Single interface & multiple DHCP IP Pools

[nyquist]

Hi,

I'm reviewing the available configurations and options of the DHCP Server in order to confirm to a customer that a small FGT appliance will be good enough to handle their needs. The thing is, there's a specific setting I'm not sure in what scenario would be used at. auto-configuration (enable/disable) IMO, documentation is not clear enough as it describes the option in a useless way :\

set auto-configuration {disable | enable}   Enable/disable auto configuration.

Do any of you know what actually does? or in what scenario would be needed?

Max

[ede_pfau · Accepted solution]

'useless' is relative to your experience in networking.

This feature relates to Cisco auto-configuration in which a DHCP server transmits both an IP and a URL to a requesting host. The host can download a config file via TFTP using this URL.

If you want to manage suitable switches via DHCP this can be handy.

As for your original quest, I'd think you should look into the Maximum Values Matrix which lists hardcoded limits for a lot of FortiOS features by FGT model. All features consume memory so there must be a limit to each. I'd imagine there is a limit for the number of DHCP leases, depending both on the version of FortiOS and the FGT model.

[nyquist]

ede_pfau wrote:

'useless' is relative to your experience in networking.

Lesson learned Sr. Will never use that word again, even if the idea of a handbook is to provide detailed information about a subject.

ede_pfau wrote:

This feature relates to Cisco auto-configuration in which a DHCP server transmits both an IP and a URL to a requesting host. The host can download a config file via TFTP using this URL.

If you want to manage suitable switches via DHCP this can be handy.

As for your original quest, I'd think you should look into the Maximum Values Matrix which lists hardcoded limits for a lot of FortiOS features by FGT model. All features consume memory so there must be a limit to each. I'd imagine there is a limit for the number of DHCP leases, depending both on the version of FortiOS and the FGT model.

Thank you very much for your answer. It's clear to me now.

Best regards,

Max

[ede_pfau]

Do you get along with the Max Values Matrix? Personally I've never looked up the max # of DHCP leases as it never was a topic. Several /24 or /23 is no issue I'd guess. But in your case, if you have special requirements, it helps to look it up to prevent surprises.

And of course you were right with your remark. Problem is the documentation dept. is barely keeping up with the pace in which FTNT publishes new features. They can't start with Adam and Eve. One way would be to provide a link to an external resources (like Wikipedia) - which brings some other issues with it. Or trust the users to either know what is meant or to look it up themselves. The forums is one place exactly for this.