Pros and Cons of having DHCP on L3 switch

[deanwebb]

In my opinion having DHCP in switch is a best hassle free way to provide IP to the systems, i don't think there is no any cons.

In small environments, you are correct. In larger environments, it's not a very manageable arrangement.

[scottsee]

I use to put DHCP on all of the collapsed core deployments I did, mainly 3560/3750 small office IDF's. FYI - Microsoft DHCP requires a CAL for "any" device obtaining a lease. Now a days it all about the Infoblok

[grfgonza]

I have also noticed that with our setup with having our switchs running DHCP. We have issues with the Cisco switchs not releasing IP conflicts. It just holds on to those IPs. It is an easy enough fix. You just have to simply run "#show ip dhcp conflicts" to see if there are any. But this is tough when our IT team consist of just two IT personal for about 1500 devices. To clear the conflicts all one has to do is run "#clear ip dhcp conflict *" and that will resolved the issue. With that being said I've never had this kind of  an issues with a Windows DHCP server. Plus as mentioned before the DHCP server also keeps a record of the IPs used and for security purposes that is a good thing to have. Since this is an issue I plan on discussing having an DHCP server put in place of that with our new tech plan coming up.

[deanwebb]

I have also noticed that with our setup with having our switchs running DHCP. We have issues with the Cisco switchs not releasing IP conflicts. It just holds on to those IPs. It is an easy enough fix. You just have to simply run "#show ip dhcp conflicts" to see if there are any. But this is tough when our IT team consist of just two IT personal for about 1500 devices. To clear the conflicts all one has to do is run "#clear ip dhcp conflict *" and that will resolved the issue. With that being said I've never had this kind of  an issues with a Windows DHCP server. Plus as mentioned before the DHCP server also keeps a record of the IPs used and for security purposes that is a good thing to have. Since this is an issue I plan on discussing having an DHCP server put in place of that with our new tech plan coming up.

True, true. And I've heard more than once - from Cisco, even - not to run their DHCP in production.

[Dieselboy]

I use Windows 2012 Active Directory Domain Controller as redundant DHCP servers so dyn.dns gets updated and it's easy to manage in one place. I have two servers and they serve both offices across VPN. I do this to maintain a "skeleton" network in the remote offices, accelerated via Riverbed. Remote office literally has 1 switch, 1 router, 1 riverbed and some AP's. DR plan for that office is "work from home"

[wintermute000]

80% of enterprise I've seen use AD as the DHCP.

[deanwebb]

80% of enterprise I've seen use AD as the DHCP.

Probably also why Cisco never felt the heat to get its own DHCP game together.