Configuring a Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 DHCP Server for Unicast (161429)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
This article was previously published under Q161429

SUMMARY

By default, the Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 DHCP server sends all DHCP responses as IP broadcasts to the limited broadcast address (255.255.255.255). However, the DHCP server can be configured to unicast responses if the client request specifies that a broadcast response is not required.

MORE INFORMATION

Versions of the DHCP server prior to Windows NT 4.0 ignored the broadcast flag in client DHCP packets, and broadcast all replies. Version 4.0 of the DHCP server supports unicasting via the following registry parameter:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \CurrentControlSet \Services \DHCPServer \Parameters \IgnoreBroadcastFlag

Parameter Type: REG_DWORD
Default: 1
Description: If set to 1, the broadcast flag in client requests is ignored, and all DHCP packets are broadcast from the server. If set to 0, the behavior (whether to broadcast or not) is controlled by the broadcast flag in the client request that is being responded to.

The Networks.wri file also contains a description of this parameter.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/9/2002
Keywords:kbnetwork KB161429
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.