Reconcile the DHCP Database

Applies To: Windows Server 2008

You can use this procedure to fix inconsistencies, such as incorrect or missing information for client IP addresses, that are stored in scope lease information.

The DHCP Server service stores detailed and summary IP address information in the DHCP database. When reconciling scopes, the detailed and summary entries are compared to find inconsistencies.

After you select and reconcile scope inconsistencies, the DHCP Server service either restores those IP addresses to the original owner or creates a temporary reservation for those addresses. These reservations are valid for the lease time assigned to the scope. When the lease time expires, the addresses are recovered for future use.

Membership in the Administrators or DHCP Administrators group is the minimum required to complete this procedure.

To reconcile the DHCP database

  1. Open DHCP.

  2. In the console tree, click the applicable DHCP server.

  3. On the Action menu, click Reconcile All Scopes.

  4. In the Reconcile All Scopes dialog box, click Verify.

    Inconsistencies found are reported in the status window.

  5. If the database is found to be consistent, click OK.

    If the database is not consistent, click the displayed addresses that need to be reconciled, and click Reconcile to repair inconsistencies.