DNS & DHCP Services Lab
Posted
Configured and validated DNS and DHCP infrastructure services in a mixed Windows and Linux lab environment, building foundational network service skills for reliable name resolution, automated IP address management, and cross-platform client connectivity troubleshooting.
Project details
Built forward and reverse DNS lookup zones with properly configured records (A, AAAA, PTR, CNAME, MX), establishing reliable name resolution services that client machines across multiple VLANs could use for both internal resource discovery and external connectivity.
Configured DHCP server scopes with appropriate address ranges, lease durations, and reservation policies to provide automated IP assignment for 50+ mixed client devices, including both Windows and Linux systems operating across different network segments.
Validated DHCP lease lifecycle behavior including initial allocation, renewal timing, and failover scenarios, documenting the troubleshooting steps for common issues such as IP conflicts, scope exhaustion, and relay agent misconfiguration in multi-segment environments.
Tested cross-platform client connectivity to ensure consistent DNS resolution and DHCP address acquisition across Windows and Linux operating systems, verifying that network services functioned correctly regardless of client platform and documenting platform-specific configuration requirements.
Work Context: At Pures College (IT Systems Support and Computer Instructor, 2024–2025), this DNS/DHCP workflow supported practical networking lessons on name resolution, lease behavior, and service troubleshooting.
Current Implementation: I continue validating the same service patterns in my personal lab across segmented environments.
Impact
Case study
Project Summary
Configured and validated DNS and DHCP infrastructure services in a mixed Windows and Linux lab environment, building foundational skills for reliable name resolution, automated IP address management, and cross-platform client connectivity.
Work Context
At Pures College (IT Systems Support and Computer Instructor, 2024–2025), this DNS/DHCP workflow supported practical networking lessons on name resolution, lease behavior, and service troubleshooting. Students configured forward and reverse zones, DHCP scopes, and validated cross-platform connectivity.
Current Implementation
I continue validating the same service patterns in a personal lab across segmented environments, testing lease lifecycle behavior, relay agent configuration, and DNS failover scenarios.
Results and Impact
- DHCP leases managed: 50+
- DNS zones configured: 2 (forward, reverse)
- Client OS platforms validated: 3 (Windows, Linux, VM lab)
Deliverables
- DNS zone configurations with A, AAAA, PTR, CNAME, and MX records
- DHCP scope templates with address ranges, lease durations, and reservation policies
- Cross-platform validation procedures for Windows and Linux client connectivity
Technical Notes
- DHCP lifecycle testing covers initial allocation, renewal timing, and failover scenarios.
- Common troubleshooting: IP conflicts, scope exhaustion, relay agent misconfiguration.
- Platform-specific configuration requirements documented for Windows and Linux clients.