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My setup is a modem running in bridge mode into to an 8 port switch. I have a router but am interested in trying out a computer as a DHCP server instead. Does the computer acting as a DHCP server have to be connected directly to the modem? Or can the hierarchy go: Modem >> 8 Port Switch >> DHCP Server >> 8 Port Switch (Through same network card) >> Network

Again I am completely new to this, it seems like I would have to have two network cards on my DHCP server computer and connect it directly to the modem and then to the 8 port switch. For the sake of time I'd rather not install the second network card which is why this question arose.

Finally, I have a web server connected to the 8 port switch. If the DHCP server comes first, how can I forward the necessary ports to my internal web server? Is there a type of software that allows me to do this or does it come with the DHCP server. (The computer runs ubuntu linux.)

Thanks for your input!

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Sorry but this is very basic System Administration material; to the point where you must not be a Professional System Administrator (as required by the FAQ). You're question may be better suited for Super User or Unix & Linux. – Chris S♦ Jan 10 at 15:14
I think you're over-complicating things here - just setup a DHCP server and plug into switch, same way as you would a workstation. Port-forwarding will be taken care of on the router itself. – kafka Jan 10 at 15:14
@kafka he's talking about removing the router... And seems to think a DHCP server has something to do with routing. – Chris S♦ Jan 10 at 15:15

closed as off topic by Chris S♦ Jan 10 at 15:13

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2 Answers

up vote 0 down vote

You don't need two network cards - you can have the DHCP server attached to the switch if you want. You just have to be careful that your DHCP leases don't go outside your own network. That's usually the reason for a DHCP server being "inline" between a modem and a switch - the DHCP server is then configured to only serve addresses on the internal network, guaranteeing that nothing goes out to or beyond the modem.

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up vote 0 down vote

A DHCP server is not a router. It's not something that your network flows through. It's just a bit of software that gives out IP addresses based on your settings.

I suggest that you look around on the net for some documentation that will help you understand this further, as DHCP is sysadmin ABC.

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