Using Options Classes

An options class is a way for the server to manage options provided to clients within a scope. When an options class is added to the server, clients of that class can be provided class-specific option types for their configuration. Options classes can be of two types:

• Vendor classes are used to assign vendor-specific options to clients identified as sharing a commonly defined vendor type.
• User classes are used to assign options to clients identified as sharing a common need for similar DHCP options configuration.

You can view the available options classes by selecting Define User Classes, Define Vendor Classes, or Set Predefined Options from the server node shortcut menu. By default, the options you can configure for a reservation, scope, or server are those that belong to the DHCP Standard Options vendor class and to the Default User Class user class.

Tip In Windows Server 2003, the DHCP server includes a predefined user class named Default Routing And Remote Access class. Options within this class apply only to clients that request an address configuration while connecting to Routing And Remote Access. By configuring this option, you can assign shorter lease durations to your remote access clients than to your other DHCP clients.