Limitations of DHCP Option Overlays

This article was previously published under Q121006

Microsoft Windows NT 3.5 DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) Server and Client do not support option overlays to expand the DHCP packet beyond 548 bytes, but only up to 336 bytes. This is enough space for a reasonable set of options.

If a non-Microsoft DHCP server is sending the option overlays, make sure they all fit in the standard options field. If that is not possible, make sure that those used by the Microsoft clients fit in.