Getting started DHCP Tools start page How To topics start page Error messages start page Read me file start page Help on help start page
 
Index
Main Contents
Getting Started
Introduction
Using the Console
About Solaris DHCP
How To Proceed
DHCP Tools
How To...
Error Messages
Read Me
Getting Help
 

DHCP Management Console
Getting Started

The DHCP Management Console provides an integrated Java-based graphical interface for Solaris DHCP functions that can also be performed from the Solaris command line. Specifically, the tools in the DHCP Management Console provide functions that are analogous to those available from:

  • dhcpconfig -- DHCP service configuration utility
  • dhtadm -- DHCP configuration table management utility
  • pntadm -- DHCP network table management utility
  • in.dhcpd -- DHCP server and BOOTP relay daemon

You can use the DHCP Management Console tools in lieu of, or in combination with, all command-line-based Solaris DHCP functions.

The DHCP Management Console provides several benefits, compared with its command-line counterparts:

  • A convenient, integrated "point-and-click" interface for the Solaris DHCP server's most sophisticated functions.

  • A graphical view of the relationships between dhcptab macros and symbols, making it easier for you to determine where to place symbol values for the most efficient client configurations.

  • A DHCP Client Simulator that lets you verify your macro and symbol configurations, and test and troubleshoot the results of different symbol ordering schemes in your macros.

Of course, the command-line utilities are still useful for creating shell scripts for batch-processing administrative tasks.


Using the Console

The DHCP Management Console provides a common starting point for running four Solaris DHCP management tools.

DHCP Management Tools
Server and Relay Agents Manage pre-configured DHCP servers and BOOTP relay agents.
Network Tables Configure and manage DHCP network tables and client records in dhcp_network.
Client Configurations Specify and manage DHCP macros and symbols in dhcptab.
Client Simulator Show configuration information that would be passed to a specified client type; useful for illustrating and troubleshooting relationships between macros and symbol values in dhcptab.

Click the button representing the Tool you want to run. For the Table, Client, and Simulator tools, first select the DHCP server on which you would like to perform DHCP management tasks from the Selected Server for Shortcuts drop-down list.

You can also start any of the tools from any of the other tools' Tools menu.


About Solaris 2.6 DHCP

The Solaris 2.6 DHCP server (in.dhcpd) provides robust DHCP services for DHCP and BOOTP clients. One of the most significant strengths of the Solaris 2.6 DHCP implementation is the flexibility it allows in the assignment of macros and symbol definitions to every phase of dynamic client configuration.

The illustration below provides a high-level description of the DHCP/BOOTP client boot process, including macro processing, under Solaris 2.6 DHCP:

In the illustration:

  1. A DHCP/BOOTP client initiates a DHCP request.

  2. An available DHCP server accepts the request and initiates the DHCP allocation process:

    1. An available IP address is found in the dhcp_network database and assigned to the client.

    2. Symbol values in the Client Class macro (platform/OS) are located in the server's dhcptab database are bundled and passed to the next stage.

    3. Symbol values in the Network macro (client network) in dhcptab are bundled and passed to the next stage.

    4. Symbol values in the IP Address macro (server-specific) in dhcptab are bundled and passed to the next stage.

    5. Symbol values in the Client ID macro (unique to client; for example, Ethernet/MAC ID) in dhcptab are bundled and passed to the next stage.

  3. All symbol values are bundled together, along with the IP address assigned by the DHCP server, and passed back to the DHCP client.

  4. The client completes the boot process, using the IP address and symbol values passed from the DHCP server.

Refer to the help pages for the Client Configurations Tool for more information about macros and symbols.


How To Proceed

or
  1. Select the name of an existing DHCP server upon which you want to perform a management function.

  2. Choose the DHCP management Tool you want to use.