Packet Tracer 8.2 tutorial - DHCP configuration

: Last Updated: 23 March 2025

Introduction

DHCP service is a key component of your network infrastructure by allowing centralized ip address management on a single pool of servers. DHCP configuration is also part of CCNA and CCNP Enterprise certification curricula. This skill can be tested in lab environnement during exams ans it's important for students to get used to DHCP configuration before taking the exam.

Packet Tracer 8.2 implements two methods for setting up a DHCP server in your network :

Configuration of DHCP pools on Cisco routers or multlayer switches.
Configuration of a standalone DHCP server appliance on the network and usage of the "ip helper-address" command on network devices for DHCP traffic forwarding outside each local broadcast domain. This tutorial will describe this method for implementing DHCP service in your network.

DHCP server and DHCP client sould be in the same vlan to be able to communicate as the initial DHCP discover is a layer 2 broadcast packet to ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff MAC address. Cisco routers and layer 3 switches are able to act as DHCP relay and forward DHCP requests to a DHCP server located in another VLAN : a single DHCP server can now be deployed to deliver IP addresses to many subnet.

Tutorial description

This tutorial will show you how to configure dynamic IP address assignment on multiple VLAN with a unique DHCP server appliance on the network.

Two VLANs are configured on Switch0 with Router0 as default gateway :

VLAN 10 - Nework : 192.168.10.0/24 - Gateway : 192.168.10.1 (FA 0/0.10)
VLAN 20 - Network : 192.168.20.0/24 - Gateway : 192.168.20.1 (FA 0/0.20)

The unique DHCP server is located on a remote subnet with IP 172.16.24.2.

DHCP lab overview on cisco packet tracer 7.3

DHCP configuration

Declare IP address pools on the DHCP management tab of the server like on the picture below. One pool has to be declared for each VLAN. Don't forget to configure the right network settings and default gateway (Router0 FA 0/0.10 and FA 0.0.20 IP address) for each VLAN.

DHCP server configuration in cisco packet tracer 8.0

Configure router0 for DHCP forwarding to the DHCP server (DHCP relay)

The ip helper-address <IP address> configures DHCP request forwarding to the configured <IP address> DHCP server.

Router(config)# interface FastEthernet0/0.10
Router(config-subif)# encapsulation dot1Q 10
Router(config-subif)# ip address 192.168.10.1 255.255.255.0
Router(config-subif)# ip helper-address 172.16.24.2

Router(config)# interface FastEthernet0/0.20
Router(config-subif)# encapsulation dot1Q 20
Router(config-subif)# ip address 192.168.20.1 255.255.255.0
Router(config-subif)# ip helper-address 172.16.24.2