Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol System - Configuration & Troubleshooting

Service and server requirement

Discuss about the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol System.

Technology has become an integral part of the organisation to proceed with their business operations. One of such technology is the networking capability of the organisations that enable them to communicate within and outside of the firms. Tobias Estate understanding the need of the considered technology has decided to reengineer and in the process upgrade their networking infrastructure. The reengineering process of the network infrastructure has cited certain requirements of the firm that will enhance and make the business operations of the firm more effective and efficient. The requirements include installation of the print servers, centralisation of the user’s authentication process, internal server website hosting and automatic allocation of IP address for the systems.

The sections following has been devised to address the business requirements of the subject (Tobias Estate) and will lay its base on the Microsoft Server 2012. The sections following will offer an insight into the business requirements followed by service & server requirements, configuration of the servers, troubleshooting and other relevant necessary topics. The screenshots of the installation and configuration process of the proposed servers has even been discussed before summarising the discussion as part of the conclusion to conclude the paper.

The subject of the paper, Tobias Estate is one of the respected real estate agency that have its establishment in Melbourne Australia. The subject is planning to enhance their networking capability which includes certain requirements. The requirements cited by the firm is that the central system should offer centralisation of the user authentication for the firm’s clients. Another requirement of the subject cites the need for print server that will offer its assistance during the accessing and use of the printing devices. The capability of auto-allocation of the IP address is also one of the requirements posted by the subject. The final requirement of the subject deems the need of capability to host the website from the organisational server.

The requirements of the subject could be met by the Microsoft Server 2012. The discussed server solution is of great prominence when taken consideration of the requirements as the DCHP server can meet the requirement of the allocation of the IP addresses to the server connected systems, print server for the same requirement and similarly other options that offered by the Server 2012 that are capable of coping up with the cited requirements. The solution in discussion is also capable of different server oriented capabilities and features such as the website hosting capability, user management and other desired server capabilities. Additionally, the ease of installation, configuration, operation and management of the server that is offered by the Windows Server is also a factor that offers it prominence as the solution for the subject’s requirement. It is also based on the Windows architecture network that gives the users the ease of use and understanding.

Active Directory Service (ADS) developed by Microsoft is part of the Microsoft Server 2012 and offers the capability of managing and accessibility of the network resources and permissions for the use of network.

Dynamic host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server as stated in the above section holds the capability to dynamically assign the systems connected to the network with IP address and other necessary network parameters. The DHCP server to make it comfortable for the users provides a unique IP address to each of the systems connected to the network.

Domain Name Server or DNS is a database server (DNS records) that stores the hostname and the public IP addresses. It is responsible for conversion of the domain name to the IP address to make it understandable by the computing systems. It will be of assistance in hosting the website.

Web Server is the server that is responsible for communication, interaction and preparation for the communication or interaction with the internet. The primary role of the server in discussion is storing, processing and delivery of web pages to the clients. The HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is the key associate of the web server as the communication between the server and the client takes placed through the former.

Print Server connects the printers and the client computing system over the network. The server accepts the print requests and also sends the requests to appropriate printers and ques the requests

ADS needs to be installed from the “Add Roles and Wizard features” where the first step is to define the roles and roles services that the server in installation is deemed to play. It will assist in having a well-defined idea of the server and will even assist in leveraging an effective and efficient performance. In the next step, the installation type needs to be selected as the role-based or feature-based followed by the destination where the server is supposed to be installed. Post selection of the destination a list of server roles will appear of which the role that the server in installation is supposed to be played will be selected. In the deem case the “Active Directory Domain Services” needs to be selected as shown in the figure. The feature defining is the next step which completes the installation process.

The configuration is the next objective which initiates with the “Server Manager” dashboard which leads to ADS configuration Wizard. In the discussed process first the domain name is specified followed by the domain controller options and all of the specific functions needs to be done using the administrative account. The paths and reviewing of the options ensures the success of the installation and configuration. Prerequisites check is the final procedure to complete the configuration process. The server in discussion can prove to be of great vitality in website hosting and managing the resources of the network which will also enable the centralization of the user authentications.

DHCP servers can be installed by the procedure as discussed in case of the ADS however, the configuration process of the discussed server is initiated after entering the administrative tools.  In the administrative tool option the DHCP console need to be accessed to authorize the server details. The first step is to manage the address pool which is available in the scope that has been named and described by the user. In the address pool the IP address range needs defined which is evident from the image attached below. In the discussed scenario, the initial point starts from 10 and ends at 75.  A description along with the range can also be described to make it more understandable for the users. The policies of the DHCP are then accepted and granted. The final step involves entering the domain range into the router page to make it compatible and connected with the system’s server. The server in discussion is in context with the requirements of the business and can also be expanded if the requirement of the business changes.

DNS server installation needs to define the role of the server before proceeding with the installation. It ensures that the functionality of the server is according to the requirements of the business and does not alter or deviates from the expectations expected from it. The next step would be to install the server which is available in the “Add Roles and Features Wizard” where the server that were created using the Server Manager is selected. Following the selection, the roles of the server needs to be selected where the option of the server in context is available along with the description.

The Web Server settings are also available with the same section and can be accessed from the same point. The role services need to be selected for installation of the Web Server as part of the first step. Post selection of all the necessary details and components of required for the installation, the process of installation initializes which has been shown in the image that has been attached below. The final outcomes post installation and configuration of the DNS and web server has also been attached below to cite as evidence.

Print server can be installed and configured by accessing the administrative tool and further accessing the option of “Add Roles and Features Wizard”. The image attached below is reference to the process and the selection of the options according to the requirement of the business in context. However, the print server’s outcomes are physical in nature and can be checked non-virtually. The “printer and printing devices” option is capable of plugging in and playing the printer through the server and hence needs to be equipped as part of the print server installation and configuration to ensure the success of the processes in context. Depending upon the printed pages quality any altercation or modification to the print server’s setting can be done. The installation of the print server is in context with the requirement of the business and hence is vital in nature.

Conclusion

The paper can be emphasized to state that networking has demerged as one of the crucial need of the business. Hence, keeping the network infrastructure updated according to the needs of the business of mandatory. Tobias Estate understanding the above mentioned fact decided to update their services and the paper has offered a network solution depending on the firm’s need. Installation and configuration of different servers that are in context with the requirements of the business has been discussed along with the screenshots to make the process more understandable and visible.

The paper can be summarized to conclude that networking infrastructure is one of the key aspects of any firm and hence needs to be in context with the business requirement and the discussed paper has offered networking solution that is compatible with the business requirement of Tobias Estate.

• Kadiri, H., 2016. Remote Desktop Services Windows Server 2012 R2: Design, Deployment and Management (Volume 1).
• López, G.R., Guamán, D.S. and Caiza, J.C., 2015. Vulnerabilidades y Seguridad de Windows Server 2012. Enfoque UTE, 6(3), pp.36-51.
• Xu, Z.X., 2016. Practices to Administration of Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2. Memory, 4, p.64.
• Wallis, K. and Reich, C., 2016. Secure Zero Configuration of IoT Devices-A Survey. BW-CAR| SINCOM, 59.
• Thomas, O., 2017. Windows Server 2016 Inside Out (includes Current Book Service). Microsoft Press.
• Rong, L. and Tang, G., International Business Machines Corp, 2018. Multi-tenant aware dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) mechanism for cloud networking. U.S. Patent 9,887,961.
• Palmer, M., 2017. Hands-On Microsoft Windows Server 2016. Cengage Learning.
• Krause, J., 2015. Windows Server 2012 R2 Administrator Cookbook. Packt Publishing Ltd.