How to Backup the DHCP Database (on Win2K3) and Restore to another Server (also running Win2K3)

 

To move a DHCP database and configuration from a server that is running Windows Server 2003 to another server that is running Windows Server 2003:

• Log on to the source DHCP server by using an account that is a member of the local Administrators group.
  
• Click Start, click Run, type cmd in the Open box, and then click OK.
  
• Type netsh dhcp server export C:\dhcp.txt all, and then press ENTER.
  

 

Install the DHCP server service on the server that is running Windows Server 2003

To install the DHCP Server service on an existing Windows Server 2003-based computer:

• Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add or Remove Programs.
  
• Click Add/Remove Windows Components.
  
• In the Windows Component Wizard, click Networking Services in the Components box, and then click Details.
  
• Click to select the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) check box if it is not already selected, and then click OK.
  
• In the Windows Components Wizard, click Next to install the selected components. Insert the Windows Server 2003 CD into your computer CD drive or DVD drive if you are prompted to do this. Setup copies the DHCP server and tool files to your computer.
  
• When Setup is complete, click Finish.
  

 

Import the DHCP database

• Log on as a user who is an explicit member of the local Administrators group. A user account in a group that is a member of the local Administrators group will not work. If a local Administrators account does not exist for the domain controller, restart the computer in Directory Services Restore Mode, and use the administrator account to import the database as described later in this section.
  
• Copy the exported DHCP database file to the local hard disk of the Windows Server 2003-based computer.
  

Verify that the DHCP service is started on the Windows Server 2003-based computer.

• Click Start, click Run, type cmd in the Open box, and then click OK.
  
• At the command prompt, type netsh dhcp server import c:\dhcp.txt all, and then press ENTER, where c:\dhcp.txt is the full path and file name of the database file that you copied to the server.
  

 

Authorize the new DHCP server

• Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click DHCP.
  
• In the console tree of the DHCP snap-in, expand the new DHCP server. If there is a red arrow in the lower-right corner of the server object, the server has not yet been authorized.
  
• Right-click the server objects, and then click Authorize.
  
• After several moments, right-click the server again, and then click Refresh. A green arrow indicates that the DHCP server is authorized.