FluxDHCP

Overview

FluxDHCP is a self-hosted DHCPv4 server with a web interface, best suited to administrators managing IPv4 address assignment on infrastructure they control. Its focused pool and lease tools are useful without extending to broader IP management; the lack of DHCPv6 support is a firm boundary.

Key features

Pool settings cover subnet ranges, gateways, DNS servers, netmasks and lease durations. Sequential or random allocation and overlap detection give administrators practical control over address assignment and help flag conflicting pool definitions. Static MAC-to-IP reservations and per-device option overrides serve networks where selected clients need consistent addresses or distinct DHCP settings.

Lease tracking separates OFFERED, BOUND, RELEASED and EXPIRED states, with automatic cleanup of expired leases. The packet logger captures transactions with millisecond timestamps, direction, packet details, raw options and client information, giving operators useful material for tracing address-assignment issues. Webhooks can send DHCP events to external services over HTTP POST or GET, with template variables and custom headers to fit the receiving service.

The server supports DHCPv4 message types including DISCOVER, OFFER, REQUEST, ACK, NAK, RELEASE, DECLINE and INFORM, and describes itself as RFC 2131 compliant. Configuration can be exported to and imported from JSON; imported changes hot-reload, which makes configuration transfer more convenient. The project also identifies Origin-header validation for API mutations, SSRF-protected webhook URLs and IP-format validation as safeguards.

Deployment can use the recommended Docker Compose approach or a manual Node.js and npm installation. The documented runtime requires Node.js 20 or later, and binding UDP port 67 requires root or administrator privileges. That makes the product a better fit for operators comfortable with server deployment and privileged network services than for people seeking a managed, low-maintenance appliance.

Pricing

FluxDHCP costs nothing under the AGPL-3.0 license and is self-hosted. The project says use, modification and distribution are free subject to the license terms. There are no paid plans described, so it suits teams comfortable running the software themselves and complying with the license; it is not a hosted service with a managed deployment.

Platforms

FluxDHCP is listed for Linux, self-hosted deployment and web access. Its interface supports English and Chinese, dark mode and a responsive mobile-friendly layout, though the server still needs the documented Node.js runtime and privileged port binding.

Who it's for

Choose FluxDHCP if you need a focused, self-hosted DHCPv4 service with reservations, lease visibility, transaction logging and event notifications, and can manage its runtime and deployment. It is a poor fit for networks requiring DHCPv6 or administrators looking for a turnkey hosted service.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Pool controls, overlap detection, reservations and per-device options cover common IPv4 assignment needs.
• Pros: Lease-state tracking, detailed packet logs and configurable webhooks help operators monitor activity and route events.
• Pros: JSON import/export with hot reload supports configuration transfer without a paid tier.
• Cons: DHCPv6 is unsupported, excluding dual-protocol environments that require it.
• Cons: Node.js 20 or later and administrator-level access to bind UDP port 67 add deployment and privilege requirements.
• Cons: Self-hosting and AGPL-3.0 terms require operational ownership and license awareness.

Alternatives

Compare DHCP management software if you want to survey the category. Choose Subnetly instead if you want a freemium service spanning API, iOS, Linux, web and Windows, with its Free plan capped at 256 IPAM addresses, 10 subnets and 2 DHCP pools, among other quotas. ISC Stork is another free open-source option for Linux, macOS, self-hosted and web environments, with professional support available at custom pricing. teemIP suits readers considering a community edition: its free Community plan provides open-source code, downloads, documentation access and a forum. SagaOS Kea Pilot is a free, MIT-licensed alternative for API, Linux, self-hosted and web use. Danbyte is a free, open-source self-hosted alternative with all features included and no seat license or license expiry. Jen Kea DHCP Management Console may fit Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04 and Docker deployments that already use ISC Kea with MySQL or MariaDB. SpatiumDDI is another free option for API, Linux, self-hosted and web environments. For a Windows-only local IPv4 DHCP service, consider DacatDHCP, whose official version is permanently free.

Verdict

FluxDHCP is a sound choice for administrators who want a focused, no-cost DHCPv4 server they can run and manage themselves. Its pool controls, reservations, logging and webhooks make it more operationally useful than a bare address server; look elsewhere if you need DHCPv6, hosted management or fewer runtime and privilege obligations.