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Windows Server 2012<br />
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There are two modes of configuring DHCP failover to cater to the various deployment topologies: &nbsp;Load Balance and Hot Standby. The Load Balance mode is essentially an Active-Active configuration wherein both DHCP servers serve client requests with a configured load distribution percentage. We will look at how the DHCP servers distribute client load in a later post.<br />
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The Hot Standby mode results in an Active-Passive configuration. You will be required to designate one of the two DHCP servers as the active server and the other as standby. The standby server is dormant with regard to serving client requests as long as the active server is up. However, the standby server receives all the inbound lease updates from the active DHCP server and keeps its database up to date.<br />
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The DHCP servers in a failover relationship can be in different subnets and can even be in different geographical sites.
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Windows Server 2012

There are two modes of configuring DHCP failover to cater to the various deployment topologies:  Load Balance and Hot Standby. The Load Balance mode is essentially an Active-Active configuration wherein both DHCP servers serve client requests with a configured load distribution percentage. We will look at how the DHCP servers distribute client load in a later post.
 
The Hot Standby mode results in an Active-Passive configuration. You will be required to designate one of the two DHCP servers as the active server and the other as standby. The standby server is dormant with regard to serving client requests as long as the active server is up. However, the standby server receives all the inbound lease updates from the active DHCP server and keeps its database up to date.
 
The DHCP servers in a failover relationship can be in different subnets and can even be in different geographical sites.

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Are there any domain or forest functional level requirements to run Windows Server 2012 DHCP Failover? &nbsp;For example, can you run Windows Server 2012 DHCP Failover in a Windows 2008 R2 Domain / Forest functional level without any 2012 domain controllers?
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Are there any domain or forest functional level requirements to run Windows Server 2012 DHCP Failover?  For example, can you run Windows Server 2012 DHCP Failover in a Windows 2008 R2 Domain / Forest functional level without any 2012 domain controllers?

Windows Server 2012 DHCP Failover Requirements

The Microsoft Legacy Operating System topic includes legacy versions of Microsoft operating systems prior to Windows 2000: All versions of MS-DOS and other versions developed for specific manufacturers and Windows 3/3.1, Windows 95 and Windows 98, plus any other Windows-related versions, and Windows Mobile.

Microsoft Legacy OS

Networking is the process of connecting computing devices, peripherals and terminals together through a system that uses wiring, cabling or radio waves that enable their users to communicate, share information and interact over distances. Often associated are issues regarding operating systems, hardware and equipment, cloud and virtual networking, protocols, architecture, storage and management.

Networking

The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is an auto configuration protocol used on IP networks and an extension of the Bootstrap Protocol. DHCP allows for computers to be configured automatically to communicate with each other over an IP network without the need for manual setup by a network administrator. The implementation of DHCP relies on a DHCP server to hand out network configuration information to DHCP-capable clients that request an IP address (and other information required or useful in communicating with other devices on an IP network). In addition to an IP address, common configuration information served over DHCP includes a default gateway, subnet mask and DNS sever(s).