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        DatabaseName, DatabasePath and DHCP Server

Section(s): DHCP and DNS, Admin , Network, Admin
Published on Jan 14, 2010.
Last Modified on May 31, 2009.
Last Modified by Nirmal Sharma.
Rating: Not Rated

This article explains the DatabaseName and DatabasePath registry entries of DHCP Server.

By default, DHCP Server uses DHCP.MDB file as its database to store Scope, lease information and server options settings. When DHCP Server starts, it always checks the database name by querying the following registry entry:

KEY Name: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\DHCPServer
Entry Name: DatabaseName
Value: Name_of_the_database (dhcp.mdb)

DHCP Server always checks the above registry entry and one more registry entry at the same location to know the path where it can search the DHCP.MDB file. The registry entry name is DatabasePath at the same registry entry location.

When DHCP Server starts, it:

Checks the DatabasePath registry entry to know the DHCP Database path on the local system
Next queries the DatabaseName to know which file to look into path specified by DatabasePath registry entry

Note: The Dhcp.mdb must be in the path specified by the DatabasePath registry entry. The default DHCP Database path is Systemroot \System32\dhcp

About Nirmal Sharma

Nirmal is a Microsoft MVP in Directory Services and working as a Technical Architect/Consultant. He has been involved in Microsoft Technologies since 1994 and followed the progression of Microsoft Operating Systems and software. He is specialized in Directory Services, Microsoft Clustering, SQL, MOM, Exchange and Citrix. In his spare time, he likes to help others and write "internal" technical articles, white papers and tips on various Microsoft technologies. You can contact him at nirmal_sharma@mvps.org.