How to Set up DHCP Server on Arch Linux

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a crucial service for any network, as it automatically assigns IP addresses and other network configuration information to devices connected to the network. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of how to set up DHCP server on Arch Linux. Let’s get started!

Prerequisites

Before we dive into setting up the DHCP server, ensure that you have the following:

An Arch Linux system with a static IP address
Root or sudo privileges

How to Set up DHCP Server on Arch Linux

Update Your System

First, ensure your Arch Linux system is up to date by running the following command:

sudo pacman -Syu

Install the DHCP Package on Arch Linux

Install the ISC DHCP server package by executing:

sudo pacman -S dhcp

Configure the DHCP Server on Arch Linux

After installing the DHCP server package, you need to configure it. Open the /etc/dhcpd.conf configuration file with your favorite text editor:

sudo vim /etc/dhcpd.conf

Add the following configuration to the file, making sure to replace {subnet}, {netmask}, {range_start}, {range_end}, {broadcast}, {routers}, and {dns_servers} with the appropriate values for your network:

subnet {subnet} netmask {netmask} {
  range {range_start} {range_end};
  option broadcast-address {broadcast};
  option routers {routers};
  option domain-name-servers {dns_servers};
}

For example:

subnet 192.168.1.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 {
  range 192.168.1.100 192.168.1.200;
  option broadcast-address 192.168.1.255;
  option routers 192.168.1.1;
  option domain-name-servers 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4;
}

Save and close the file.

Configure the DHCP Server Interface on Linux

Next, you need to specify the network interface that the DHCP server will listen on. Open the /etc/conf.d/dhcpd file:

sudo vim /etc/conf.d/dhcpd

Add the following line, replacing {interface} with the appropriate network interface name:

DHCPD_ARGS="{interface}"

For example:

DHCPD_ARGS="enp0s3"

Save and close the file.

Enable and Start the DHCP Server on Linux

Enable the DHCP server to start automatically at boot:

sudo systemctl enable dhcpd.service

Start the DHCP server:

sudo systemctl start dhcpd.service

Verify that the DHCP server is running:

sudo systemctl status dhcpd.service

Configure the Firewall

If you have a firewall running on your Arch Linux system, you need to allow DHCP traffic. Check out our guide on how to configure the firewall on Arch Linux for detailed instructions.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully set up a DHCP server on Arch Linux. This will allow you to manage IP addresses on your network automatically, making it easier to add new devices and maintain the network.

If you’re interested in learning more about managing an Arch Linux server, check out these articles: