DHCP Migration

Project Information

Embarking on the DHCP migration project required meticulous planning and a deep dive into our existing setup. To ensure a seamless transition, I meticulously documented all DHCP configurations, including scopes, leases, and options. Designing a new, scalable, fault-tolerant DHCP architecture, incorporating failover capabilities to maintain high availability, was paramount. A crucial step in the process was creating a test environment that mirrored our current DHCP setup, allowing me to troubleshoot and fine-tune the migration strategy in a risk-free setting.

The migration was carefully timed to minimize network disruption and executed during non-production hours, mainly on weekends. This phase involved a strategic shutdown of old DHCP servers and the introduction of new ones, with vigilant monitoring to ensure devices were accurately receiving their configurations. Post-migration, I conducted extensive verifications to ensure all network devices connected seamlessly and the new DHCP servers functioned as intended, paying close attention to logging and failover mechanisms.

Reflecting on the project, thorough preparation, detailed testing, and clear communication with stakeholders were vital to its success. Despite encountering challenges, such as devices with hard-coded IPs, the ability to adapt and resolve issues promptly was crucial. This project enhanced my technical expertise and sharpened my project management skills, teaching me valuable lessons in navigating complex migrations with minimal user impact.