[Dnsmasq-discuss] Two DHCP server in one subnet

[Simon Kelley]

Frank wrote:
>  Hi,
>     I saw a production said its DHCP server is "non-authoritative"
> allowing for coexistence and eliminating conflicts with other DHCP. I
> don't understand how it works. Does it mean the "non-authoritative" will
> not serve DHCP request if I turn on "*--dhcp-authoritative"* of dnsmasq?
>     I tried to google but very few information for this. Cloud anybody
> teach me? thank you.
> 

The protocol allows more then one DHCP server. The client chooses which
one it wants to use. In practise, clients normally just use the first
one that they find.

Note that with more than one server, they have to co-operate or server
different address ranges.

dhcp-authoritative doesn't affect this, it just makes things work a bit
better IF there is only one server on the network.

HTH

Simon.