Is There A practical application for using a router as a DHCP server?

[hfakoor222]

There are of course many labs that emulate routers as DHCP servers.

In the real world is there any practical use to configure nodes as DHCP servers or 'relay' points to potentially distribute addresses faster or for added security or anything similar?

Do network engineers ever employ setting up remote DHCP in the field piggy backing off of a main server, and if so would cisco routers come into play?

Thanks

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

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@hfakoor222 wrote:

Is There A practical application for using a router as a DHCP server?

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Yes.

There is over a billion routers worldwide that is also acting as a DHCP server.  

[marce1000]

 - In general I advice against routers or switches being used as DHCP servers, because of possible race conditions in network servicing/services. Meaning for instance the device could 'block' on DHCP-functions on network surge. Better is to use DHCP server on another platform.

 M.

[Joseph W. Doherty]

The only "real-world" case, where I've used a router or switch as a DHCP server is when you don't have a "true" DHCP server.

This is more likely to be the case in very small businesses.

[Georg Pauwen]

Hello,

the link below has quite a good explanation I think:

Advantages: Best suited for satellite location or office connected through low bandwidth connectivity. Installing a Windows DHCP Server or DHCP relay can consume the bandwidth. No addition hardware or software licensing required. Another advanthage is ease of configuration. It can be configured in two ways using the CLI (Command line interface) or SDM (Security Device Manager). SDM provide the GUI interface for your router. And the best part is that CISCO has also included debug commands in their IOS for troubleshooting.

Disadvantage: Will increase the load on the router, as it does the work of a router plus DHCP Server. But for a small network the load is negligible. Best suited for network that support 10 to 15 users.

https://www.experts-exchange.com/articles/4193/Cisco-Router-as-DHCP-server.html