OS X DHCP Server not serving IP Addresses

[dp3049]

Hi folks,

I have OS X server (5.4) running on a mac mini, running High Sierra 10.13.2. I have configured DHCP server with start, end, subnet, interface, gateway and DNS settings, and configured a couple of static leases for some clients. Too easy, although I wish you could just cut and paste MAC addresses when configuring static leases! (is there a way to bulk load them?) I then turn on the DHCP server. I turn off the DHCP server on my router. Request a new DHCP lease from a client ... and ... nothing.
I then checked access settings on the OS X server and configured Access for any user, from any network for ports UDP 67 and 68 for the DHCP service. Still ... nothing.
I then turned off firewall altogether, ... and ... nothing.
I checked that pf was not active, still ... nothing.

Any further suggestions, please?

kind regards,

Dave.

 

[belvdr]

Are you able to take a network trace (i.e. tcpdump or wireshark) from the server? From there, you'll be able to see if the packets are making it to your server and, if your server is responding.

I'm not familiar with the DHCP server in macOS, but some systems require you to activate the pool.

 

[DJLC]

These are probably stupid questions, but just to be sure....

Is the DHCP server on the same subnet as the clients?
Is the router on the same subnet as the DHCP scope you configured?
Is the Mac Mini connected to the network via Ethernet?

Barring a DHCP configuration issue, there's something stopping broadcast packets on the network from making it to the Mini. That said, I wouldn't necessarily recommend using macOS Server for DHCP... but maybe that's just me. I don't trust macOS Server for anything that truly matters.

 

[dp3049]

Thanks DJLC, answers to your questions are: yes, yes, and yes. I'm yet to look at belvdr's suggestion - I need a couple of hours to set up, run and analyse a packet trace, maybe later today. It's become less of a need now as I bought a new router and it's doing everything very well. I just wanted to keep network server functions agnostic of the router.

 

[dp3049]

Well... what I thought was a reasonable idea of maintaining network server functions on my mac server - regular backups via time machine, VPN services, DHCP, portable and survivable across router upgrades, etc. is dying ... along with MacOS server. https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/01/29/farewell_to_macos_server/
Oh well, it was a nice idea. Maybe I deploy Linux to my mac mini now???