7.1 Using the Java Management Console to Manage DHCP (OES Linux)

This section provides details on using the Java Management Console for DHCP (OES Linux) to manage objects in eDirectory.

IMPORTANT:Make a forced exit from Java Management console if you observe any of the following three scenarios:

  • Unable to reach eDirectory after establishing a connection.

  • If there is any network interruption.

  • Viewing of leases takes more time than usual.

7.1.1 Installing Java Management Console

Install the Java Management Console on client computers to administer DNS and DHCP services.

Installing Java Console on Windows

  1. Download Java Console for windows from the Client Software Link in the welcome page.

    The filename for 32-bit Windows is DNSDHCP_SA.zip and for 64-bit Windows is DNSDHCP_SA-x64.zip.

    NOTE:You can view the Welcome Page by using http://IP_or_DNS/welcome to access the server.

  2. After downloading the required file, extract or unzip the files.

  3. For 32-bit windows, run setup.exe from the extracted files. Follow the on-screen instructions. The InstallShield guides you through the rest of the setup process.

    For 64-bit windows, launch Java Console using the DNSDHCP.exe file in the unzipped folder.

    NOTE:Java Console is not supported on Windows XP SP3 64-bit platform.

IMPORTANT:Java Runtime Environment (JRE 1.5 or later) is required for running Java Console on Windows. Download JRE from the web if it is not available on your Windows.

Installing Java Console on Linux

  1. Download Java Console for Linux appropriately from the Client Software Link in the welcome page.

    The zip file name for 32-bit linux is dnsdhcp-jc-i586.tar.gz and for 64-bit linux is dhsdhcp-jc-x86_64.tar.gz

  2. After downloading the required file, untar these files using the tar -xzvf <filename> command.

  3. The appropriate RPMs for these files are untarred. The 32-bit RPM is novell-dnsdhcp-jc-1.0.1-0.6.i586.rpm and the 64-bit RPM is novell-dnsdhcp-jc-1.0.1-0.6.x86_64.rpm.

  4. Install the Java Console with the rpm -ivh <rpm name> command.

Starting Java Console

Starting the Console on Windows: Double-click the dnsdhcp icon on the desktop or click Start > All Programs > DNS-DHCP Management Console > DNSDHCP to launch the login window.

Starting the Console on Linux (Gnome): In Gnome, double-click the in Computer > Applications > More Applications > DNSDHCP to launch the login window.

Starting the Console on Linux (KDE): In KDE, double-click the icon in System > Network > DNSDHCP Management Console.

Logging in to Java Console

  1. Launch the Java Console login window. The following window is displayed for Windows:

    A similar login window is displayed for Linux.

  2. Specify the IP address of the server in the Server Address field.

  3. Specify the User Name and Password to log in to this server.

  4. For a secured login, select the Use SSL check box.

  5. (Optional) Click Add to specify the command line options in the Parameters field.

Command Line Options

The following are the command line options that can be specified while launching the Java Management console:

Table 7-1 Command Line Options

Option

Use

-c

Specifies the context in which the DNS/DHCP locator object is present. When you use this option, you can eliminate the search for the DNS/DHCP Locator object and obtain a quicker startup for the DNS/DHCP Java Management Console.

For example, if the context in which the locator object is present is ou=wgp,o=novell, then using -c option you can specify the following: -c ou=wgp,o=novell.

-c ou=wgp,o=novell

The -c option is used to specify the netware tree context in which the locator object is present.

-s

Limits the administrative scope of the DNS Java Management console. If you manage only objects under the ctp.novell context, you can set the option as –s ctp.novell and launch the Management Console. With this option set, you can view only those DNS objects that are under the ctp.novell eDirectory context.

Using this option might improve the server performance because not all DNS objects are read. If you do not set this option, all the DNS objects in the tree are displayed.

-l

Specifies the Locator context. The -l option is used to specify the linux tree context in which locator object is present.

For example, if the context in which the locator object is present is ou=wgp,o=novell, then using -l option you can specify the following: -l ou=wgp,o=novell.

-l ou=wgp,o=novell

-p

Specifies the Port.

7.1.2 Service Management

The Service object acts as a container object for subnet, shared network, host, zone, class, and TSIG key.

To create a service

  1. Click the DHCP (OES Linux) tab of Java Management Console window main panel.

  2. Click Create on the toolbar to open the Create New DHCP Object window.

  3. Select Service in the Create New DHCP Object window, then click OK. The Create Service window opens.

  4. Specify the service name.

  5. Specify the eDirectory context or use the browse button to select the context.

  6. Select the default DHCP server from the drop-down list.

  7. Click Create. The DHCP (OES Linux) Service object is created on the left pane of Java Management Console.

You can manage the DHCP (OES Linux) Service on the right pane of the Java Management Console by using the General, Settings, and Configured Options tabs.

For more information on managing objects, see Section 7.1.13, Managing DHCP (OES Linux) Objects in the Java Management Console.

7.1.3 Server Management

The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) uses the client/server structure to allocate network addresses to a host. The DHCP server reads its configuration information from eDirectory and stores the information in its cache.

To create a server

  1. Click the DHCP (OES Linux) tab of the Java Management Console.

  2. Click Create on the toolbar to open the Create New DHCP Object window.

  3. Select DHCP Server in the Create New DHCP Object window, then click OK. The Create Server window opens.

  4. Specify the server name.

  5. Specify the eDirectory context or browse to select the context.

  6. Click Create.

    The server is now created and added to the Default DHCP Server list.

You can manage the DHCP (OES Linux) server on the right pane of the Java Management Console by using the General and Settings tabs.

For more information on managing objects, see Section 7.1.13, Managing DHCP (OES Linux) Objects in the Java Management Console.

7.1.4 Starting or Stopping a DHCP Server

  1. Click Start/Stop Service start on the toolbar.

Depending on the state of the DHCP Server, one of the following operations occurs:

  • Start action: If the DHCP Server is in Stop mode, the Server is started.

  • Stop action: If the DHCP Server is in Start mode, the Server is stopped.

You must ensure that you have configured the IP address of a DHCP server to start or stop the server. To configure the IP address of the DHCP server, select the General tab of the server object, then click Add to specify the IP address.

7.1.5 Shared Network Management

All subnets that share the same physical network can be grouped under a Shared Network object.

To create a shared network object:

  1. Click the DHCP (OES Linux) tab of the Java Management Console.

  2. Select the service for which the shared network needs to be created.

  3. Click Create start on the toolbar to open the Create New DHCP Object window.

  4. Select shared network from the Create New DHCP Object window, then click OK.The Create Shared Network window opens.

  5. Specify the name of the Shared Network object.

  6. Click Create.The Shared Network is now created.

You can manage the DHCP (OES Linux) Shared Network on the right pane of the Java Management Console by using the General, Settings, and Configured Options tabs.

For more information on managing objects, see Section 7.1.13, Managing DHCP (OES Linux) Objects in the Java Management Console.

7.1.6 Subnet Management

The Subnet object is the most fundamental DHCP object. It enables you to distribute IP addresses and DHCP options to each network.

The Subnet object acts as a container object for Host and Pool objects.

A Subnet object's specific DHCP options and configuration parameters apply to the entire subnet and override global options.

To create a Subnet

  1. Click the DHCP (OES Linux) tab of the Java Management Console.

  2. Select the shared network or the service for which the subnet needs to be created.

  3. Click Create start on the toolbar to open the Create New DHCP Object window.

  4. Select Subnet from the Create New DHCP Object window, then click OK.

  5. Specify a unique Subnet Address and Subnet Mask in the fields provided.

  6. Click Create.

    The Subnet is created.

You can manage the DHCP (OES Linux) Subnet on the right pane of the Java Management Console by using the General, Lease, Settings, Configured Options, and IP Address Utilization tabs.

For more information on managing objects, see Section 7.1.13, Managing DHCP (OES Linux) Objects in the Java Management Console.

7.1.7 Pool Management

A Pool is a designated range of IP addresses used to specify a range type assignment.

The Pool object represents a range of addresses for dynamic address assignment or for exclusion from the address assignment.

To create a Pool

  1. Click the DHCP (OES Linux) tab of the Java Management Console.

  2. Select a service or a shared network from the list where you want to create a pool. All of the subnets created under the service and the service or shared network hierarchy are displayed. Select the subnet under which you want to create the pool.

  3. Click Create start on the toolbar to open the Create New DHCP Object window.

  4. Select pool from the Create New DHCP Object window, then click OK. The Create Pool window opens.

  5. Specify the name of the pool.

  6. Specify the Start Address.

  7. Specify the End Address.

  8. Click Create.

    The pool is created.

You can manage the DHCP (OES Linux) Pool on the right pane of the Java Management Console by using the General, Settings, Configured Options, and IP Address Utilization tabs.

For more information on managing objects, see Section 7.1.13, Managing DHCP (OES Linux) Objects in the Java Management Console.

7.1.8 Host Management

Hosts are a system of domain names in the network. They are used to identify DHCP clients. Host objects have an associated IP address.

For clients with statically assigned addresses or for installation where only known clients are served, each client must have a host.

Creating a Host

  1. Click the DHCP (OES Linux) tab of the Java Management Console.

  2. Select the service or the subnet where you want to create the host.

  3. Click Create start on the toolbar to open the Create New DHCP Object window.

  4. Select host from the Create New DHCP Object window, then click OK. The Create Host window opens.

  5. Specify the name by which you want to identify the host in the Host Name field.

  6. Specify the IP address of the host in the Host IP Address field.

  7. Specify the client identifier. This uniquely identifies the client.

  8. Select the MAC type from the drop-down list.

  9. Specify the hardware address of the NIC (Network Interface Card) in the MAC Address field.

  10. Click Create. The host is now created below the required service.

You can manage the DHCP (OES Linux) host on the right pane of the Java Management Console by using the General, Lease, Settings, and Configured Options tabs.

For more information on managing objects, see Section 7.1.13, Managing DHCP (OES Linux) Objects in the Java Management Console.

7.1.9 Class Management

The Class object helps in segregating clients into classes. These clients are treated differently depending on the class they are in.

To create a Class

  1. Click the DHCP (OES Linux) tab of the Java Management Console.

  2. Select the service for which the class needs to be created.

  3. Click Create start on the toolbar to open the Create New DHCP Object window.

  4. Select Class from the Create New DHCP Object window, then click OK. The Create Class window opens.

  5. Specify the name of the class in the Class Name field.

  6. Click Create.

    The Class is created for the specified Service.

You can manage the DHCP (OES Linux) Class on the right pane of the Java Management Console by using the General, Settings, and Configured Options tabs.

For more information on managing objects, see Section 7.1.13, Managing DHCP (OES Linux) Objects in the Java Management Console.

7.1.10 Zone Management

The DHCP Zone object defines the Domain Name System (DNS).

A DHCP server uses this information to perform dynamic updates for the zone objects. A DNS server must be configured to allow updates for the zone that the DHCP server is updating.

To create a Zone

  1. Click the DHCP (OES Linux) tab of the Java Management Console.

  2. Select the service for which the Zone needs to be created.

  3. Click Create start on the toolbar. The Create New DHCP Object window opens.

  4. Select the zone from the Create New DHCP Object window, then click OK. The Create Zone window opens.

  5. Specify the name of the zone in the Zone Name field.

  6. In the DNS Server IP Address field, specify the IP address of the DNS server that will receive updates from an authorized DHCP server.

  7. Click Create.

    The zone is created for the specified service.

You can manage the DHCP (OES Linux) zone on the right pane of the Java Management Console by using the General tab.

For more information on managing objects, see Section 7.1.13, Managing DHCP (OES Linux) Objects in the Java Management Console.

7.1.11 TSIG Key Management

TSIG key can be used to secure DDNS updates between DNS and DHCP servers. For a successful secure DDNS update between DNS and DHCP servers, you must ensure the following:

  • Zones (both forward and reverse) are assigned TSIG key.

  • Both DNS and DHCP key name and it's secret must be the same.

Creating a TSIG key

  1. Click the DHCP (OES Linux) tab of the Java Management Console.

  2. Select the service for which the TSIG key needs to be created.

  3. Click Create start on the toolbar. The Create New DHCP Object window opens.

  4. Select TSIG from the Create New DHCP Object window, then click OK. The Create TSIG Key window opens.

  5. Specify the name of the TSIG key in the TSIG Key Name field.

  6. Specify the name of the algorithm in the Algorithm field.

  7. Specify the Secret key.

    NOTE:The number of characters in the secret key must be in multiples of 4.

  8. Click Create.

    The TSIG key is now created below the specified service.

You can manage the DHCP (OES Linux) TSIG key on the right pane of the Java Management Console by using the General tab.

For more information on managing objects, see Section 7.1.13, Managing DHCP (OES Linux) Objects in the Java Management Console.

7.1.12 Failover Peer Management

The Failover Peer protocol allows only two DHCP servers to share a common address pool. This ensures continuous availability. The process defines a role of a Primary Server and a Secondary Server.

Each server has about half of the available IP addresses in the Pool at any given time for allocation. During a prolonged failure of the primary server, the secondary server recovers all the addresses that the primary server had available for allocation, and begins to reuse them.

Creating a Failover Peer

  1. Click the DHCP (OES Linux) tab of the Java Management Console.

  2. Create a Service To create a service. For example, myService1. Assign the service to one of the two DHCP servers in the tree.

  3. Create a second Service. For example, myService2. Assign the service to the second DHCP server in the tree.

  4. Create two identical subnets (one for each Service) To create a Subnet. When you create a subnet, a drop-down menu allows you to select the service to be assigned to the each subnet.

  5. Create two identical pools (one under each Subnet) To create a Pool. When creating the pool, select the appropriate service.

  6. Create a Failover object under each service. The name of the Failover object under each service must be identical. For example, if a failover object named FailOver1 is created under service DHCPService1, then under DHCPService2, the failover object created should also be named as FailOver1. If the failover object names are not identical, DHCP server will fail to start.

    The same port can be used for the primary and secondary servers. As the RFC does not currently specify a reserved port for DHCP Failover Peer setups, specify the port(s) of your choice that is unused

    • On the left pane of the Java Management Console, select the Service for which you want to create the Failover.

    • Click start Create on the toolbar. The Create New DHCP Object window opens.

    • Select Failover Peer, then click OK.

    • Specify a name to identify the Failover.

    • Specify the Primary Server IP Address.

    • Specify the port number of the primary server in the Primary Port field.

    • Specify the Secondary Server IP Address.

    • Specify the port number of the secondary server in the Secondary Port field.

    • Specify the Max Client Lead Time. This is the length of time for which a lease may be renewed by either server without contacting the other. (Specify this on the Primary Server; it cannot be specified on the Secondary Server).

    • Specify the Failover Split. This specifies the split between the Primary and Secondary Servers for the purpose of load balancing.

    • Click Create. The Failover Peer is now created.

  7. Edit each pool involved in the failover and choose the Failover Peer from the drop down list.

  8. Restart DHCP and monitor /var/log/message for any errors.

Managing a Failover Peer

You can manage the Failover Peer by using the General tab in the right pane of the Java Management Console:

  • Primary Server IP Address: Modify the primary server IP Address appropriately if required.

  • Primary Port: Modify the port number of the primary Server if required.

  • Secondary Server IP Address: Modify the secondary server IP Address appropriately if required.

  • Secondary Port: Modify the port number of the secondary server if required.

  • Failover Split: Specify the split between the primary and secondary for the purpose of load balancing.

  • Max Client Lead Time: The length of time for which a lease can be renewed by either server without contacting the other. (Specify this on the primary; and it cannot be specified on the secondary).

  • Unacked Updates: Notifies the primary server of the number of messages it can send before it receives from the Failover secondary server.

  • Response Delay: Refers to the amount of information that needs to be processed.

  • Load Balance Time: Refers to the time (seconds) set so that if one of the failover peers is in a state where it responds to the failover messages but does not respond to some client requests, the other failover peer takes over its client load automatically as the clients retry.

  • Comments: Specify comments if any.

7.1.13 Managing DHCP (OES Linux) Objects in the Java Management Console

You can manage the DHCP (OES Linux) objects by using the tabs on the right pane of the Java Management Console. The following description provide more information about the tabs:

General Tab

Use the General tab to select the preferred Server object and add comments for the DHCP (OES Linux) object. This tab must be used to manage a Service.

  1. Select a server from the default DHCP drop-down list. The selected server is now associated with the service.

  2. Type your comments about the service in the Comments field.

  3. Click OK to save the settings.

Settings Tab

These settings are used to define the configuration for an object.

To add or modify a setting:

  1. Click Modify. The Modify DHCP Settings dialog box opens.

  2. Select a setting from the Settings Name list.

  3. Click Add. To add the entire list, Click Add All.

  4. Click OK to add the settings.

To remove setting name:

  1. Select the setting from the Settings Name list, then click Remove.

    or

    To remove all the settings, click Remove All.

To delete a setting:

  1. Select the setting from the list, then click Delete.

    or

    To remove multiple settings, use Ctrl+Shift to select the settings you want to remove, then click Delete.

Configured Options Tab

You can define values for the predefined options that are declared in the Available Option list.For example, Time Offset is a predefined option in the Available DHCP Option list. Use the Configured Options task to set a value for the Time Offset option.

To add a configured option:

  1. Click Modify. The Modify DHCP Options dialog box is displayed.

  2. Select an option from the Option Name list.

  3. Click Add.To add the entire list, Click Add All.

  4. Click OK.

To remove a setting:

  1. Select the option from the Option Name list, then click Remove.

    or

    To remove all the options, click Remove All.

To delete a setting:

  1. To delete an option, select the option from the list, then click Delete.

    or

    To remove multiple options, use Ctrl+Shift to select the options you want to remove, then click Delete.

Lease Type Tab

The Lease Type specifies the length of time for an address assignment. A lease type can be either permanent or timed. This tab must be used to manage the subnet and host objects.

Permanent leases never expire; the client is assigned an IP address for an indefinite period.

Timed leases are defined in days, hours, or minutes. Timed leases expire, unless the client renews the lease.

Set Boot Parameter Option

Select this option to specify the Server Address, Server Name, and Boot File Name for the BOOTP service. This information is provided at boot time. If the Boot Parameter option is selected, you need to specify the entire boot sequence.

IP Address Utilization Tab

The IP Address Utilization tab displays the details for IP addresses in a subnet or a pool.

  • Percentage Utilization: The IP addresses that are in use as a percentage of the total IP addresses available in the subnet or pool.This value is equal to (Utilized IP Addresses / Total IP Addresses) * 100.

  • Total IP Addresses: The total number of IP addresses available in the subnet or pool, including the subnet or pool start and end addresses.

  • Utilized IP Addresses: The number of IP addresses that are currently assigned to static hosts and dynamic hosts from this subnet. Or, for a pool, the number of IP addresses that are currently assigned to dynamic hosts.

  • Available IP Addresses: The total number of IP addresses that are currently available for assignment in the network.This value is equal to (Total IP Addresses - Utilized IP Addresses).

You can view the details either by selecting a particular subnet or by selecting a server object which serves one or more subnets.

To determine the utilization of the IP addresses of a subnet

  1. In the DHCP (OES Linux) tab, select the subnet for which you want the utilization details.

  2. In the Subnet property pages, click the IP Address Utilization tab.

  3. Click Get Details to view the IP address utilization details of the subnet.

To determine the IP address utilization of the subnets serviced by a particular DHCP server

  1. In the DHCP (OES Linux) tab, select the appropriate DHCP server.

  2. On the DHCP server property page, click the General tab.

  3. From the subnets displayed under the Subnets Serviced by This Server list, select one or more subnets to view the IP address utilization details:

    1. Select the Select All option to view the details for all of the subnets or select Clear All option to clear the selection.

    2. Check the following boxes to view only those subnets whose percentage utilization is more than or less than a particular value:

      • Show only subnets with percentage utilization more than

      • Show only subnets with percentage utilization less than

      When the option is selected and a value is configured, only those subnets whose percentage utilization is more than or less than the configured value are displayed.

  4. Click Show Utilization.

    The IP address utilization details of the selected subnets are displayed.

    You must wait for the complete details of all subnets to be loaded into the table. The status bar displays Done when the complete subnet details are loaded.

    The details of the summarized utilization are also displayed. The summary details are sum of the values of all the subnets (except the percentage utilization).

  5. Click Save to save the utilization details to a file.

To determine the utilization of the IP addresses of a pool:

  1. In the DHCP (OES Linux) tab, select the pool for which you want the utilization details.

  2. In the Pool property pages, click the IP Address Utilization tab.

  3. Click Get Details to view the IP address utilization details of the pool.

7.1.14 Importing and Exporting the DHCP Configuration

The import or export operation is used to transfer the DHCP service configuration from files into eDirectory or from eDirectory to a text file in a dhcpd.conf format respectively. Only Linux DHCP configuration files should be used to import or export the DHCP configuration.

NOTE:Before importing a DHCP configuration file, check the syntax of the file with the rcnovell-dhcpd check-syntax or systemctl check-syntax novell-dhcpd.service command. The command reads /etc/dhcpd.conf and checks the syntax.

Importing the DHCP Configuration

The configuration file to import should be in DHCP V3 format. Importing the Linux DHCP configuration file overwrites the associated DNS server's settings.

To import the DHCP files:

  1. Click the DHCP (OES Linux) tab of the Java Management Console.

  2. Click Import DHCP Database on the toolbar.

  3. Click Browse to select or specify the path for the DHCP database file.

  4. Click Next to open the Import - File Input window.

  5. Specify the service name in the Service Name text box.

  6. In the Select NDS Context text box, browse to select or enter specify the context where the service is to be created.

  7. (Optional) Select a Default DHCP Server from the drop-down list.

  8. Click Import.

  9. Click Finish to complete the import operation.

If the import program encounters any error, the Details button is enabled in the error window. Click Details to view the error details.

Exporting the DHCP Configuration

The file is exported in a dhcpd.conf format. These files can be imported anywhere and can also be imported back to eDirectory by using the DNS/DHCP Java-based Management Console Utility.

  1. Click the DHCP (OES Linux) tab of the Java Management Console.

  2. Click Export DHCP Database on the toolbar to open the Export - DHCP window.

  3. Specify the name of a destination file or browse to select a filename from the dialog box, then click Next.

  4. Select the services by using the Export DHCP - Service List window.

  5. Click Export to store your information in a file.

  6. Click Finish to complete the export.

    If the export program encounters any error, the Details button is enabled in the error window. Click Details to view the error details.

7.1.15 Viewing Dynamic Leases

A DHCP-enabled client obtains a lease for an IP address from a DHCP server. Before the lease expires, the DHCP server must renew the lease for the client or the client must obtain a new lease.

Configuring steps to view leases

Configure the following parameter to view leases:

  • Configure omapi-key

    • Create a TSIG Key with service object as the container.

    • Select the server object which is associated with the service.

    • Select the Settings tab of the server object.

    • Click Modify. The Modify DHCP Settings dialog box displays. From the list of available settings select omapi-key.

    • From the drop-down, select the new TSIG key and click OK.

  • Configure omapi-port

    • Select the Settings tab of the server object.

    • If omapi-port setting is not added to the server object, select it from the list of available settings and set it to the value of 7911 (Default omapi port or any other port).

    • Make sure that 7911 (or any other port configured as omapi-port) is added in the list of allowed services in firewall.

  • Configure DHCP Server IP address

    • Select the General tab of the server object.

    • Click Add.

    • Add the DHCP server IP address in the dialog box.

Restart the DHCP Server. You can now view the Active/Abandoned leases under the Pool object, in Java Management Console. The Active leases are blue in color and the Abandoned leases are red in color.

To determine the lease data, select the appropriate IP address of the lease displayed below the pool. The following details are displayed:

  • IP Address: The IP address leased to the client by the DHCP server.

  • Hostname: The hostname of the leased client.

  • MAC Address: The MAC address of the network interface on which the lease is used. It is specified as a series of hexadecimal octets, separated by colons.

  • Client Identifier: An arbitrary value that is used to identify a client instead of the hardware type and client hardware address. The client identifier is recorded as a colon-separated hexadecimal list or as a quoted string.

  • MAC Type: MAC types such as Ethernet, FDDI, and token ring.

  • State: Lists the state of the lease as Active or Abandoned. Active leases are colored blue and the abandoned leases are colored red.

  • Start Time: The date and time when the client lease begins.

  • End Time: The date and time when the lease expires.

    NOTE:Lease times are specified in Universal Coordinated Time (UTC).

7.1.16 Deleting Dynamic Leases

  1. Click the DHCP (OES Linux) tab of the Java Management Console.

  2. Under the pool object, select the lease that you want to delete.

  3. Click the Delete button.

  4. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.

  5. Release the lease from the client machine:

    On Windows: # ipconfig /release

    On Linux: # ifconfig eth0 down