DHCP, Task: Monitor key DHCP dependencies (Active Directory and network)

Task: Monitor key DHCP dependencies (Active Directory and network)

Purpose

This task monitors key DHCP dependencies, including Active Directory® and network services. If this infrastructure becomes unavailable, DHCP is also adversely impacted.

Procedure 1: Monitor Active Directory services

Active Directory service monitoring can be found in the Active Directory Service Product Operations Guide.

Procedure 2: Monitor network infrastructure

Network infrastructure is typically managed using tools compatible with the infrastructure vendor - for example, CiscoWorks for Cisco-brand network infrastructure. SNMP v1-3 protocols are commonly used to monitor and tune these devices.

The netsh and pathping commands can be used for a quick check of connectivity to local DHCP servers.

1. Open a command session or construct a batch file script.
2. Run the Netsh tool by typing:
       netsh diag ping dhcp
3. Verify that the desired DHCP server is in the list and accessible within appropriate performance levels.
4. Run Pathping by typing:
   pathping dhcpserver_hostname
5. Verify that the specified DHCP server is accessible within appropriate performance and reliability levels, especially packet loss.

Dependencies

    None

Technology Required

• Netsh and Pathping are included with Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP
• Base DHCP Windows Server 2003