dhcpsconf Command

Purpose

Simplifies DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server configuration through a Graphical User Interface.

Syntax

dhcpsconf

Description

The dhcpsconf command brings up an X-windows GUI (Graphical User Interface) that lets the network administrator read, save, and modify configuration files. It also lets you start, stop, and retrieve statistics from a running server.

The dhcpsconf command displays a set of lists. The lists on the left show the available options and keys. The dhcpsconf command reads the /etc/options.file to determine its basic options and keys and starts with these as generic resource types. The GUI lets the network administrator define a set of named resources by selecting the resource menu button.

The resource definition dialog box lets the network administrator generate all the options and specifics that are on the networks. The network administrator can define and name the network, printers, name servers, dhcp servers, and other valid resource objects. Once this is done, these new resources are added to the key and option display on the main panel. These can be used to generate a server configuration file or set of server configuration files.

The GUI starts with an empty master file. A master file may contain either a single server or the definition of many servers and one actual server readable file. The master file is readable by one DHCP server, but multiple server information can be stored in it. This lets the network administrator configure a single server image of the network, create a set of servers to handle the same set of data, and view and maintain it all in one file.

Options and keys are added to the server window by selecting the key or option, selecting where in the edit window the option or key should go, and selecting the add button corresponding to the key or option section. The option is added to the edit window at the position specified. If the item is a named resource, then it is added as is. If the item is one of the standard defaults, then a window requesting a value for the item appears.

DHCP servers are added just like other keys, except that they specify machines in the network that will be responsible for the items within their scope. The keys have scoping and syntactic ordering. Comments are not really keys, but they are allowed anywhere.

A server may have a network, class, client, or options specified within it. A network may have a subnet, class, client, or option. A subnet may have a class, client, or options. A class and client may only have options.

The servers have a set of configuration parameters that only apply to them. These are specified by the DHCP server key in the key list, or by using the default server options under the Server menu bar. The default server options apply to the master file. A DHCP Server specified within the master file receives the default options, but may be modified.

Any item placed in the Edit window may be edited, renamed, viewed, or deleted. This lets you place an item, see if it looks appropriate and make changes as necessary.

Upon completion of the configuration file, a single master file may be saved and/or a set of server files may be generated. The File menu button and server menu button both have save options. The File save button is for saving the master file. The Server save button is for saving a particular server to a file.

The File menu button also contains a quit option, an open option to retrieve a file, and a new option to erase everything created so far.

The Operations menu button contains a status button, a start button, a stop button, a refresh, and a send configuration file button. From these buttons, a remote server can report status, refresh itself with a new configuration file, may be stopped, and a configuration sent and restarted.

The Help button contains a set of help statements describing each of the windows items.

Exit Status

This command returns the following exit values:

Security

Access Control: Any User

Files