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dhcpd – Runs the DHCP server

dhcpd - Runs the DHCP server

dhcpd is a Linux command that runs the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server. The DHCP server is responsible for assigning IP addresses and other network configuration parameters to devices on a network. This command is typically used by Linux system administrators to manage and configure DHCP servers.

Overview

The dhcpd command is used to start the DHCP server daemon. The daemon listens for DHCP requests from clients and responds by assigning IP addresses and other network configuration parameters.

The configuration file for the DHCP server is typically located at /etc/dhcp/dhcpd.conf. This file contains the configuration options for the DHCP server, such as the IP address range to be used for DHCP assignments, the subnet mask, the default gateway, and DNS servers.

To start the DHCP server, run the following command:

sudo dhcpd

By default, the dhcpd command will use the configuration file located at /etc/dhcp/dhcpd.conf. If you have a different configuration file that you would like to use, you can specify the path to the configuration file with the -cf option:

sudo dhcpd -cf /path/to/dhcpd.conf

Options

The following table lists the available options for the dhcpd command:

Option Description
-f Run the DHCP server in the foreground
-d Increase the debug level
-q Decrease the debug level
-t Test the configuration file for syntax errors
-cf Use a specific configuration file
-lf Use a specific lease file
-pf Use a specific PID file
-p Use a specific UDP port

Troubleshooting tips

If you are having trouble with the dhcpd command, there are a few common issues that you can check for:

  • Configuration file errors: Make sure that your configuration file is valid and does not contain any syntax errors. You can use the -t option to test your configuration file for syntax errors.
  • Permission errors: Make sure that the user running the dhcpd command has the necessary permissions to access the configuration file and lease file.
  • Firewall issues: Make sure that your firewall is not blocking DHCP traffic on the UDP port used by the DHCP server. By default, the DHCP server uses UDP port 67.

Notes

  • The dhcpd command is typically run as a system service, which means that it is automatically started when the system boots up. You can use your distribution’s service management tools to start, stop, and manage the DHCP server service.
  • The DHCP server can be used to assign IP addresses to a variety of devices, including computers, smartphones, tablets, and other network-connected devices.
  • The DHCP server can also be used to assign other network configuration parameters, such as subnet masks, default gateways, and DNS servers.

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