DHCP, Task: Service check-verify that the DHCP server is running automated daily database backup

Task: Service check - verify that the DHCP server is running automated daily database backup

Purpose

On installation, Windows Server 2003 creates a scheduled backup of the DHCP database and transaction logs every 60 minutes. A “backup on shutdown” option may also be enabled on all DHCP servers. These two features make a backup copy of the Dhcp.mdb database, the transaction J*.log files, and registry configuration in DhcpCfg.

In the event of a failure, the order of restore from backup should be the latest 60 minute backup, then the daily backup on external storage, and - worst case - the weekly full system.

The longer the interval between the last backup and a failure, the less likely a suitable restore can be done. This automated backup should be checked to ensure that a fresh copy is made on a regular basis.

Procedure 1: Using Netsh and command line

1. Open a command shell by clicking Start, then Run, typing cmd and clicking OK.
2. Enter the Netsh command:
   

   netsh dhcp server \\<servername> show 	dbproperties

3. Check that the following results map to the intended configuration. For example:
   

   DatabaseBackupInterval defaults to 60
   	DatabaseBackupPath defaults to C:\Windows\System32\dhcp\backup

4. Enter the dir command to see if it has a recent date stamp. Windows\System32\dhcp is the default directory for the DHCP service. Change this to the appropriate directory if the default is not followed:
   

   dir %systemroot%\System32\dhcp\backup 
   	dir %systemroot%\System32\dhcp\backup\new

Dependencies

None

Technology Required

Base DHCP Windows Server 2003