DHCP Configuration Lab

Lab Overview

This lab involves configuring multiple DHCP pools on Router R2, setting R1 as a DHCP client and relay agent, and verifying DHCP IP address assignments for PC1 and PC2. The goal is to gain hands-on experience with DHCP server, client, and relay configurations.

Lab Tasks

Task 1: Configure DHCP Pools on R2

1. Create the following DHCP pools on R2:

   • POOL1 (192.168.1.0/24):

     • Reserve 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.10.
     • Set DNS: 8.8.8.8.
     • Set Domain: jeremysitlab.com.
     • Set the Default Gateway to R1.

   • POOL2 (192.168.2.0/24):

     • Reserve 192.168.2.1 to 192.168.2.10.
     • Set DNS: 8.8.8.8.
     • Set Domain: jeremysitlab.com.
     • Set the Default Gateway to R2.

   • POOL3 (203.0.113.0/30):

     • Reserve 203.0.113.1.

Commands:

# On R2
R2(config)# ip dhcp excluded-address 192.168.1.1 192.168.1.10
R2(config)# ip dhcp pool POOL1
R2(dhcp-config)# network 192.168.1.0 255.255.255.0
R2(dhcp-config)# default-router 192.168.1.1
R2(dhcp-config)# dns-server 8.8.8.8
R2(dhcp-config)# domain-name jeremysitlab.com

R2(config)# ip dhcp excluded-address 192.168.2.1 192.168.2.10
R2(config)# ip dhcp pool POOL2
R2(dhcp-config)# network 192.168.2.0 255.255.255.0
R2(dhcp-config)# default-router 192.168.2.1
R2(dhcp-config)# dns-server 8.8.8.8
R2(dhcp-config)# domain-name jeremysitlab.com

R2(config)# ip dhcp excluded-address 203.0.113.1
R2(config)# ip dhcp pool POOL3
R2(dhcp-config)# network 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.252

Task 2: Configure R1’s G0/0 Interface as a DHCP Client

1. Set R1’s G0/0 interface to acquire its IP address via DHCP.

Commands:

# On R1
R1(config)# interface gigabitEthernet 0/0
R1(config-if)# ip address dhcp
R1(config-if)# no shutdown

# Verify the IP address
R1# show ip interface brief

Check the IP address assigned by DHCP to R1.

Task 3: Configure R1 as a DHCP Relay Agent

1. Configure R1 to act as a DHCP relay agent for the 192.168.1.0/24 subnet, relaying DHCP requests to R2.

Commands:

# On R1
R1(config)# interface gigabitEthernet 0/1
R1(config-if)# ip helper-address 203.0.113.1

Task 4: Request IP Addresses on PC1 and PC2

1. Use the CLI of PC1 and PC2 to request IP addresses from their respective DHCP servers.

Commands:

# On PC1 and PC2 (in CLI)
PC> ipconfig /renew

# Verify the IP address received
PC> ipconfig /all

Summary of Configuration

• R2 is configured with three DHCP pools for different subnets.
• R1 is configured as a DHCP client and as a DHCP relay agent for the 192.168.1.0/24 subnet.
• PC1 and PC2 receive their IP addresses dynamically from their respective DHCP pools.

Verification and Testing

• Verify the IP addresses assigned to R1, PC1, and PC2 using show ip interface brief and ipconfig commands.
• Check the DHCP pool usage on R2 using the command:

R2# show ip dhcp binding

Conclusion

This lab provided practical experience in configuring DHCP pools, setting up a router as a DHCP client, and configuring a DHCP relay agent to forward requests between subnets. Through configuring DHCP on R2, setting R1 to dynamically receive an IP address, and successfully enabling PC1 and PC2 to acquire their IPs via DHCP, you gained a deeper understanding of dynamic IP management and inter-router communication. Mastering these configurations is essential for managing larger, scalable networks where efficient IP address allocation is crucial.

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Jeremy's IT Lab for providing valuable resources and tutorials that greatly contributed to the completion of this exercise. His in-depth explanations and practical demonstrations have been instrumental in enhancing my understanding of Cisco networking concepts and the effective use of Packet Tracer.

For more information and additional resources, visit Jeremy's IT Lab and check out his YouTube for the full course, Jeremy's IT Lab Free CCNA 200-301 | Complete Course