Question: My Windows 2003 server standard DHCP server takes 30-45 seconds to give out an IP to XP clients. I've never seen one this slow before. The server is not overwhelmed.

We are on 100 Mbps switches. 

Any ideas or suggestions?

Answer: 
Had the same problem with a Linux server and a Dell Powerconnect 6224 switch. As Thomas G mentioned above, the problem was related to STP. I solved it by setting the switch ports to "portfast" (but NOT for uplink ports connected to other switches).

This is how to do it on that particular switch. If you have a different switch, it may still give clues to find the setting.

In the 6224 switch CLI, to enable portfast on switch 1, ports 1 to 19:

```
enable
config
interface range ethernet 1/g1-1/g19
spanning-tree portfast

```

Or

In the web configuration, go to Switching -> Spanning Tree -> STP Port Settings and check "Fast Link" for the ports.

You then need to copy the running config. to the saved config. so that it will be used at the next reboot.
Packet never lie

You can capture all the data under XP client and analyse them.
From which you may find answer.

You can find how much times Broadcast\Discover\Request packets the XP client sending and how long time DHCP server response them.

In a word,in packets world you can find more info than application operation and your sense.