Create a DHCP scope on Windows Server

A DHCP scope is the range of addresses your server hands out, plus the settings each device needs: gateway, DNS servers and domain name.

One DHCP server per network. Turn off DHCP on the router (or your lab's virtual network) before you activate the scope, or devices get clashing addresses. In a live office, do it out of hours and back up the router config first.

Authorise the server

Open Server Manager → Tools → DHCP.
Expand your server. If IPv4 shows a red down arrow, right-click the server name and choose Authorize, then press F5.

Build the scope

Right-click IPv4 → New Scope and click Next.
Name it, for example Staff LAN.
Set the range, for example 192.168.87.100 to 192.168.87.200, length 24.
Skip exclusions unless you have fixed devices inside the range.
Leave the lease at 8 days for office PCs. Use hours for guest Wi-Fi.
Choose Yes, configure these options now.
Router: your gateway, then Add.
DNS: parent domain and your DC's address only. Remove duplicates.
Skip WINS, choose Activate this scope now, then Finish.

Check it worked

On a client PC:

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /all   # DHCP Server should be your DC

Back on the server, Address Leases (press F5) lists the PC.

Options you'll see

Option	Meaning
003 Router	The default gateway
006 DNS Servers	Who the PC asks for names. Must be your DC on a domain
015 DNS Domain Name	Suffix added to short names

If a PC shows 169.254.x.x, no DHCP server answered: check the service, the scope is active and not full, and relay settings on other VLANs.

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