DHCP Server on MS Switches Feature Request - Add a wish please

[BrothersTM]

Currently my DHCP server is a role added to a server.  I'd like to get DHCP down to the L3 switch at each site.  The problem I have is with my wired interfaces at each school site (not the BOE since the WDS/PXE server is on the same subnet and already hear's the DHCP requests on that subnet), I can't run a DHCP server on an interface and also forward those DHCP packets to the PXE server using an IP helper/relay.  Current setup is that interface is set to relay to the server ip that has the role added as well as the WDS/PXE server.  Works great, but I would like to get DHCP off the server and onto my Meraki L3 at each school site.

I've added this feature as a wish.

If you don't mind, please submit a wish in your dashboard for the ability to add a DHCP server to an interface, but also forward those DHCP packets to another server using an IP helper/relay for the main purpose of PXE booting images across the WAN to a WDS server.

I know this can also be done using DHCP options 66/67, but it is not the recommended practice by MS when using WDS for deploying images.  The preferred method is to use the IP helper/relay option on that particular interface.

Thanks for taking the time to make the wish and hopefully it'll get added soon.  One more little drop down and a text field for entering IP addresses couldn't be that hard for the great minds at Meraki to add.

[Adam]

I may not be understanding this but as long as you have a layer 3 switch can't you go to Switch>'Routing and DHCP' then select the interface or create an interface and run a DHCP server from it?and turn on the DHCP server feature?

[BrothersTM]

Thanks, but I may not have explained it well enough.  You are correct, that's all you have to do in order to add a dhcp server ONLY to an interface, but I also need that interface to forward DHCP packets using a relay/helper to the PXE/WDS server.  Basically the first option and the second option built into the first option as an additional drop down.  But you can only choose one or the other.

[Uberseehandel]

PXE booting with WDS – DHCP Scope vs IP Helpers 

[BrothersTM]

Thanks.  I've read that article before too.  It's a good read.  Exactly why I'd like to see a helper option added when running a DHCP server on an interface.  Currently, you can only run one or the other....server or relay.

[m00ndogg]

Hi guys,

I don't see the "Run a DHCP server" option in my drop down list.

Do I need to enable L3 in a different screen first?

I'm using an MS220-8P

[MRCUR]

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@m00ndogg wrote:

Hi guys,

I don't see the "Run a DHCP server" option in my drop down list.

Do I need to enable L3 in a different screen first?

I'm using an MS220-8P

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The MS220 line does not support running a DHCP server. 

[m00ndogg]

I was afraid that you'd say that...

Thanks for the info!

[MRCUR]

I know you mentioned MS not wanting to use options 66/67, but have you tried this? I'm not sure there is any real reason why it wouldn't work. 

[BrothersTM]

I have used it before and it does work, but just as MS states, at times the client will ignore the response.  That's why MS prefers use of IP helpers/relays.

[Adam]

Aren't the helper/relays usually on downstream switches to help there know where to look for the DHCP server?

[MRCUR]

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@Adamwrote:

Aren't the helper/relays usually on downstream switches to help there know where to look for the DHCP server?

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I think typically you'd put the helper IP's on the L3 switch for the network. The edge switches don't need to know about them.