Networking / Beginners

Backing Up the DHCP Server Database

Maintaining a backup of the DHCP database protects you from data loss if the DHCP database is lost (for example, due to hard disk failure) or becomes corrupted.

The two backup methods supported by the DHCP server are synchronous (automatic) backups that occur automatically every 60 minutes and asynchronous (manual) backups, performed using the Backup command in the DHCP console. Only manual backups can be used to perform manual database restorations. Automatic backups are used to restore the database only when the DHCP service detects database corruption.

When a backup occurs, the entire DHCP database is saved, including the following:

  • All scopes, including superscopes and multicast scopes
  • Reservations
  • Leases
  • All options, including server options, scope options, reservation options, and class options

However, some DHCP data is not saved in any type of backup. For example, credentials specified for DNS dynamic update are not backed up with a manual or automatic backup. (You can configure these credentials through the Advanced tab of DHCP server properties.)

[Previous] [Contents] [Next]

In this tutorial:

  1. Configuring DHCP Servers and Clients
  2. Configuring the DHCP Server
  3. Benefits of DHCP
  4. Installing the DHCP Server Service
  5. Authorizing the Server
  6. Configuring Scopes
  7. IP Address Range
  8. Exclusion Ranges
  9. Using the 80/20 Rule for Servers and Scopes
  10. Creating Reservations
  11. Assigning DHCP Options
  12. Activating a Scope
  13. Networking Configuring the Client
  14. Migrating from APIPA or Alternate Configurations
  15. Migrating ICS Clients
  16. Installing and Configuring a DHCP Server
  17. Adding a DHCP Server Role
  18. Configuring a DHCP Client
  19. Managing DHCP in Windows Networks
  20. Changing DCHP Server Status
  21. Services Console
  22. Managing DHCP from a Command Line
  23. Connecting Clients to Remote DHCP Servers
  24. Using Superscopes
  25. Changing the Addressing of a Subnet
  26. Backing Up the DHCP Server Database
  27. Performing a Manual Backup
  28. Manually Compacting a DHCP Server
  29. Using Options Classes
  30. Implementing User Classes
  31. Performing a Manual Backup of the DHCP Server
  32. Creating a New Superscope
  33. Configuring DHCP Servers to Perform DNS Updates
  34. Configuring Dynamic Updates with DHCP
  35. Using the DnsUpdateProxy Security Group
  36. Adding Members to the DnsUpdateProxy