Configuring a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server

Specifying user-defined and vendor-specific options

You can define new options that are not available in the set of global options. These are termed ``user-defined options'' and are assigned codes in the range 128 through 254.

When configuring options for a vendor class, you can also define vendor-specific options that are unique to an individual vendor class. Vendor class options can be assigned codes in the range 1 through 254. This means that you can redefine any standard global option if this is required by a particular vendor's hardware. This redefined option only applies to the vendor class for which it is defined.

To create a new user-defined or vendor-specific option using the DHCP Server Manager:

If you want to add a global user-defined option, select View User Defined Options, and then select Entry Add.
If you want to add a vendor-specific option, click on the Add button next to the list of defined options on the Vendor Generic Options Configuration screen.
Enter the following information for the user-defined option:

Identifier
A numeric identifier for the option in the range 128 through 254 (1 through 254 for vendor-specific options). A name for the option will be generated with the format ``optionxxx'' where xxx is the numeric identifier.
Description
An additional text string describing the option.
Type
Select the data type of the option from the list. Possible values are:

8-bit integer

Unsigned 8-bit integer

16-bit integer

Unsigned 16-bit integer

32-bit integer

Unsigned 32-bit integer

Boolean
0 for false, 1 for true
IP address
in dotted decimal notation
String
text
Binary
hexadecimal number

Array
If you selected an integer or an IP address type, select this if the option can consist of more than one value. An array can be interpreted as a set of individual values or as a range of values.
Min value
If the type is an integer, enter the minimum allowed value.
Max value
If the type is an integer, enter the maximum allowed value.
Min length
If the type is string or binary, enter the minimum length in bytes allowed.
If the type is an array of integers or IP addresses, enter the minimum number of entries allowed.
Max length
If the type is string or binary, enter the maximum length in bytes allowed.
If the type is an array of integers or IP addresses, enter the maximum number of entries allowed.
Click on OK when you have finished configuring the option.

Once a user-defined option has been added, it is available to be assigned a value in a client, user class, vendor class, subnet, or global set of options.

To modify a user-defined or vendor-specific option using the DHCP Server Manager:

If you want to modify a global user-defined option, select View User Defined Options, select the option from those listed, then select Entry Modify.
If you want to modify a vendor-specific option, select the option from the list of defined options on the Vendor Generic Options Configuration screen, and click on Modify.
Make the necessary changes and click on OK.

NOTE: You cannot change the Identifier or Name.

To delete a user-defined or vendor-specific option using the DHCP Server Manager:

If you want to delete a global user-defined option, select View User Defined Options, select the option from those listed, then select Entry Delete.
If you want to delete a vendor-specific option, select the option from the list of defined options on the Vendor Generic Options Configuration screen, and click on Delete.
When asked to confirm that you want to delete the option, click on OK.