FluxDHCP

FluxDHCP is a free, self-hosted DHCPv4 server with a web management interface. It supports the RFC 2131 message types listed for the project, including discovery, offers, requests, acknowledgments, releases, and informational messages. Administrators can define address pools with subnet ranges, gateways, DNS servers, netmasks, and lease times, using sequential or random allocation; overlapping pools are detected. Static MAC-to-IP reservations and device-specific DHCP option overrides are supported. Lease records track offered, bound, released, and expired addresses, with automatic cleanup after expiry. The packet logger records transactions with millisecond timestamps, packet details, and translated option codes. Webhooks can send DHCP events to external services over HTTP POST or GET, with template variables and custom headers. Configuration can be imported or exported as JSON, and imported changes are hot-reloaded. The interface supports English and Chinese, dark mode, and a responsive mobile-friendly layout. Docker Compose is recommended, and manual installation is also documented. FluxDHCP requires Node.js 20 or later; binding UDP port 67 requires root or administrator privileges. It is licensed under AGPL-3.0.

FluxDHCP offers self-hosted DHCPv4 management with pool controls, reservations, logging, and event notifications. Deployment requires the documented runtime and elevated privileges to bind UDP port 67.

FluxDHCP suits administrators who want to run and manage a DHCPv4 server themselves. It may be useful where address reservations, event webhooks, and logged transactions are needed.

FluxDHCP is a self-hosted DHCPv4 server managed through a web interface, best suited to administrators running IPv4 networks on infrastructure they control. Its pool and reservation controls are complemented by useful transaction logging and event hooks, but its protocol scope stops at DHCPv4.

Overview

FluxDHCP concentrates on assigning and tracking IPv4 leases rather than serving as a broader IP address management suite. Its RFC 2131 message coverage and web interface give administrators a focused way to manage DHCP operations, while the lack of DHCPv6 support makes it unsuitable for networks that need both protocol versions.

The project uses Node.js 20 or later and SQLite through better-sqlite3. Docker Compose is the recommended deployment route; manual installation with Node.js and npm is also documented. Either way, the service needs root or administrator privileges to bind UDP port 67, an operational constraint worth accounting for before deployment.

Key features

Pool settings include subnet ranges, gateways, DNS servers, netmasks and per-pool lease times. Sequential or random allocation and overlap detection add practical control: administrators can choose an assignment pattern and catch conflicting pool definitions. Static MAC-to-IP reservations and per-device option overrides cover clients that need a consistent address or tailored DHCP settings.

Lease tracking records OFFERED, BOUND, RELEASED and EXPIRED states, then automatically cleans up expired leases. This gives administrators a useful view of lease status without requiring manual removal of expired entries. The packet logger captures transaction details with millisecond timestamps, direction, raw options and client information, making it more useful for tracing DHCP activity than a simple record of assigned addresses.

Webhook notifications can send DHCP events to external services using HTTP POST or GET, with template variables and custom headers. That flexibility can help fit event messages to a receiving service, though the value depends on having an external endpoint to consume them. Configuration can be exported to or imported from JSON, and imported changes hot-reload, which makes configuration transfer less disruptive.

FluxDHCP supports DHCPv4 message types including DISCOVER, OFFER, REQUEST, ACK, NAK, RELEASE, DECLINE and INFORM. The project also lists Origin-header validation for API mutations, protection against SSRF through webhook URLs, and IP format validation. These safeguards address specific input and request risks, but do not change the need to secure and maintain a self-hosted service.

Pricing

FluxDHCP costs nothing under the AGPL-3.0 license. The self-hosted project is open source, with use, modification and distribution subject to that license's terms. There are no paid tiers or seat and usage caps described for this product, so it suits administrators comfortable deploying and operating the software themselves rather than buyers seeking a packaged paid service.

Platforms

FluxDHCP supports Linux, self-hosted deployment and web access. Its interface includes English and Chinese localization, dark mode and a responsive mobile-friendly layout. The web interface is convenient for management across screen sizes, but deployment still depends on the documented Node.js runtime and privileged UDP port binding.

Who it's for

FluxDHCP is a sensible fit for administrators who want a free, self-hosted DHCPv4 server with pool controls, reservations, lease visibility and transaction logging. It is particularly relevant where webhook events or JSON configuration import and export fit existing operations. It is not the right choice for a dual-stack network requiring DHCPv6, or for teams unwilling to manage a Node.js service with elevated network privileges.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Pool controls combine allocation choices, overlap detection and per-device reservations, helping administrators manage address assignment with client-specific settings.
• Pro: Detailed transaction logging and configurable webhooks support investigation and event-driven workflows.
• Pro: Free, self-hosted availability under AGPL-3.0 avoids a software subscription while preserving access to the source, subject to the license terms.
• Con: DHCPv6 is unsupported, excluding networks that require IPv6 address assignment.
• Con: The service requires Node.js 20 or later and elevated privileges to bind UDP port 67, adding deployment and operational responsibilities.

Alternatives

For a broader shortlist, see DHCP Management Software. Subnetly is worth considering when an IPAM-oriented service across API, mobile and desktop platforms is preferable; its free plan includes 256 IPAM addresses, 10 subnets and 2 DHCP pools, among other quotas. Danbyte is another free, open-source self-hosted option, with all features included and no seat license or license expiry stated.

ISC Stork may suit readers seeking open-source software with a separate professional support option. Jen Kea DHCP Management Console is a free self-hosted choice for deployments using ISC Kea with MySQL or MariaDB on Ubuntu 22.04/24.04 or Docker. SagaOS Kea Pilot is another free, MIT-licensed option with no paid tiers or usage limits stated.

teemIP offers a free, open-source Community plan for readers considering a broader self-hosted platform. DacatDHCP is a free Windows option focused on local IPv4 DHCP service. Open DHCP Server may be a better fit for Linux deployments needing support for up to 125 DHCP ranges.

Verdict

Choose FluxDHCP if you want a free, self-hosted DHCPv4 server whose pool, reservation and logging tools keep address assignment manageable on infrastructure you operate. Its event hooks and configuration transfer add useful flexibility, but the DHCPv4-only scope and privileged deployment requirement are meaningful limits. Look elsewhere if you need DHCPv6 or want to avoid maintaining the service and its runtime.