Setting up a DHCP server on AIX

The following examples show DHCP server setup on an AIX management server.

Installing the DHCP server fileset on AIX

Since DHCP and bootp use the same port, they cannot both run on an AIX management server. The DHCP server fileset is packaged with the bos.net.tcp.server AIX fileset and is installed by the AIX operating system installation. To verify DHCP installation, enter:

lslpp -w /etc/dhcpsd.cnf

Output should be similar to:

File              Fileset              Type
-------------------------------------------
/etc/dhcpsd.cnf bos.net.tcp.server File

Setting up DHCP on a non-NIM server

To set up a DHCP server on an AIX management server that is not a NIM server:

  1. Configure the DHCP server configuration file by running:
    tail -50 /etc/dhcpsd.cnf
    leaseTimeDefault 0xffffffff
    leaseExpireInterval 1 year
    supportBOOTP yes
    supportUnlistedClients yes
    network 30.0.0.0 255.255.255.0
    { #This network is used for SPs, BPAs and HMCs
    option 51 0xffffffff
    subnet 30.0.0.0 30.0.0.51-30.0.0.150
    }
  2. Configure an Ethernet interface on the CSM management server. For example:
    chdev -l en1 -a netaddr='30.0.0.1' -a netmask='255.255.255.0' \
    -a state='up'
    After configuring the Ethernet interface on CSM management server, verify the interface:
    netstat -in
    Output should be similar to:
    Name Mtu   Network  Address         Ipkts Ierrs Opkts Oerrs  Coll
    en0 1500 link#2 0.1.22.6c.6d.c8 865867837 0 358343036 0 0
    en0 1500 9.111.11 9.111.11.1 865867837 0 358343036 0 0
    en1 1500 link#3 0.1.22.b9.36.e 5064631 0 1575938 0 0
    en1 1500 30 30.0.0.1 5064631 0 1575938 0 0
    lo0 16896 link#1 17395186 0 18161794 0 0
    lo0 16896 127 127.0.0.1 17395186 0 18161794 0 0
    lo0 16896 ::1 17395186 0 18161794 0 0
  3. Start up DHCP server on the AIX management server. For example:
    startsrc -s dhcpsd
  4. Verify that the DHCP server has started correctly:
    lssrc -ls dhcpsd | more 
    Log File: /usr/tmp/dhcpsd.log
    Log Level: 0x806
    Client Expire Interval: 3600
    Reserve Expire Interval: 900
    Bad Addr Reclaim Interval: 4294967295
    Database Save Interval: 3600
    Output should be similar to:
    IP Address  Status  Duration  Time  Stamp   Client ID
    ---------- ------ -------- ----- ------- ---------
    30.0.0.51 Leased Infinite Apr 4 16:27 1-000d600b6297
    30.0.0.52 Leased Infinite Apr 4 16:25 1-000d600b78f3
    30.0.0.53 Leased Infinite Apr 4 15:30 1-a2e260017002
    30.0.0.54 Leased Infinite Apr 4 13:08 1-a2e260004002
    30.0.0.55 Leased Infinite Apr 4 12:06 1-a2e260005002
    30.0.0.56 Leased Infinite Apr 4 12:04 1-a2e260006002
    30.0.0.57 Free
    30.0.0.58 Free
    30.0.0.59 Free

Setting up DHCP on a NIM server

To set up a DHCP server on an AIX management server that is a NIM server:

  1. Combining a DHCP server and a NIM master on one server requires that DHCP handle bootp requests and responses. You must first stop the bootp daemon so that the dhcpsd daemon can bind to the port, as follows:
    ps -ef | grep bootp
    kill the bootp process
  2. Stop bootp from restarting by commenting out the following line in the /etc/inetd.conf file:
    #bootps dgram udp wait root /usr/sbin/bootpd bootpd /etc/bootptab 
  3. Stop and restart the inetd subsystem, as follows:
    refresh -s inetd
  4. List the NIM network objects that must be included in DHCP configuration file, as follows:
    lsnim -l m3_net  
    m3_net:
    class = networks
    type = ent
    Nstate = ready for use
    prev_state = ready for use
    net_addr = 9.111.111.0
    snm = 255.255.255.224
    routing1 = default 9.111.111.30
  5. Modify the DHCP configuration file for service network and bootp requests, as follows:
    tail -50 /etc/dhcpsd.cnf
    leaseTimeDefault 0xffffffff
    leaseExpireInterval 1 year
    supportUnlistedClients yes
    network 30.0.0.0 255.255.255.0
    { #This network is used for SPs, BPAs and HMCs
    option 51 0xffffffff
    subnet 30.0.0.0 30.0.0.51-30.0.0.150
    }
    network 9.111.111.0 255.255.255.224
    {
    #This network is used as NIM m3_net network
    subnet 9.111.111.0 9.111.111.1-9.111.111.12
    {
    option 1 255.255.255.224 #Netmask
    option 3 9.111.111.30 #Gateway
    option 6 9.111.1.1 #Domain Name Server IP
    }
    }
  6. Start the DHCP server on the AIX management server. For example:
    startsrc -s dhcpsd
  7. Verify that the DHCP server has started correctly:
    lssrc -ls dhcpsd | more 

    Log File: /usr/tmp/dhcpsd.log
    Log Level: 0x806
    Client Expire Interval: 3600
    Reserve Expire Interval: 900
    Bad Addr Reclaim Interval: 4294967295
    Database Save Interval: 3600

    IP Address Status Duration Time Stamp Client ID
    --------------- -------- -------- ----------- ---------
    30.0.0.51 Free
    30.0.0.52 Free
    30.0.0.53 Free
    30.0.0.54 Free
    30.0.0.55 Free
    30.0.0.56 Free

Setting up a DHCP server on an HMC

To set up a DHCP server on an HMC:

  1. Open the HMC GUI.
  2. Customize the Network Configuration.
  3. Select the Ethernet interface that is used for the DHCP server. You must select eth0 to be connected to service network, and this must be the adapter used as the DHCP server on the HMC.
  4. Click on the Details button.
  5. Click on the Enable DHCP server button.
  6. From the pull down window, select the network subnet.
  7. Click OK to finish.