How to Use Netsh.exe to Authorize, Unauthorize and List DHCP Servers in Active Directory

This article describes how to use the Netsh.exe tool to authorize or unauthorize DHCP servers in Active Directory, and also to see what servers are authorized for the current domain.

Authorize a DHCP Server in Active Directory

Syntax: "netsh dhcp add server ServerDNSServerIP"
Parameters: ServerDNS is the DNS domain name of the DHCP server computer, and ServerIP is the IP address of the DHCP server computer.

Example: netsh dhcp add server dhcpsrv1.example.microsoft.com 10.2.2.2

This command adds a server with a DNS name of dhcpsrv1.example.microsoft.com and an IP address of 10.2.2.2 to the list of authorized servers in Active Directory.

Unauthorize a DHCP Server from the List of Authorized Servers in Active Directory

Syntax: "netsh dhcp delete server ServerDNSServerIP"
Parameters: ServerDNS is the DNS domain name of the DHCP server computer, and ServerIP is the IP address of the DHCP server computer.

Example: netsh dhcp delete server dhcpsrv1.example.microsoft.com 10.2.2.2

This command deletes the server with the DNS name of mycomp.mydom.microsoft.com and an IP address of 10.2.2.2 from the list of servers in Active Directory. This effectively removes any authorization for the DHCP Server service to run.

Display the List of Authorized Servers in Active Directory for the Current Domain

Syntax: "Netsh dhcp show server"

For more information about the add, delete and show commands you can use at a command prompt, type one of the following commands at a command prompt, and then press ENTER: