DHCPD is not re-using addresses

[sthaug at nethelp.no]

> When I run PXE on a new machine, I see the Anaconda (the Fedora 
> installer) makes at least three requests for a dynamic address. So far 
> as I can tell, all of the requests are identical. The sequence is 
> something like this.
> 
> DHCPDISCOVER
> DHCPOFFER on 10.76.148.235
> DHCPREQUEST for 10.76.148.235
> DHCPACK on 10.76.148.235
> DHCPDISCOVER
> DHCPOFFER on 10.76.148.248
> DHCPREQUEST for 10.76.148.248
> DHCPACK on 10.76.148.248
> DHCPDISCOVER
> DHCPOFFER on 10.76.148.249
> DHCPREQUEST for 10.76.148.249
> DHCPACK on 10.76.148.249
> DHCPREQUEST for 10.76.148.248
> DHCPACK on 10.76.148.248
> 
> Even though all the requests originate from the same MAC address, the 
> DHCP server gives each request a unique response. As the address leases 
> take time to expire, I quickly run out of available addresses. Much more 
> quickly than I should.

Have you checked if the DHCP Discover messages have different client
identifiers? If so, that is your explanation. The client id (if it
exists) is used to decide if this is the same or a new client.

Steinar Haug, Nethelp consulting, sthaug at nethelp.no