Incorrect Subnet Mask and Options Assigned from Windows NT 4.0 DHCP Server (261489)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
This article was previously published under Q261489

SYMPTOMS

When you use a Windows 2000-based computer to obtain an Internet Protocol (IP) address from a Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server, you may receive a valid IP address but the options are not received and the subnet mask is set to 255.255.255.255.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs if the Windows NT 4.0 DHCP server is configured to send a static route (033) option with the address and the route option is not properly configured on the Windows NT 4.0 DHCP server.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, properly configure the static route (033) option on the DHCP server or remove the option.

MORE INFORMATION

The static route (033) option is normally configured in pairs of address, however, the user interface in Windows NT 4.0 DHCP Server Manager allows you to type an odd number of IP addresses for the routes. If you do this, the Windows 2000-based server does not properly interpret the DHCP packet information.

Previous versions of the Windows operating system do not support the static route option in the DHCP packet, so this configuration did not cause any problems. Windows 2000 is the first Windows operating system to support the static route options in DHCP.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/20/2003
Keywords:kbnetwork kbprb KB261489
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