Re: DHCP server command and control

[Erikas Aras Napjus <[e-mail]>]

> We operate a very large intranet using DHCP servers.  For both high 
> reliability and low response time the servers are configured as 
> primary-secondary pairs.  As the size of our intranet has grown, the 
> difficulty of managing the servers has also increased.  We currently
> operate a command and control process, separate from the servers
> themselves, that  runs on the same platform with a particular set of access
> controls.  While we could expand the capabilities and range of access
> controls to accommodate different groups of operators, managers, support
> personnel, and administrators, we wonder if our DHCP servers could be
> monitored and controlled via SNMP.

Indeed, we have often thought along the same lines. This lead to the
integration of an SNMP agent in the CMU DHCP server. The package also
comes with a command line query program to gather information from the
DHCP server. We've also envisioned an interactive monitor process for
monitoring things via SNMP, but haven't gotten to that stage of
development yet.

> Several months ago I recall seeing a single mention of a purported MIB for 
> DHCP servers.  If my memory is correct, could the author of that note
> update me on the current state of the work?  If I am imagining all of this,
> are there other people who are interested in defining a command and control
> repertoire for DHCP servers?

We have a MIB for our server which is far from perfect, but potentially
a good start if no one else has ventured into this arena. I was hoping
to move toward a making a draft on the MIB at some point in the future,
but staffing issues have held things up for a little while. I have a
copy of the MIB if anyone wants to see it, though.

--- Erikas