Topic Last Modified: 2006-06-05

Microsoft® Exchange Server 2007 setup displayed this warning because one or more network interfaces are configured to use the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).

It is a recommended best practice that static IP addresses be used for network interfaces managing client connections and heartbeat links in a Microsoft Windows server cluster. Using a dynamic configuration through DHCP is not recommended, as the failure to renew a DHCP lease could disrupt cluster operations.

To address this warning, configure each network interface managing client connections or heartbeat links to use a static IP address.

To Configure a Static IP address for a network connection
  1. On the Start menu, click Settings, and then Network Settings.

  2. Right-click the connection you want to configure, and then click Properties.

  3. On the General tab, in This connection uses the following items, click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and then click Properties.

  4. Click Use the following IP address, and in IP address, type the IP address.

  5. Click OK two times to finish.

For more information about the optimal network configuration for Windows Server clusters, see "Server Clusters: Network Configuration Best Practices for Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003" (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=34304).

For more information about the correct cluster heartbeat configuration, see Microsoft Knowledge Base article 258750, "Recommended private "Heartbeat" configuration on a cluster server" (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=3052&kbid=258750).