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How can I move a DHCP database from one server to another?
John Savill
January 8, 2000
1 Min Read
A. Perform the steps below on the server that currentlyhosts the DHCP Server service. Be warned that while doing this no DHCP clientswill be able to start TCP/IP so this should be done outside working hours.
Log on as an Administrator and stop DHCP (Start - Settings - Control Panel- Services - Microsoft DHCP server - Stop).
You also need to stop DHCP from starting again after a reboot so start theServices Control Panel applet and select Microsoft DHCP Server and clickStartup. From the startup choose disabled and click OK.
Copy the DHCP directory tree %systemroot%system32DHCP to a temporarystorage area for use later.
Start the registry editor (regedt32.exe)
Move to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesDHCPServerConfiguration
From the Registry menu, click Save Key. Create a name for this key, forexample dhcpcfg.bck
Close the registry editor
Optionally if you want to remove DHCP from the source machine totally deletethe DHCP directory (%systemroot%system32dhcp) and then delete the DHCPService (Start - Settings - Network - Services - Microsoft DHCP Server -Remove)
On the new DHCP server perform the following
Log on as an Administrator
If the server does not have the DHCP server service installed, install it(Start - Settings - Control Panel - Network - Services - Add - DHCP Server)
Stop the DHCP service (Start - Settings - Control Panel - Services -Microsoft DHCP server - Stop).
Delete the contents of %systemroot%system32dhcp
Copy the backed up DHCP directory tree from the storage area to%systemroot%/system32/dhcp, but rename the file system.mdb to system.src. Youmay not have this file if you are using NT 4.0, skip this step.
Start the registry editor (regedt32.exe)
Move toHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesDHCPServerConfigurationand select it
From the registry menu select restore
Located the file dhcpcgf.bck you saved from the original machine and clickopen
Click Yes to the warning
Close the registry editor
Reboot the machine
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