What are the advantages to DHCP server running on Windows Server 2003 R2 vs pfsense router

dhcppfsensewindows-server-2003

I am taking over responsibility for the network at a small medical practice. I understand how the network is configured, but I want to know more about the why.

The network currently is Cisco modem -> pfsense router -> Windows Server 2003 R2

In this configuration, what are the advantages to having the DHCP server be on the windows machine? There are only 10 clients on the network.

Best Answer

Assuming that you have Active Directory in place, the Windows clients would need to have the Windows server be listed as their DNS server. The router may not be able to do this.

This is needed because Active Directory works very heavily off of DNS for finding things like domain controllers, etc within the domain.

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