) is one of the Petri.co.il forum moderators and one of the most active writes on these forums. Chris lives and works in Australia.

For more information and review copies

Please visit Train Signal’s website