Overview

Tiny DHCP Server is a simplistic, yet extremely useful application that sets up a DHCP service on your network. It supports up to 64 different network adapters simultaneously, and despite being extremely compact, it is surprisingly feature-rich.

Installation

With an incredibly small file size of only about 100 kB, Tiny DHCP Server downloads and installs almost instantaneously, and is compatible with all known versions of Windows. It should be noted that you may need to run the install/setup file with administrative rights by right clicking it and selecting "Run As Administrator."

Interface

The Tiny DHCP Server interface is about as simple as it can get, with nothing more than the necessary fields needed to set up a network configuration. With a detailed help file that explains how to configure each setting, even the most novice users should be able to use this software to manage a network of clients with ease. Adding a new network configuration profile is as simple as clicking the "Add New" button in the bottom left corner. In the bottom right corner there is a comment box, where you can add notes about each profile to simplify your job as an administrator.

Pros

• Gives you the ability to configure client computers using a variety of parameters, including IP address, subnet mask, domain name, host name, gateway, DNS server details, WINS server details, node type, and lease time.

• Can act as a DNS proxy server, as it has the ability to cache DNS requests from client computers. This feature is particularly useful because it decreases the amount of time that websites take to load by temporarily storing downloaded information for easy reloading

• Gives administrators the ability to assign IP addresses to specific domains, and these settings can be applied to all client computers instantaneously

• Administrators can also block network users from accessing specific websites by blacklisting them from the network hosts file

• Regularly updated and available for free permanent use

• Self-explanatory interface requires minimal preferential adjustments from the user (other than changing the required fields).

• Extensive help documentation and user support makes it easy for anyone to use Tiny DHCP Server successfully

• Lets you add a custom comment/note to each client profile to help facilitate simplified administration

Cons

• Lacks the advanced features seen in paid network management suites

Alternatives

Tiny DHCP Server is certainly not the only free DHCP server available, as popular alternatives include Open DHCP Server, Free DHCP Server, and . Being that all of these software serve a similar purpose, there aren't many differences between them, however Tiny DHCP Server is unique in that it is far more compact and simplistic than the aforementioned competitors.

Conclusion

If you're looking for an easy way to set up, manage, and configure a network of DHCP clients, Tiny DHCP Server is perhaps the best software you can install. However, if you're in search of more advanced network administration features, you may need to look elsewhere.