Release 0.1.0-rc.1

Steward 0.1.0's first release candidate: a DHCPv4 server with subnets per interface, reservations, a web UI, REST API and CLI, Kea import, the web UI's certificate through Jarl, clients' last-seen times, the activity log by subnet, hidden interfaces, and the address order per subnet and pool. make test and make e2e (121 checks with udhcpc and dhcpcd) pass. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
Address order: sequential, reverse or random, per subnet and pool
2026-10-18 18:15:02 +01:00 · 2026-10-18 18:13:25 +01:00 · 2026-10-18 18:03:06 +01:00 · 2026-10-18 17:50:21 +01:00
48 changed files with 1018 additions and 113 deletions
@@ -105,6 +105,25 @@ and a CLI, built the way Jarl is.
 - **Disabled reservations** (`steward reservation disable|enable`, Disable
  in the web UI): kept but ignored, so the client gets a pool address like
  any other. Subnets get Disable/Enable buttons in the web UI too.
+- **Hidden interfaces:** `interfaces.exclude` in `steward.yaml` (names or
+  shell patterns such as `docker*`) leaves interfaces out of the web UI's
+  interface picker, `steward interface list` and `GET /interfaces`.
+- **Last seen:** with the ping check on, active leases' addresses are
+  pinged every minute, and a client that answers gets a last-seen time
+  (Leases page, reservations' online badge, `steward lease list|show`,
+  `steward reservation list|show`, `last_seen` in the API). A client that
+  blocks pings stays online for as long as its lease lasts, without one.
+- **The Reservations page refreshes itself** every 15 seconds, so online
+  and last seen stay current.
+- **Activity by subnet:** `steward activity --subnet`, a subnet filter on
+  the Activity page, `GET /events?subnet=` (ID, name or prefix).
+- **Address order** (docs/subnets.md): which never-used pool address a
+  new client gets, `sequential` (the lowest, as before), `reverse` or
+  `random`, in the settings, a subnet (`--address-order`) or a single
+  pool (`--pool 10.0.10.200-10.0.10.250:random`). A subnet's pools are
+  used in the order listed, or one at random (`--pool-order random`),
+  weighted by its never-used addresses. Pools now keep the order they are
+  given in. Kea's `allocator: random` is imported.
 - **Token rotation** (`steward token rotate`, `POST /tokens/{id}/rotate`,
  Rotate in the web UI): a new secret for a token, with an optional grace
  period for the old one, as in Jarl.
@@ -107,7 +107,10 @@ sudo systemctl disable --now kea-dhcp4-server

 ## Status

-Steward 0.1.0 is in development.
+Steward 0.1.0 is in testing (0.1.0-rc.1): a DHCPv4 server with subnets per
+interface, reservations, a web UI, REST API and CLI, Kea import, the web
+UI's certificate through Jarl, clients' last-seen times and a choice of
+address order per subnet and pool.

 ## Licence

@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.1.0-dev
+0.1.0-rc.1
@@ -51,13 +51,13 @@ func leaseCmd() *cobra.Command {
 				ls = keep
 			}
 			return output(ls, func(w io.Writer) {
-				fmt.Fprintln(w, "IP\tMAC\tHOSTNAME\tSTATE\tENDS\tINTERFACE\tSUBNET")
+				fmt.Fprintln(w, "IP\tMAC\tHOSTNAME\tSTATE\tENDS\tLAST SEEN\tINTERFACE\tSUBNET")
 				for _, l := range ls {
 					st := l.State
 					if l.Reservation != 0 {
 						st += ", reserved"
 					}
-					fmt.Fprintf(w, "%s\t%s\t%s\t%s\t%s\t%s\t%s\n", l.IP, orDash(l.MAC), leaseHost(l), st, fmtWhen(l.End), l.Interface, orDash(l.SubnetName))
+					fmt.Fprintf(w, "%s\t%s\t%s\t%s\t%s\t%s\t%s\t%s\n", l.IP, orDash(l.MAC), leaseHost(l), st, fmtWhen(l.End), fmtSeen(l.LastSeen), l.Interface, orDash(l.SubnetName))
 				}
 			})
 		},
@@ -91,6 +91,9 @@ func leaseCmd() *cobra.Command {
 				fmt.Fprintf(w, "Since:\t%s\n", l.Start.Local().Format("2006-01-02 15:04:05"))
 				fmt.Fprintf(w, "Ends:\t%s (%s)\n", l.End.Local().Format("2006-01-02 15:04:05"), fmtWhen(l.End))
 				fmt.Fprintf(w, "Interface:\t%s\n", l.Interface)
+				if l.LastSeen != nil {
+					fmt.Fprintf(w, "Last seen:\t%s (%s, answered a ping)\n", l.LastSeen.Local().Format("2006-01-02 15:04:05"), fmtWhen(*l.LastSeen))
+				}
 				if l.Reservation != 0 {
 					fmt.Fprintf(w, "Reservation:\t%d\n", l.Reservation)
 				}
@@ -157,7 +160,7 @@ then on. The host name the client sent becomes the reservation's, unless
 }

 func activityCmd() *cobra.Command {
-	var mac, iface string
+	var mac, subnet, iface string
 	var limit int
 	var follow bool
 	cmd := &cobra.Command{
@@ -193,7 +196,7 @@ func activityCmd() *cobra.Command {
 			}
 			for {
 				var evs []api.Event
-				if err := c.Get(ctx(), "/events", q("mac", mac, "interface", iface, "limit", fmt.Sprint(limit)), &evs); err != nil {
+				if err := c.Get(ctx(), "/events", q("mac", mac, "subnet", subnet, "interface", iface, "limit", fmt.Sprint(limit)), &evs); err != nil {
 					return err
 				}
 				if flagOutput == "json" || flagOutput == "yaml" {
@@ -212,6 +215,7 @@ func activityCmd() *cobra.Command {
 	}
 	f := cmd.Flags()
 	f.StringVar(&mac, "mac", "", "only this client's")
+	f.StringVar(&subnet, "subnet", "", "only this subnet's (ID, name or prefix); messages without an address, such as DISCOVERs, show for every subnet on their interface")
 	f.StringVar(&iface, "interface", "", "only this interface's")
 	f.IntVar(&limit, "limit", 50, "at most this many")
 	f.BoolVarP(&follow, "follow", "f", false, "keep watching")
@@ -245,10 +249,11 @@ func settingsCmd() *cobra.Command {
 					auth = "no (such requests get no answer)"
 				}
 				fmt.Fprintf(w, "Authoritative:\t%s\n", auth)
+				fmt.Fprintf(w, "Address order:\t%s (subnets and pools can set their own)\n", s.EffectiveAddressOrder())
 			})
 		},
 	})
-	var leaseTime, ping, pingTimeout, hold, authoritative string
+	var leaseTime, ping, pingTimeout, hold, authoritative, addrOrder string
 	var opts, unsetOpts []string
 	set := &cobra.Command{
 		Use:   "set",
@@ -312,6 +317,9 @@ reservation's own option of the same name wins.
 				not := !*a
 				in.NotAuthoritative = &not
 			}
+			if fl.Changed("address-order") {
+				in.AddressOrder = &addrOrder
+			}
 			if len(opts) > 0 || len(unsetOpts) > 0 {
 				var cur model.Settings
 				if err := c.Get(ctx(), "/settings", nil, &cur); err != nil {
@@ -336,10 +344,11 @@ reservation's own option of the same name wins.
 	}
 	f := set.Flags()
 	f.StringVar(&leaseTime, "lease-time", "", "the default lease time (12h, 1d)")
-	f.StringVar(&ping, "ping-check", "", "ping addresses before offering them: on or off")
+	f.StringVar(&ping, "ping-check", "", "ping addresses before offering them, and clients every minute for their last-seen time: on or off")
 	f.StringVar(&pingTimeout, "ping-timeout", "", "how long to wait for a ping's answer (500ms)")
 	f.StringVar(&hold, "decline-hold", "", "how long an address in use by someone else is held back (24h)")
 	f.StringVar(&authoritative, "authoritative", "", "refuse requests for addresses that don't belong on the interface: on or off")
+	f.StringVar(&addrOrder, "address-order", "", "which never-used pool address a new client gets: sequential (the lowest), reverse (the highest) or random")
 	f.StringArrayVar(&opts, "option", nil, "set an option NAME=VALUE for every subnet")
 	f.StringArrayVar(&unsetOpts, "unset-option", nil, "remove an option")
 	cmd.AddCommand(set)
@@ -424,6 +424,14 @@ func fmtWhen(t time.Time) string {
 	return "in " + s
 }

+// fmtSeen is a last-seen time, or "-" for a client never seen.
+func fmtSeen(t *time.Time) string {
+	if t == nil {
+		return "-"
+	}
+	return fmtWhen(*t)
+}
+
 func orDash(s string) string {
 	if s == "" {
 		return "-"
@@ -17,6 +17,20 @@ func subnetPath(ref string) string {
 	return "/subnets/" + url.PathEscape(strings.Replace(ref, "/", "_", 1))
 }

+// orderText says how new addresses are chosen: "pools listed, addresses
+// the settings' order".
+func orderText(s *model.Subnet) string {
+	pools := "pools in the order listed"
+	if s.PoolOrder == model.PoolsRandom {
+		pools = "a pool at random"
+	}
+	addrs := "the settings' order"
+	if s.AddressOrder != "" {
+		addrs = s.AddressOrder
+	}
+	return pools + ", addresses " + addrs + " (unless a pool has its own)"
+}
+
 func poolsText(ps []model.Pool) string {
 	var out []string
 	for _, p := range ps {
@@ -78,6 +92,7 @@ func subnetCmd() *cobra.Command {
 				fmt.Fprintf(w, "Interface:\t%s\n", s.Interface)
 				fmt.Fprintf(w, "Prefix:\t%s (mask %s)\n", s.Prefix, model.Mask(s.Prefix))
 				fmt.Fprintf(w, "Pools:\t%s\n", poolsText(s.Pools))
+				fmt.Fprintf(w, "Order:\t%s\n", orderText(s.Subnet))
 				fmt.Fprintf(w, "Leased:\t%s, %d declined\n", usageText(s.Usage), s.Usage.Declined)
 				fmt.Fprintf(w, "Reservations:\t%d (%d with a lease now)\n", s.Usage.Reservations, s.Usage.ReservationsLeased)
 				lt := "the default"
@@ -96,7 +111,7 @@ func subnetCmd() *cobra.Command {
 		},
 	})

-	var name, iface, leaseTime, comment, prefix string
+	var name, iface, leaseTime, comment, prefix, poolOrder, addrOrder string
 	var pools, opts, addPools, removePools, unsetOpts []string
 	add := &cobra.Command{
 		Use:   "add PREFIX --interface IFACE",
@@ -108,7 +123,11 @@ get its addresses.
      --pool 10.0.10.100-10.0.10.199 \
      --option routers=10.0.10.1 --option domain-name-servers=10.0.10.2

-Pools are FIRST-LAST or a prefix; give --pool once per pool. Options are
+Pools are FIRST-LAST or a prefix; give --pool once per pool. A new client
+gets a never-used address: from the pools in the order given (or a pool at
+random: --pool-order random), the lowest first (or --address-order reverse
+or random). A pool can have its own order: --pool 10.0.10.200-10.0.10.250:random.
+Options are
 NAME=VALUE ('steward option list' has the names); a number works for any
 other option, with its type for ones Steward doesn't know: 224:string=hi.`,
 		Args: cobra.ExactArgs(1),
@@ -134,6 +153,12 @@ other option, with its type for ones Steward doesn't know: 224:string=hi.`,
 				}
 				in.LeaseTime = &n
 			}
+			if poolOrder != "" {
+				in.PoolOrder = &poolOrder
+			}
+			if addrOrder != "" {
+				in.AddressOrder = &addrOrder
+			}
 			if len(opts) > 0 {
 				o, err := optionsArg(opts)
 				if err != nil {
@@ -151,7 +176,9 @@ other option, with its type for ones Steward doesn't know: 224:string=hi.`,
 	f := add.Flags()
 	f.StringVar(&iface, "interface", "", "the network interface it is served on (required)")
 	f.StringVar(&name, "name", "", "a name for it")
-	f.StringArrayVar(&pools, "pool", nil, "a pool: FIRST-LAST or a prefix (repeat for several)")
+	f.StringArrayVar(&pools, "pool", nil, "a pool: FIRST-LAST or a prefix, with :ORDER for its own address order (repeat for several)")
+	f.StringVar(&poolOrder, "pool-order", "", "which pool a new address comes from: listed (in the order given, the default) or random")
+	f.StringVar(&addrOrder, "address-order", "", "which address of a pool: sequential, reverse or random (default: the settings')")
 	f.StringVar(&leaseTime, "lease-time", "", "lease time (12h, 1d; default: the settings')")
 	f.StringArrayVar(&opts, "option", nil, "an option NAME=VALUE (repeat for several)")
 	f.StringVar(&comment, "comment", "", "a comment")
@@ -161,11 +188,13 @@ other option, with its type for ones Steward doesn't know: 224:string=hi.`,
 	update := &cobra.Command{
 		Use:   "update SUBNET",
 		Short: "Change a subnet",
-		Long: `Changes a subnet. Only what is given changes. --pool replaces all pools;
--add-pool and --remove-pool change one. --option sets an option (keeping
-the others), --unset-option removes one.
+		Long: `Changes a subnet. Only what is given changes. --pool replaces all pools,
+in the order given; --add-pool adds one at the end, or changes the order
+of a pool it already has; --remove-pool removes one. --option sets an
+option (keeping the others), --unset-option removes one.

  steward subnet update office --add-pool 10.0.10.200-10.0.10.220
+  steward subnet update office --address-order reverse --add-pool 10.0.10.200-10.0.10.220:random
  steward subnet update office --option ntp-servers=10.0.10.2 --unset-option time-offset`,
 		Args: cobra.ExactArgs(1),
 		RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
@@ -191,6 +220,12 @@ the others), --unset-option removes one.
 			if fl.Changed("comment") {
 				in.Comment = &comment
 			}
+			if fl.Changed("pool-order") {
+				in.PoolOrder = &poolOrder
+			}
+			if fl.Changed("address-order") {
+				in.AddressOrder = &addrOrder
+			}
 			if fl.Changed("lease-time") {
 				n := 0
 				if leaseTime != "default" {
@@ -216,7 +251,7 @@ the others), --unset-option removes one.
 					}
 					found := false
 					for i, p := range list {
-						if pp, _ := model.ParsePool(p); pp == rp {
+						if pp, _ := model.ParsePool(p); pp.SameRange(rp) {
 							list = append(list[:i], list[i+1:]...)
 							found = true
 							break
@@ -226,7 +261,21 @@ the others), --unset-option removes one.
 						return fmt.Errorf("the subnet has no pool %s (it has %s)", rp, poolsText(cur.Pools))
 					}
 				}
-				list = append(list, addPools...)
+				// A pool it has already changes in place (its order).
+			adding:
+				for _, a := range addPools {
+					ap, err := model.ParsePool(a)
+					if err != nil {
+						return err
+					}
+					for i, p := range list {
+						if pp, _ := model.ParsePool(p); pp.SameRange(ap) {
+							list[i] = a
+							continue adding
+						}
+					}
+					list = append(list, a)
+				}
 				in.Pools = &list
 			}
 			if len(opts) > 0 || len(unsetOpts) > 0 {
@@ -252,7 +301,9 @@ the others), --unset-option removes one.
 	f.StringVar(&iface, "interface", "", "a new interface")
 	f.StringVar(&prefix, "prefix", "", "a new prefix")
 	f.StringArrayVar(&pools, "pool", nil, "replace the pools (repeat for several)")
-	f.StringArrayVar(&addPools, "add-pool", nil, "add a pool")
+	f.StringArrayVar(&addPools, "add-pool", nil, "add a pool (FIRST-LAST[:ORDER]), or set the order of one it has")
+	f.StringVar(&poolOrder, "pool-order", "", "which pool a new address comes from: listed or random")
+	f.StringVar(&addrOrder, "address-order", "", "which address of a pool: sequential, reverse, random or default (the settings')")
 	f.StringArrayVar(&removePools, "remove-pool", nil, "remove a pool")
 	f.StringVar(&leaseTime, "lease-time", "", "lease time (12h, 1d, or \"default\")")
 	f.StringArrayVar(&opts, "option", nil, "set an option NAME=VALUE")
@@ -339,6 +390,9 @@ func reservationCmd() *cobra.Command {
 					lease := "-"
 					if r.Lease != nil {
 						lease = "until " + r.Lease.End.Local().Format("Jan 2 15:04")
+						if r.Lease.LastSeen != nil {
+							lease += ", seen " + fmtWhen(*r.Lease.LastSeen)
+						}
 					}
 					state := "on"
 					if r.Disabled {
@@ -374,7 +428,10 @@ func reservationCmd() *cobra.Command {
 				fmt.Fprintf(w, "Host name:\t%s\n", orDash(r.Hostname))
 				fmt.Fprintln(w, "Options:\t"+optionsText(r.Options))
 				if r.Lease != nil {
-					fmt.Fprintf(w, "Lease:\tuntil %s, last seen on %s\n", r.Lease.End.Local().Format("2006-01-02 15:04"), r.Lease.Interface)
+					fmt.Fprintf(w, "Lease:\tuntil %s, on %s\n", r.Lease.End.Local().Format("2006-01-02 15:04"), r.Lease.Interface)
+					if r.Lease.LastSeen != nil {
+						fmt.Fprintf(w, "Last seen:\t%s (answered a ping)\n", fmtWhen(*r.Lease.LastSeen))
+					}
 				} else {
 					fmt.Fprintln(w, "Lease:\tnone now")
 				}
@@ -172,6 +172,7 @@ func serveCmd() *cobra.Command {
 				Listen: a.cfg.Listen, TLSCertFile: a.cfg.TLS.CertFile, TLSKeyFile: a.cfg.TLS.KeyFile, TrustedProxies: a.cfg.Proxies(),
 				SessionLifetime: time.Duration(a.cfg.Session.Lifetime), SessionIdle: time.Duration(a.cfg.Session.IdleTimeout),
 				CookieSecure: a.cfg.Session.CookieSecure, Socket: a.cfg.Socket, PingProblem: pinger.Problem, ACME: acme,
+				ExcludeInterfaces: a.cfg.Interfaces.Exclude,
 			}, eng, d, host, a.log, web.FS())
 			go d.Run(ctx)
 			hup := make(chan os.Signal, 1)
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ Creating answers 201, other changes 200.
 |---|---|
 | `GET /healthz` | `{"ok": true, "version"}`, without authentication |
 | `GET /status` | build, start time, `interfaces` (`listening`, `error`, `addresses`, `subnets`), `subnets` with usage, `problems`, `leases` (counts by state), `messages` (counts by type), `ping_problem` |
-| `GET /interfaces` | the host's interfaces, their addresses and subnets |
+| `GET /interfaces` | the host's interfaces, their addresses and subnets, leaving out those matching `interfaces.exclude` |
 | `GET /catalog` | the option catalog, value types, reserved codes, roles |

 ### Settings
@@ -71,9 +71,13 @@ Creating answers 201, other changes 200.

 ```json
 {"lease_time": 43200, "ping_check": true, "ping_timeout_ms": 500, "decline_hold": 86400,
- "not_authoritative": false, "options": [{"option": "domain-name-servers", "value": "10.0.10.2"}]}
+ "not_authoritative": false, "address_order": "sequential",
+ "options": [{"option": "domain-name-servers", "value": "10.0.10.2"}]}
 ```

+`address_order` is `sequential` (left out when it is), `reverse` or
+`random` ([subnets.md](subnets.md#address-order)).
+
 `options` replaces the list. Each option is `{"option": NAME or NUMBER,
 "value": TEXT}`, with `"type"` for numbers the catalog doesn't know
 ([options.md](options.md)).
@@ -90,12 +94,17 @@ Creating answers 201, other changes 200.

 ```json
 {"name": "office", "interface": "eth0", "prefix": "10.0.10.0/24",
- "pools": ["10.0.10.100-10.0.10.199", "10.0.10.224/28"], "lease_time": 0,
+ "pools": ["10.0.10.100-10.0.10.199", "10.0.10.224/28:random"], "pool_order": "listed",
+ "address_order": "default", "lease_time": 0,
 "options": [{"option": "routers", "value": "10.0.10.1"}], "disabled": false, "comment": ""}
 ```

-`pools` and `options` replace the lists; `lease_time` 0 means the
-settings'.
+`pools` and `options` replace the lists; the pools keep their order. A
+pool's `:ORDER` is its own address order. `pool_order` is `listed` or
+`random`; `address_order` is `sequential`, `reverse`, `random` or
+`default` (the settings'). Subnets come back with pools as
+`{"start", "end", "order"}`, and the defaults (`listed`, `default`) left
+out. `lease_time` 0 means the settings'.

 ### Reservations

@@ -109,11 +118,11 @@ settings'.

 | | |
 |---|---|
-| `GET /leases[?subnet=&state=&interface=&q=]` | every lease, with its state now (`active`, `expired`, `released`, `declined`), `subnet` and its reservation; `q` searches address, MAC and host name |
+| `GET /leases[?subnet=&state=&interface=&q=]` | every lease, with its state now (`active`, `expired`, `released`, `declined`), `subnet` and its reservation, and `last_seen` when the client last answered a ping (left out if it never has); `q` searches address, MAC and host name |
 | `GET /leases/{ip}` | one |
 | `DELETE /leases/{ip}` | forget it (audited) |
 | `POST /leases/{ip}/reserve` | make it a reservation; optional `{"hostname", "comment"}` |
-| `GET /events[?mac=&interface=&limit=]` | the latest DHCP messages, newest first (the last 1000 are kept in memory) |
+| `GET /events[?mac=&subnet=&interface=&limit=]` | the latest DHCP messages, newest first (the last 1000 are kept in memory). `subnet` (ID, name or prefix) keeps messages for its addresses, and those without an address on its interface |

 ### History and import

@@ -62,8 +62,8 @@ since the start, and problems.
 |---|---|
 | `subnet list` | subnets, with interface, pools, use, reservations, lease time |
 | `subnet show SUBNET` | one subnet; SUBNET is its ID, name or prefix |
-| `subnet add PREFIX --interface IFACE [--name N] [--pool A-B]... [--lease-time 12h] [--option NAME=VALUE]... [--comment C]` | add one |
-| `subnet update SUBNET [--name] [--interface] [--prefix] [--pool]... [--add-pool] [--remove-pool] [--lease-time 1h\|default] [--option NAME=VALUE]... [--unset-option NAME]... [--comment]` | change what is given |
+| `subnet add PREFIX --interface IFACE [--name N] [--pool A-B[:ORDER]]... [--pool-order listed\|random] [--address-order sequential\|reverse\|random] [--lease-time 12h] [--option NAME=VALUE]... [--comment C]` | add one |
+| `subnet update SUBNET [--name] [--interface] [--prefix] [--pool]... [--add-pool] [--remove-pool] [--pool-order] [--address-order ...\|default] [--lease-time 1h\|default] [--option NAME=VALUE]... [--unset-option NAME]... [--comment]` | change what is given; `--add-pool` of a pool it has changes that pool's order ([subnets.md](subnets.md#address-order)) |
 | `subnet enable\|disable SUBNET` | answer its clients, or not |
 | `subnet delete SUBNET [-y]` | delete it and its reservations |

@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ one. An option Steward doesn't know: `--option 224:string=hello`.

 | Command | |
 |---|---|
-| `reservation list [--subnet SUBNET]` | reservations, and whether each client is online |
+| `reservation list [--subnet SUBNET]` | reservations, whether each client is online, and when it last answered a ping |
 | `reservation show RES` | RES is its ID, address or MAC address |
 | `reservation add IP MAC [--hostname H] [--client-id HEX] [--option NAME=VALUE]... [--comment C]` | `-` for MAC with `--client-id` |
 | `reservation update RES [--ip] [--mac] [--client-id] [--hostname] [--option]... [--unset-option]... [--comment]` | |
@@ -93,9 +93,11 @@ one. An option Steward doesn't know: `--option 224:string=hello`.

 ### activity

-`steward activity [--mac MAC] [--interface I] [--limit N] [-f]`: the latest
-DHCP messages, received and sent, oldest first. `-f` keeps watching, which
-is useful while a device tries to get an address:
+`steward activity [--mac MAC] [--subnet SUBNET] [--interface I] [--limit N] [-f]`:
+the latest DHCP messages, received and sent, oldest first. `--subnet`
+takes an ID, name or prefix; a message without an address (a DISCOVER,
+"no address") shows for every subnet on its interface. `-f` keeps
+watching, which is useful while a device tries to get an address:

 ```
 11:02:13.120  eth0     DHCPDISCOVER  3c:22:fb:11:22:33 -               adams-macbook
@@ -113,9 +115,9 @@ sent.
 | Command | |
 |---|---|
 | `settings show` | |
-| `settings set [--lease-time 1d] [--ping-check on\|off] [--ping-timeout 500ms] [--decline-hold 24h] [--authoritative on\|off] [--option NAME=VALUE]... [--unset-option NAME]...` | |
+| `settings set [--lease-time 1d] [--ping-check on\|off] [--ping-timeout 500ms] [--decline-hold 24h] [--authoritative on\|off] [--address-order sequential\|reverse\|random] [--option NAME=VALUE]... [--unset-option NAME]...` | |
 | `option list` | the options Steward knows ([options.md](options.md)) |
-| `interface list` | the server's interfaces, their addresses and subnets |
+| `interface list` | the server's interfaces, their addresses and subnets (not those in `interfaces.exclude`) |

 ### history

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ the file when it starts.
 | `tls.cert_file`, `tls.key_file` | none | serve HTTPS with this certificate; stewardd rereads it when the file changes, or on `systemctl reload steward` |
 | `tls.acme.*` | off | get the certificate from Let's Encrypt, with Jarl publishing the challenge ([certificates.md](certificates.md#settings)) |
 | `jarl.server`, `jarl.token_file` (or `jarl.token`), `jarl.ca_cert`, `jarl.insecure` | none | the Jarl server Steward uses for DNS, and its token ([jarl.md](jarl.md)) |
+| `interfaces.exclude` | `[]` | interfaces left out of the web UI's interface picker, `steward interface list` and `GET /interfaces`: names or shell patterns, such as `["lo", "docker*", "veth*"]`. A subnet can still name one, and is still served |
 | `trusted_proxies` | `[]` | addresses or prefixes of reverse proxies whose `X-Forwarded-For` and `X-Forwarded-Proto` are believed |
 | `socket` | `/run/steward/steward.sock` | the local API socket; `""` turns it off |
 | `database` | `/var/lib/steward/steward.db` | the SQLite database: configuration, leases, history, users, audit log |
@@ -25,7 +25,9 @@ check or reload.
 * **Leases** in SQLite, written before the client is answered, so a crash
  or restart never hands out an address twice.
 * **Conflict checks**: an address is pinged before it is offered; one that
-  answers, or that a client declines, is held back for a while.
+  answers, or that a client declines, is held back for a while. Active
+  leases are pinged every minute too, for a "last seen" time that never
+  takes a client offline ([subnets.md](subnets.md#online-and-last-seen)).
 * **The Jarl way of working**: an API used by both the CLI and the web UI;
  users, sessions and API tokens; every configuration change validated as a
  whole before it is saved and used; a history of changes that can be
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ It checks:

 * addresses and options per interface, and reservations;
 * the ping check, against a container that squats on a pool address;
+* last seen: a client that stays up answers pings, one that left has none;
 * init-reboot, renewal and release with dhcpcd;
 * a client moved to another VLAN: NAK, then that VLAN's address;
 * a full pool and a disabled subnet;
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ pings before it offers an address, and clients renew or rebind.
 | `shared-networks` | their subnets, all on the shared network's interface |
 | `reservations` with `hw-address` or `client-id` and `ip-address`, `hostname` | reservations |
 | `decline-probation-period` | the decline hold |
+| `allocator` (global, shared network, subnet) | `random`: the subnet's pool and address order random. `iterative` and `flq` become the default order, the lowest never-used address (with a note for `flq`) |
 | `user-context.comment` or `comment` of a subnet | the subnet's comment |
 | the lease file: active and declined leases, and released ones | leases (the last line of each address wins) |

@@ -20,7 +20,9 @@ For VLANs, give the server an interface on each, such as `eth0.20`, or a
 bridge such as `br-iot`, each with an address in its subnet. That address
 is the server identifier clients see, and the one they renew their lease
 with. `steward interface list` shows the server's interfaces with their
-addresses and subnets.
+addresses and subnets. To keep interfaces such as `lo`, `docker0` or
+`veth*` out of that list and the web UI's picker, name them in
+`interfaces.exclude` in steward.yaml ([configuration.md](configuration.md)).

 An interface that doesn't exist yet is fine. The subnet gets a warning
 (`interface_unknown`), and stewardd starts serving it within 30 seconds of
@@ -119,8 +121,9 @@ For a DISCOVER, Steward offers, in this order:
   ended, as long as it is still free and in a pool;
 3. the address the client asks for (option 50), if it is free and in a
   pool;
-4. a free pool address: one never handed out before, else the one that has
-   been free the longest.
+4. a free pool address: one never handed out before, in the subnet's
+   [address order](#address-order), else the one that has been free the
+   longest.

 An address is free when no other client has an active lease on it, it
 isn't held back, and it isn't offered to someone else in the last minute.
@@ -131,6 +134,40 @@ tried.
 When the client confirms with a REQUEST, the lease is saved, and only
 then is the ACK sent.

+## Address order
+
+Which never-used address a new client gets is set at three levels, each
+overriding the one above:
+
+| Level | Setting | Values |
+|---|---|---|
+| settings | `steward settings set --address-order` | `sequential` (the lowest free address, the default), `reverse` (the highest), `random` |
+| subnet | `--address-order` | the same, or `default` (the settings') |
+| pool | `:ORDER` after the pool: `--pool 10.0.10.200-10.0.10.250:random` | the same, or `default` (the subnet's) |
+
+A subnet with several pools also has a **pool order**, `--pool-order`:
+
+* `listed` (the default): the pools are used in the order they are
+  listed; the next one only when the one before has no never-used address
+  left. `--pool` gives the order; in the web UI, ↑ moves a pool up.
+* `random`: a pool at random, weighted by how many never-used addresses
+  each has, so addresses spread over all of them. With `random` addresses
+  too, every never-used address in the subnet is as likely as any other.
+
+```
+steward subnet update office --pool-order random --address-order reverse
+steward subnet update office --add-pool 10.0.10.200-10.0.10.250:random   # one pool's own order
+steward subnet update office --add-pool 10.0.10.200-10.0.10.250:default  # back to the subnet's
+```
+
+The order only picks among addresses **never handed out** (or whose lease
+was deleted, or ended over 30 days ago). Once every free address has been
+used before, the one free the longest is given, whatever the order: an
+address that just came free isn't handed to the next device, so stale ARP
+caches and DNS records don't point at the wrong one. Returning clients
+keep their address (steps 2 and 3), so changing the order doesn't move
+anyone.
+
 ## Leases

 | State | Meaning |
@@ -143,6 +180,17 @@ then is the ACK sent.
 `steward lease list` shows active and held-back leases; `--all` shows
 the others too. Leases that ended more than 30 days ago are deleted.

+### Online and last seen
+
+A client is **online** while its lease is active. With the ping check on
+(the default), Steward also pings every active lease's address once a
+minute, and a client that answers gets a **last seen** time: on the
+Leases page, next to a reservation's online badge, and in `steward lease
+list`. Many devices block pings (Windows' firewall does by default), so a
+client that doesn't answer stays online and simply has no last-seen time,
+or keeps the one it had. The time stays with the lease when it is
+renewed, and is kept across restarts.
+
 `steward lease delete IP` frees an address at once. A client still using
 it gets a NAK when it next renews, then asks for a new address.

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ interfaces. They come from stewardd, not from a configuration on its own.
 | `lease_time_range` | error | a lease time (settings or subnet) under 1 minute or over 365 days |
 | `ping_timeout_range` | error | the ping timeout isn't 50 to 5000 ms |
 | `decline_hold_range` | error | the decline hold isn't 1 minute to 30 days |
+| `address_order` | error | an address order (settings, subnet or pool) that isn't `sequential`, `reverse` or `random` |

 ## Options

@@ -45,6 +46,7 @@ These apply to options anywhere (settings, subnets, reservations).
 | `pool_outside_subnet` | error | a pool not inside the subnet |
 | `pool_network_address` | error | a pool with the network or broadcast address |
 | `pool_overlap` | error | two pools overlap |
+| `pool_order` | error | a pool order that isn't `listed` or `random` |
 | `router_outside_subnet` | warning | a `routers` address outside the subnet: clients can't reach it |
 | `router_in_pool` | warning | a `routers` address inside a pool. The ping check keeps it from being handed out while it answers, but take it out of the pool |
 | `interface_unknown` | warning, host | the interface doesn't exist on this machine. It is served once it appears |
@@ -68,15 +68,21 @@ type SettingsInput struct {
 	PingTimeout      *int           `json:"ping_timeout_ms,omitempty"`
 	DeclineHold      *int           `json:"decline_hold,omitempty"`
 	NotAuthoritative *bool          `json:"not_authoritative,omitempty"`
+	// AddressOrder is sequential, reverse or random.
+	AddressOrder *string `json:"address_order,omitempty"`
 }

 // SubnetInput creates or changes a subnet (unset fields stay). Pools are
-// "FIRST-LAST" or prefixes.
+// "FIRST-LAST" or prefixes, with ":ORDER" for a pool's own address order.
 type SubnetInput struct {
 	Name      *string   `json:"name,omitempty"`
 	Interface *string   `json:"interface,omitempty"`
 	Prefix    *string   `json:"prefix,omitempty"`
 	Pools     *[]string `json:"pools,omitempty"`
+	// PoolOrder is listed or random; AddressOrder sequential, reverse,
+	// random or "" (the settings').
+	PoolOrder    *string        `json:"pool_order,omitempty"`
+	AddressOrder *string        `json:"address_order,omitempty"`
 	LeaseTime    *int           `json:"lease_time,omitempty"`
 	Options      *[]OptionInput `json:"options,omitempty"`
 	Disabled     *bool          `json:"disabled,omitempty"`
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"net/netip"
 	"net/url"
 	"os"
+	"path"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
@@ -35,6 +36,17 @@ type Config struct {
 	Backup   Backup  `yaml:"backup"`
 	// Jarl is the Jarl server Steward uses for DNS (docs/jarl.md).
 	Jarl Jarl `yaml:"jarl"`
+	// Interfaces says which of the host's interfaces are offered when
+	// choosing a subnet's interface.
+	Interfaces Interfaces `yaml:"interfaces"`
+}
+
+// Interfaces filters the host's interfaces listed by the API, the web UI's
+// interface picker and 'steward interface list'.
+type Interfaces struct {
+	// Exclude are interface names or shell patterns ("docker*", "veth*")
+	// left out of the list. It doesn't stop a subnet from naming one.
+	Exclude []string `yaml:"exclude"`
 }

 // TLS is the web UI's certificate: from files, or obtained through ACME
@@ -173,6 +185,7 @@ func Default() *Config {
 	return &Config{
 		Listen:         []string{"127.0.0.1:8067"},
 		TrustedProxies: []string{},
+		Interfaces:     Interfaces{Exclude: []string{}},
 		Socket:         "/run/steward/steward.sock",
 		Database:       "/var/lib/steward/steward.db",
 		Log:            Log{Level: "info", Format: "text"},
@@ -225,6 +238,11 @@ func (c *Config) check() error {
 			return fmt.Errorf("trusted_proxies: %v", err)
 		}
 	}
+	for _, p := range c.Interfaces.Exclude {
+		if _, err := path.Match(p, ""); err != nil || p == "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("interfaces.exclude: %q is not an interface name or pattern (e.g. lo, docker*, veth*)", p)
+		}
+	}
 	if c.Database == "" || !filepath.IsAbs(c.Database) {
 		return fmt.Errorf("database must be an absolute path")
 	}
@@ -354,6 +372,12 @@ tls:
 #   ca_cert: ""                      # a CA to trust for Jarl's certificate
 #   insecure: false

+# Interfaces left out when choosing a subnet's interface (the web UI's
+# picker, 'steward interface list'): names or shell patterns. Subnets
+# already on one are still served.
+interfaces:
+  exclude: []     # e.g. ["lo", "docker*", "veth*", "br-*"]
+
 # Reverse proxies whose X-Forwarded-For and X-Forwarded-Proto are
 # believed.
 trusted_proxies: []
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ func TestErrors(t *testing.T) {
 		"{tls: {cert_file: /a, key_file: /b, acme: {domain: d.example.com}}, jarl: {server: https://j, token: x}}": "can't both",
 		"{tls: {acme: {domain: '*.example.com'}}, jarl: {server: https://j, token: x}}":                            "full name",
 		"{tls: {acme: {domain: d.example.com, directory: http://x}}, jarl: {server: https://j, token: x}}":         "https://",
+		"interfaces: {exclude: ['eth[']}": "interfaces.exclude",
 	}
 	for yml, want := range cases {
 		path := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "s.yaml")
@@ -156,29 +156,24 @@ func (s *Server) choose(cfg *config, iface string, subs []*subnet, cl client, re
 			return hold(requested, sub, true)
 		}
 	}
-	// 4. A free address: one never handed out, else the one free the
-	// longest.
+	// 4. A free address: one never handed out, in the subnet's order
+	// (order.go), else the one free the longest.
+	for _, sub := range subs {
+		if ip, ok := s.neverUsed(cfg, own, sub, cl, now); ok {
+			return hold(ip, sub, true)
+		}
+	}
 	var oldest netip.Addr
 	var oldestSub *subnet
 	var oldestEnd time.Time
 	for _, sub := range subs {
 		for _, pool := range sub.Pools {
-			for v := model.U32(pool.Start); v <= model.U32(pool.End) && v != 0; v++ {
-				ip := model.FromU32(v)
-				if !s.usable(cfg, own, sub, ip, cl, now) {
-					continue
-				}
-				l := s.leases[ip]
-				if l == nil {
-					return hold(ip, sub, true)
-				}
-				if !oldest.IsValid() || l.End.Before(oldestEnd) {
+			eachIn(pool, false, func(ip netip.Addr) bool {
+				if l := s.leases[ip]; l != nil && s.usable(cfg, own, sub, ip, cl, now) && (!oldest.IsValid() || l.End.Before(oldestEnd)) {
 					oldest, oldestSub, oldestEnd = ip, sub, l.End
 				}
-				if v == model.U32(pool.End) {
-					break
-				}
-			}
+				return false
+			})
 		}
 	}
 	if oldest.IsValid() {
@@ -290,7 +285,9 @@ func (s *Server) ack(ctx context.Context, cfg *config, iface string, p *dhcp4.Pa
 		return s.nak(cfg, iface, p, sub, why)
 	}
 	start, host := now, p.HostName()
+	var seen *time.Time
 	if l := s.leases[ip]; l != nil && l.Owns(cl.mac, cl.id) {
+		seen = l.LastSeen
 		if l.ActiveAt(now) {
 			start = l.Start
 		}
@@ -300,7 +297,7 @@ func (s *Server) ack(ctx context.Context, cfg *config, iface string, p *dhcp4.Pa
 		}
 	}
 	l := &model.Lease{IP: ip, SubnetID: sub.ID, MAC: cl.mac, ClientID: cl.id, Hostname: host, State: model.LeaseActive,
-		Start: start, End: now.Add(sub.leaseTime), Interface: iface}
+		Start: start, End: now.Add(sub.leaseTime), Interface: iface, LastSeen: seen}
 	err := s.putLease(ctx, l)
 	delete(s.offers, ip)
 	s.mu.Unlock()
@@ -461,3 +461,122 @@ func TestDisabledReservation(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("the printer got %s from a full pool", out.Packet.YIAddr)
 	}
 }
+
+func TestLastSeen(t *testing.T) {
+	h := newHarness(t, nil)
+	up := h.lease("eth0", mac(1)).YIAddr
+	quiet := h.lease("eth0", mac(2)).YIAddr
+	h.ping.answers[up] = true
+	h.s.CheckSeen(context.Background())
+	if l := h.s.Lease(up); l.LastSeen == nil || !l.LastSeen.Equal(h.clock) {
+		t.Errorf("answering client: %+v", l)
+	}
+	// One that never answers has no last-seen time, and stays active.
+	if l := h.s.Lease(quiet); l.LastSeen != nil || !l.ActiveAt(h.clock) {
+		t.Errorf("quiet client: %+v", l)
+	}
+	// Later, the time stays when it stops answering, and survives a
+	// renewal and a restart.
+	seen := h.clock
+	h.clock = h.clock.Add(10 * time.Minute)
+	h.ping.answers[up] = false
+	h.s.CheckSeen(context.Background())
+	h.lease("eth0", mac(1))
+	if l := h.s.Lease(up); l.LastSeen == nil || !l.LastSeen.Equal(seen) {
+		t.Errorf("after a renewal: %+v", l)
+	}
+	ls, _ := h.st.LoadLeases(context.Background())
+	for _, l := range ls {
+		if l.IP == up && (l.LastSeen == nil || !l.LastSeen.Equal(seen)) {
+			t.Errorf("stored: %+v", l)
+		}
+	}
+	// Expired leases aren't pinged.
+	h.clock = h.clock.Add(48 * time.Hour)
+	h.ping.pinged = nil
+	h.s.CheckSeen(context.Background())
+	if len(h.ping.pinged) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("pinged %v", h.ping.pinged)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAddressOrder(t *testing.T) {
+	ip := func(o *dhcp4.Packet) string { return o.YIAddr.String() }
+	twoPools := func(st *model.State) {
+		st.Subnets[1].Pools = []model.Pool{pool("10.0.20.10-10.0.20.19"), pool("10.0.20.100-10.0.20.109")}
+	}
+	// Sequential (the default): the lowest of the first pool listed.
+	h := newHarness(t, twoPools)
+	if got := ip(h.lease("eth0.20", mac(1))); got != "10.0.20.10" {
+		t.Errorf("sequential: %s", got)
+	}
+	// Never-used addresses first: one that came free isn't the next.
+	h.clock = h.clock.Add(2 * time.Hour)
+	if got := ip(h.lease("eth0.20", mac(2))); got != "10.0.20.11" {
+		t.Errorf("after an expiry: %s", got)
+	}
+	// But the client that had it gets it back, whatever the order.
+	if got := ip(h.lease("eth0.20", mac(1))); got != "10.0.20.10" {
+		t.Errorf("returning client: %s", got)
+	}
+
+	// Reverse from the settings.
+	h = newHarness(t, func(st *model.State) { twoPools(st); st.Settings.AddressOrder = model.OrderReverse })
+	if got := ip(h.lease("eth0.20", mac(1))); got != "10.0.20.19" {
+		t.Errorf("reverse: %s", got)
+	}
+	// The pools in the order listed; a pool's own order wins over the
+	// subnet's, which wins over the settings'.
+	h = newHarness(t, func(st *model.State) {
+		st.Subnets[1].Pools = []model.Pool{{Start: netip.MustParseAddr("10.0.20.100"), End: netip.MustParseAddr("10.0.20.109"), Order: model.OrderSequential}, pool("10.0.20.10-10.0.20.19")}
+		st.Subnets[1].AddressOrder = model.OrderReverse
+		st.Settings.AddressOrder = model.OrderRandom
+	})
+	if got := ip(h.lease("eth0.20", mac(1))); got != "10.0.20.100" {
+		t.Errorf("pool's own order: %s", got)
+	}
+	// Full first pool: the next one, in the subnet's order (reverse).
+	h = newHarness(t, func(st *model.State) {
+		st.Subnets[1].Pools = []model.Pool{pool("10.0.20.10-10.0.20.11"), pool("10.0.20.100-10.0.20.109")}
+		st.Subnets[1].AddressOrder = model.OrderReverse
+	})
+	got := []string{ip(h.lease("eth0.20", mac(1))), ip(h.lease("eth0.20", mac(2))), ip(h.lease("eth0.20", mac(3)))}
+	if strings.Join(got, " ") != "10.0.20.11 10.0.20.10 10.0.20.109" {
+		t.Errorf("pool by pool: %v", got)
+	}
+
+	// Random inside a pool: the n-th never-used address.
+	h = newHarness(t, func(st *model.State) { twoPools(st); st.Subnets[1].AddressOrder = model.OrderRandom })
+	h.s.randN = func(n int) int { return 3 }
+	if got := ip(h.lease("eth0.20", mac(1))); got != "10.0.20.13" {
+		t.Errorf("random: %s", got)
+	}
+	if got := ip(h.lease("eth0.20", mac(2))); got != "10.0.20.14" {
+		t.Errorf("random, skipping the used one: %s", got)
+	}
+	// Random pools, weighted by never-used addresses: 10 + 10, so 12 is
+	// in the second pool, which then uses its own order.
+	h = newHarness(t, func(st *model.State) { twoPools(st); st.Subnets[1].PoolOrder = model.PoolsRandom })
+	var asked []int
+	h.s.randN = func(n int) int { asked = append(asked, n); return 12 }
+	if got := ip(h.lease("eth0.20", mac(1))); got != "10.0.20.100" || asked[0] != 20 {
+		t.Errorf("random pools: %s %v", got, asked)
+	}
+	// Real randomness stays inside the pools and never repeats.
+	h = newHarness(t, func(st *model.State) {
+		twoPools(st)
+		st.Subnets[1].PoolOrder = model.PoolsRandom
+		st.Subnets[1].AddressOrder = model.OrderRandom
+	})
+	seen := map[string]bool{}
+	for i := byte(1); i <= 20; i++ {
+		a := ip(h.lease("eth0.20", mac(i)))
+		if seen[a] || !(strings.HasPrefix(a, "10.0.20.1") && len(a) >= 10) {
+			t.Fatalf("random address %s (have %v)", a, seen)
+		}
+		seen[a] = true
+	}
+	if out := h.discover("eth0.20", mac(21)); out != nil {
+		t.Errorf("a full subnet offered %s", out.Packet.YIAddr)
+	}
+}
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ func (s *Server) Run(ctx context.Context) {
 	defer t.Stop()
 	prune := time.NewTicker(time.Hour)
 	defer prune.Stop()
+	go s.watchSeen(ctx)
 	for {
 		s.reconcile(ctx)
 		select {
@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+package dhcpd
+
+import (
+	"net/netip"
+	"time"
+
+	"steward/internal/model"
+)
+
+// neverUsed picks a pool address that was never handed out (or whose
+// lease was deleted), in the subnet's order (s.mu held): the pools listed
+// or at random, and inside a pool sequential, reverse or random
+// (docs/subnets.md, "Address order").
+func (s *Server) neverUsed(cfg *config, own map[netip.Addr]bool, sub *subnet, cl client, now time.Time) (netip.Addr, bool) {
+	ok := func(ip netip.Addr) bool { return s.leases[ip] == nil && s.usable(cfg, own, sub, ip, cl, now) }
+	order := func(p model.Pool) string {
+		switch {
+		case p.Order != "":
+			return p.Order
+		case sub.AddressOrder != "":
+			return sub.AddressOrder
+		}
+		return cfg.settings.EffectiveAddressOrder()
+	}
+	if sub.PoolOrder != model.PoolsRandom {
+		for _, p := range sub.Pools {
+			if ip, found := s.pickIn(p, order(p), ok); found {
+				return ip, true
+			}
+		}
+		return netip.Addr{}, false
+	}
+	// A pool at random, weighted by its never-used addresses.
+	counts := make([]int, len(sub.Pools))
+	total := 0
+	for i, p := range sub.Pools {
+		counts[i] = countIn(p, ok)
+		total += counts[i]
+	}
+	if total == 0 {
+		return netip.Addr{}, false
+	}
+	n := s.randN(total)
+	for i, p := range sub.Pools {
+		if n < counts[i] {
+			return s.pickIn(p, order(p), ok)
+		}
+		n -= counts[i]
+	}
+	return netip.Addr{}, false
+}
+
+// pickIn picks an address of the pool that ok accepts, in an order.
+func (s *Server) pickIn(p model.Pool, order string, ok func(netip.Addr) bool) (netip.Addr, bool) {
+	var found netip.Addr
+	switch order {
+	case model.OrderRandom:
+		n := countIn(p, ok)
+		if n == 0 {
+			return netip.Addr{}, false
+		}
+		k := s.randN(n)
+		eachIn(p, false, func(ip netip.Addr) bool {
+			if !ok(ip) {
+				return false
+			}
+			if k == 0 {
+				found = ip
+				return true
+			}
+			k--
+			return false
+		})
+	default:
+		eachIn(p, order == model.OrderReverse, func(ip netip.Addr) bool {
+			if ok(ip) {
+				found = ip
+				return true
+			}
+			return false
+		})
+	}
+	return found, found.IsValid()
+}
+
+// countIn counts the pool's addresses that ok accepts.
+func countIn(p model.Pool, ok func(netip.Addr) bool) int {
+	n := 0
+	eachIn(p, false, func(ip netip.Addr) bool {
+		if ok(ip) {
+			n++
+		}
+		return false
+	})
+	return n
+}
+
+// eachIn calls fn for the pool's addresses, lowest first (highest first
+// when reverse), until it returns true.
+func eachIn(p model.Pool, reverse bool, fn func(netip.Addr) bool) {
+	if !p.Start.Is4() || !p.End.Is4() || p.End.Less(p.Start) {
+		return
+	}
+	lo, hi := model.U32(p.Start), model.U32(p.End)
+	if reverse {
+		for v := hi; ; v-- {
+			if fn(model.FromU32(v)) || v == lo {
+				return
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	for v := lo; ; v++ {
+		if fn(model.FromU32(v)) || v == hi {
+			return
+		}
+	}
+}
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ func (p *ICMPPinger) Ping(ctx context.Context, a netip.Addr, timeout time.Durati
 	conn, err := icmp.ListenPacket("udp4", "0.0.0.0")
 	if err != nil {
 		p.once.Do(func() {
-			msg := "can't send pings, so addresses aren't checked before they are offered: " + err.Error() + " (check net.ipv4.ping_group_range)"
+			msg := "can't send pings, so addresses aren't checked before they are offered and clients' last-seen times aren't known: " + err.Error() + " (check net.ipv4.ping_group_range)"
 			p.Unavailable.Store(msg)
 			if p.Log != nil {
 				p.Log.Warn(msg)
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ func (p *ICMPPinger) Ping(ctx context.Context, a netip.Addr, timeout time.Durati
 	}
 	defer conn.Close()
 	seq := int(p.seq.Add(1) & 0xffff)
-	msg := icmp.Message{Type: ipv4.ICMPTypeEcho, Body: &icmp.Echo{ID: os.Getpid() & 0xffff, Seq: seq, Data: []byte("steward conflict check")}}
+	msg := icmp.Message{Type: ipv4.ICMPTypeEcho, Body: &icmp.Echo{ID: os.Getpid() & 0xffff, Seq: seq, Data: []byte("steward")}}
 	b, err := msg.Marshal(nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return false
@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+package dhcpd
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"net/netip"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"steward/internal/model"
+)
+
+// How often active leases' addresses are pinged for their last-seen time,
+// and how many pings run at once.
+const (
+	seenEvery   = time.Minute
+	seenWorkers = 16
+)
+
+// watchSeen pings the active leases' addresses every seenEvery.
+func (s *Server) watchSeen(ctx context.Context) {
+	t := time.NewTicker(seenEvery)
+	defer t.Stop()
+	for {
+		s.CheckSeen(ctx)
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return
+		case <-t.C:
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// CheckSeen pings every active lease's address once (when the ping check
+// is on), and records when each that answered was seen. A client that
+// doesn't answer keeps its last time, or none: many block pings, and stay
+// online while their lease lasts.
+func (s *Server) CheckSeen(ctx context.Context) {
+	cfg := s.cfg.Load()
+	if s.pinger == nil || !cfg.settings.PingCheck {
+		return
+	}
+	now := s.now()
+	var active []model.Lease
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	for _, l := range s.leases {
+		if l.ActiveAt(now) {
+			active = append(active, *l)
+		}
+	}
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+	timeout := cfg.settings.EffectivePingTimeout()
+	var (
+		mu   sync.Mutex
+		seen = map[netip.Addr]time.Time{}
+		wg   sync.WaitGroup
+		sem  = make(chan struct{}, seenWorkers)
+	)
+	for _, l := range active {
+		if ctx.Err() != nil {
+			break
+		}
+		sem <- struct{}{}
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func() {
+			defer func() { <-sem; wg.Done() }()
+			if s.pinger.Ping(ctx, l.IP, timeout) {
+				mu.Lock()
+				seen[l.IP] = s.now()
+				mu.Unlock()
+			}
+		}()
+	}
+	wg.Wait()
+	if len(seen) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	for _, was := range active {
+		at, ok := seen[was.IP]
+		if !ok {
+			continue
+		}
+		// The address may have gone to another client meanwhile.
+		l := s.leases[was.IP]
+		if l == nil || l.MAC != was.MAC || l.ClientID != was.ClientID || !l.ActiveAt(at) {
+			delete(seen, was.IP)
+			continue
+		}
+		l.LastSeen = &at
+	}
+	if err := s.store.SetLastSeen(ctx, seen); err != nil {
+		s.warnOnce("last seen", time.Hour, "saving clients' last-seen times failed", "err", err)
+	}
+}
@@ -7,10 +7,10 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"log/slog"
+	"math/rand/v2"
 	"net"
 	"net/netip"
 	"sort"
-	"strings"
 	"sync"
 	"sync/atomic"
 	"time"
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ type LeaseStore interface {
 	PutLease(ctx context.Context, l *model.Lease) error
 	DeleteLease(ctx context.Context, ip netip.Addr) error
 	PruneLeases(ctx context.Context, before time.Time) (int64, error)
+	SetLastSeen(ctx context.Context, seen map[netip.Addr]time.Time) error
 }

 // Interfaces reports a network interface's IPv4 addresses with their
@@ -32,7 +33,8 @@ type Interfaces interface {
 	Addrs(name string) ([]netip.Prefix, error)
 }

-// Pinger checks whether an address answers (conflict detection).
+// Pinger checks whether an address answers (conflict detection, and
+// clients' last-seen times).
 type Pinger interface {
 	Ping(ctx context.Context, a netip.Addr, timeout time.Duration) bool
 }
@@ -51,6 +53,8 @@ type Server struct {
 	ifaces Interfaces
 	pinger Pinger
 	now    func() time.Time
+	// randN returns a random number in [0, n) (address order random).
+	randN func(n int) int

 	// ServerPort and ClientPort are 67 and 68 (tests use others).
 	ServerPort, ClientPort int
@@ -81,7 +85,7 @@ func New(log *slog.Logger, st LeaseStore, ifaces Interfaces, pinger Pinger) *Ser
 	if ifaces == nil {
 		ifaces = &HostInterfaces{}
 	}
-	s := &Server{log: log, store: st, ifaces: ifaces, pinger: pinger, now: time.Now, ServerPort: 67, ClientPort: 68,
+	s := &Server{log: log, store: st, ifaces: ifaces, pinger: pinger, now: time.Now, randN: rand.IntN, ServerPort: 67, ClientPort: 68,
 		leases: map[netip.Addr]*model.Lease{}, offers: map[netip.Addr]offer{}, changed: make(chan struct{}, 1)}
 	s.cfg.Store(compile(&model.State{Settings: model.DefaultSettings()}))
 	s.events.max = 1000
@@ -342,15 +346,15 @@ func (e *events) add(ev Event) {
 	e.counts[ev.Type]++
 }

-// Events returns the latest events, newest first, optionally only those of
-// one MAC address or interface.
-func (s *Server) Events(limit int, mac, iface string) []Event {
+// Events returns the latest events, newest first, optionally only those
+// keep accepts.
+func (s *Server) Events(limit int, keep func(Event) bool) []Event {
 	s.events.mu.Lock()
 	defer s.events.mu.Unlock()
 	out := []Event{}
 	for i := len(s.events.list) - 1; i >= 0 && (limit <= 0 || len(out) < limit); i-- {
 		ev := s.events.list[i]
-		if mac != "" && !strings.EqualFold(ev.MAC, mac) || iface != "" && ev.Interface != iface {
+		if keep != nil && !keep(ev) {
 			continue
 		}
 		out = append(out, ev)
@@ -415,6 +415,9 @@ func put(st *model.State, kind string, id int64, data json.RawMessage) error {
 // lists in their canonical form, so equal configurations compare equal.
 func Normalize(st *model.State) {
 	st.Settings.Options = normOptions(st.Settings.Options)
+	if st.Settings.AddressOrder == model.OrderSequential {
+		st.Settings.AddressOrder = "" // the default
+	}
 	if st.Subnets == nil {
 		st.Subnets = []*model.Subnet{}
 	}
@@ -429,7 +432,10 @@ func Normalize(st *model.State) {
 		if s.Prefix.IsValid() && s.Prefix.Addr().Is4() {
 			s.Prefix = s.Prefix.Masked()
 		}
-		sort.SliceStable(s.Pools, func(i, j int) bool { return s.Pools[i].Start.Less(s.Pools[j].Start) })
+		// The pools' order counts (pool_order listed): it is kept.
+		if s.PoolOrder == model.PoolsListed {
+			s.PoolOrder = ""
+		}
 	}
 	for _, r := range st.Reservations {
 		r.Options = normOptions(r.Options)
@@ -90,6 +90,9 @@ type importer struct {
 	opts    Options
 	res     *Result
 	globals []string // interfaces-config interfaces
+	// allocator is Dhcp4's allocator (iterative, random or flq).
+	allocator string
+	noted     map[string]bool
 }

 // ParseConfig reads a kea-dhcp4.conf.
@@ -131,6 +134,17 @@ func jsonError(b []byte, err error) error {
 	return err
 }

+// noteOnce adds a note once per key.
+func (im *importer) noteOnce(key, format string, args ...any) {
+	if im.noted == nil {
+		im.noted = map[string]bool{}
+	}
+	if !im.noted[key] {
+		im.noted[key] = true
+		im.note(format, args...)
+	}
+}
+
 func (im *importer) note(format string, args ...any) {
 	im.res.Notes = append(im.res.Notes, fmt.Sprintf(format, args...))
 }
@@ -154,7 +168,7 @@ func get[T any](o obj, key string, into *T) (bool, error) {
 // note.
 var (
 	handledKeys = map[string]bool{"interfaces-config": true, "valid-lifetime": true, "option-data": true, "subnet4": true, "shared-networks": true,
-		"reservations": true, "authoritative": true, "decline-probation-period": true}
+		"reservations": true, "authoritative": true, "decline-probation-period": true, "allocator": true}
 	ignoredKeys = map[string]string{
 		"lease-database": "Steward keeps leases in its own database", "control-socket": "Steward has its own API",
 		"loggers": "Steward logs to the journal", "renew-timer": "Steward sends half the lease time",
@@ -195,6 +209,7 @@ func (im *importer) dhcp4(d obj) error {
 			im.globals = append(im.globals, name)
 		}
 	}
+	get(d, "allocator", &im.allocator)
 	set := &im.res.State.Settings
 	var vl int
 	if ok, err := get(d, "valid-lifetime", &vl); err != nil {
@@ -346,6 +361,18 @@ func (im *importer) subnet(s obj, shared obj) error {
 		}
 		sn.Options = so
 	}
+	alloc := im.allocator
+	if shared != nil {
+		get(shared, "allocator", &alloc)
+	}
+	get(s, "allocator", &alloc)
+	switch alloc {
+	case "random":
+		// Kea picks among all the subnet's free addresses.
+		sn.PoolOrder, sn.AddressOrder = model.PoolsRandom, model.OrderRandom
+	case "flq":
+		im.noteOnce("flq", "the allocator flq (free lease queue) became Steward's sequential order: a new client gets the lowest address never handed out, else the one free the longest")
+	}
 	if ok, _ := get(s, "interface", &iface); ok && iface == "" {
 		iface = ""
 	}
@@ -168,3 +168,24 @@ func TestParseLeases(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Error("a file without Kea's columns was accepted")
 	}
 }
+
+func TestAllocator(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg := `{"Dhcp4": {"allocator": "random", "subnet4": [
+		{"subnet": "192.168.5.0/24", "interface": "eth0", "pools": [{"pool": "192.168.5.10-192.168.5.20"}]},
+		{"subnet": "192.168.6.0/24", "interface": "eth1", "allocator": "iterative", "pools": [{"pool": "192.168.6.10-192.168.6.20"}]}]}}`
+	res, err := ParseConfig([]byte(cfg), Options{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if s := res.State.Subnets[0]; s.PoolOrder != model.PoolsRandom || s.AddressOrder != model.OrderRandom {
+		t.Errorf("random: %+v", s)
+	}
+	if s := res.State.Subnets[1]; s.PoolOrder != "" || s.AddressOrder != "" {
+		t.Errorf("iterative: %+v", s)
+	}
+	for _, sk := range res.Skipped {
+		if strings.Contains(sk, "allocator") {
+			t.Errorf("skipped %q", sk)
+		}
+	}
+}
@@ -48,6 +48,45 @@ type Settings struct {
 	// addresses that don't belong on the interface, for networks where
 	// another DHCP server shares the segment. Off by default.
 	NotAuthoritative bool `json:"not_authoritative"`
+	// AddressOrder is which never-used pool address a new client gets:
+	// sequential (the lowest, the default), reverse (the highest) or
+	// random. Subnets and pools can set their own.
+	AddressOrder string `json:"address_order,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// Address orders: which never-used pool address a new client gets. When
+// every free address has been used before, the one free the longest is
+// given out, whatever the order.
+const (
+	OrderSequential = "sequential"
+	OrderReverse    = "reverse"
+	OrderRandom     = "random"
+)
+
+// Pool orders: which of a subnet's pools a new address comes from.
+const (
+	// PoolsListed tries the pools in the order they are listed.
+	PoolsListed = "listed"
+	// PoolsRandom picks a pool at random, weighted by its never-used
+	// addresses, so addresses spread over the whole subnet.
+	PoolsRandom = "random"
+)
+
+// AddressOrders are the address orders, for messages and help.
+var AddressOrders = []string{OrderSequential, OrderReverse, OrderRandom}
+
+// ValidAddressOrder reports whether s is an address order ("" too: the
+// default or inherited one).
+func ValidAddressOrder(s string) bool {
+	return s == "" || s == OrderSequential || s == OrderReverse || s == OrderRandom
+}
+
+// EffectiveAddressOrder is the settings' address order with its default.
+func (s Settings) EffectiveAddressOrder() string {
+	if s.AddressOrder == "" {
+		return OrderSequential
+	}
+	return s.AddressOrder
 }

 // DefaultSettings are the settings of a new database.
@@ -101,6 +140,12 @@ type Subnet struct {
 	Interface string       `json:"interface"`
 	Prefix    netip.Prefix `json:"prefix"`
 	Pools     []Pool       `json:"pools"`
+	// PoolOrder is which pool a new address comes from: listed (the
+	// default, "") or random.
+	PoolOrder string `json:"pool_order,omitempty"`
+	// AddressOrder overrides the settings' address order inside the
+	// subnet's pools ("": inherit); a pool can override it in turn.
+	AddressOrder string `json:"address_order,omitempty"`
 	// LeaseTime overrides the settings' lease time (0: inherit).
 	LeaseTime int           `json:"lease_time"`
 	Options   []OptionValue `json:"options"`
@@ -122,9 +167,25 @@ func (s *Subnet) Label() string {
 type Pool struct {
 	Start netip.Addr `json:"start"`
 	End   netip.Addr `json:"end"`
+	// Order overrides the subnet's address order in this pool ("":
+	// inherit).
+	Order string `json:"order,omitempty"`
 }

-func (p Pool) String() string { return p.Start.String() + "-" + p.End.String() }
+// String is the pool as ParsePool reads it: FIRST-LAST, with :ORDER when
+// it has its own.
+func (p Pool) String() string {
+	if p.Order != "" {
+		return p.Range() + ":" + p.Order
+	}
+	return p.Range()
+}
+
+// Range is FIRST-LAST.
+func (p Pool) Range() string { return p.Start.String() + "-" + p.End.String() }
+
+// SameRange reports whether two pools cover the same addresses.
+func (p Pool) SameRange(o Pool) bool { return p.Start == o.Start && p.End == o.End }

 // Contains reports whether a is in the pool.
 func (p Pool) Contains(a netip.Addr) bool {
@@ -140,9 +201,21 @@ func (p Pool) Size() int {
 }

 // ParsePool reads "10.0.10.100-10.0.10.199" (spaces around the dash are
-// fine) or a prefix, "10.0.10.128/25".
+// fine) or a prefix, "10.0.10.128/25", optionally followed by the pool's
+// own address order: "10.0.10.100-10.0.10.199:random".
 func ParsePool(s string) (Pool, error) {
 	s = strings.TrimSpace(s)
+	if r, order, ok := strings.Cut(s, ":"); ok {
+		order = strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(order))
+		if order == "default" {
+			order = "" // the subnet's
+		} else if order == "" || !ValidAddressOrder(order) {
+			return Pool{}, fmt.Errorf("pool %q: the order after the colon is %s or default (the subnet's)", s, strings.Join(AddressOrders, ", "))
+		}
+		p, err := ParsePool(r)
+		p.Order = order
+		return p, err
+	}
 	if a, b, ok := strings.Cut(s, "-"); ok {
 		start, err1 := netip.ParseAddr(strings.TrimSpace(a))
 		end, err2 := netip.ParseAddr(strings.TrimSpace(b))
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+package model
+
+import "testing"
+
+func TestParsePoolOrder(t *testing.T) {
+	for in, want := range map[string]string{
+		"10.0.0.1-10.0.0.50":          "10.0.0.1-10.0.0.50",
+		"10.0.0.1 - 10.0.0.50:Random": "10.0.0.1-10.0.0.50:random",
+		"10.0.0.0/26:reverse":         "10.0.0.0-10.0.0.63:reverse",
+		"10.0.0.1-10.0.0.50:default":  "10.0.0.1-10.0.0.50",
+	} {
+		p, err := ParsePool(in)
+		if err != nil || p.String() != want {
+			t.Errorf("%q: %v %v", in, p, err)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, in := range []string{"10.0.0.1-10.0.0.50:", "10.0.0.1-10.0.0.50:lowest"} {
+		if _, err := ParsePool(in); err == nil {
+			t.Errorf("%q accepted", in)
+		}
+	}
+}
@@ -34,6 +34,9 @@ type Lease struct {
 	// Interface is where the client was last seen.
 	Interface string    `json:"interface"`
 	Updated   time.Time `json:"updated"`
+	// LastSeen is when the client last answered a ping (nil: never).
+	// Clients that block pings stay online while their lease lasts.
+	LastSeen *time.Time `json:"last_seen,omitempty"`
 }

 // StateAt is the lease's state at a time (an active lease past its end
@@ -118,6 +118,9 @@ func (s *Server) updateSettings(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, p *auth.
 		if in.NotAuthoritative != nil {
 			set.NotAuthoritative = *in.NotAuthoritative
 		}
+		if in.AddressOrder != nil {
+			set.AddressOrder = orderInput(*in.AddressOrder)
+		}
 		return nil
 	}, func(st *model.State) any { return st.Settings })
 }
@@ -194,6 +197,16 @@ func (s *Server) getSubnet(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, p *auth.Princ
 	return nil
 }

+// orderInput reads an address or pool order: "default" is "" (inherited,
+// or the default); validation checks the rest.
+func orderInput(s string) string {
+	s = strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(s))
+	if s == "default" {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return s
+}
+
 // applySubnetInput sets the given fields.
 func applySubnetInput(sn *model.Subnet, in *api.SubnetInput) error {
 	if in.Name != nil {
@@ -219,6 +232,12 @@ func applySubnetInput(sn *model.Subnet, in *api.SubnetInput) error {
 			sn.Pools = append(sn.Pools, pool)
 		}
 	}
+	if in.PoolOrder != nil {
+		sn.PoolOrder = orderInput(*in.PoolOrder)
+	}
+	if in.AddressOrder != nil {
+		sn.AddressOrder = orderInput(*in.AddressOrder)
+	}
 	if in.LeaseTime != nil {
 		sn.LeaseTime = *in.LeaseTime
 	}
@@ -572,6 +591,9 @@ func (s *Server) interfaces(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, p *auth.Prin
 	st := s.eng.State()
 	out := []api.HostInterface{}
 	for name, ps := range all {
+		if s.excludedInterface(name) {
+			continue
+		}
 		hi := api.HostInterface{Name: name, Addresses: []string{}, Subnets: []int64{}}
 		for _, a := range ps {
 			hi.Addresses = append(hi.Addresses, a.String())
@@ -585,7 +607,7 @@ func (s *Server) interfaces(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, p *auth.Prin
 	}
 	// Subnets may name interfaces that don't exist (yet).
 	for _, sn := range st.Subnets {
-		if _, ok := all[sn.Interface]; !ok && sn.Interface != "" {
+		if _, ok := all[sn.Interface]; !ok && sn.Interface != "" && !s.excludedInterface(sn.Interface) {
 			found := false
 			for i := range out {
 				if out[i].Name == sn.Interface {
@@ -153,7 +153,30 @@ func (s *Server) listEvents(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, p *auth.Prin
 	if err := require(p, auth.ResLeases, false); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	evs := s.dhcp.Events(queryInt(r, "limit", 200), r.URL.Query().Get("mac"), r.URL.Query().Get("interface"))
+	q := r.URL.Query()
+	var only *model.Subnet
+	if ref := q.Get("subnet"); ref != "" {
+		var err error
+		if only, err = subnetRef(s.eng.State(), ref); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	mac, iface := q.Get("mac"), q.Get("interface")
+	evs := s.dhcp.Events(queryInt(r, "limit", 200), func(e dhcpd.Event) bool {
+		if mac != "" && !strings.EqualFold(e.MAC, mac) || iface != "" && e.Interface != iface {
+			return false
+		}
+		if only != nil {
+			// A message with an address belongs to the subnet that has
+			// it; one without (a DISCOVER) to every subnet on its
+			// interface.
+			if ip, err := netip.ParseAddr(e.IP); err == nil {
+				return only.Prefix.Contains(ip)
+			}
+			return e.Interface == only.Interface
+		}
+		return true
+	})
 	out := make([]api.Event, len(evs))
 	for i, e := range evs {
 		out[i] = api.Event(e)
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import (
 	"net/http"
 	"net/netip"
 	"os"
+	"path"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
@@ -44,6 +45,20 @@ type Config struct {
 	// ACME keeps the certificate stewardd obtains itself (tls.acme; nil
 	// when off).
 	ACME *certs.Manager
+	// ExcludeInterfaces are interface names or path.Match patterns left
+	// out of GET /interfaces (interfaces.exclude).
+	ExcludeInterfaces []string
+}
+
+// excludedInterface reports whether interfaces.exclude hides the
+// interface name.
+func (s *Server) excludedInterface(name string) bool {
+	for _, p := range s.cfg.ExcludeInterfaces {
+		if ok, _ := path.Match(p, name); ok {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
 }

 // Interfaces lists the host's interfaces.
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 	"net/http/cookiejar"
 	"net/http/httptest"
 	"net/netip"
+	"net/url"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"

@@ -246,6 +247,16 @@ func TestLeasesThroughDHCP(t *testing.T) {
 	if len(evs) != 4 || evs[0].Type != "DHCPACK" {
 		t.Errorf("events %+v", evs)
 	}
+	// By subnet: its addresses, and DISCOVERs on its interface.
+	e.call(e.token, "POST", "/subnets", api.SubnetInput{Name: ptr("office"), Prefix: ptr("10.0.10.0/24"), Interface: ptr("eth0")}, nil)
+	for ref, want := range map[string]int{"iot": 4, "10.0.20.0/24": 4, "office": 0} {
+		if code := e.call(e.token, "GET", "/events?subnet="+url.QueryEscape(ref), nil, &evs); code != 200 || len(evs) != want {
+			t.Errorf("events of subnet %s: %d %+v", ref, code, evs)
+		}
+	}
+	if code := e.call(e.token, "GET", "/events?subnet=nope", nil, nil); code != 404 && code != 400 {
+		t.Errorf("unknown subnet: %d", code)
+	}
 	if code := e.call(e.token, "DELETE", "/leases/"+ip, nil, nil); code != 204 {
 		t.Errorf("delete lease: %d", code)
 	}
@@ -380,3 +391,46 @@ func TestTokenRotation(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("a token rotating itself: %d", code)
 	}
 }
+
+func TestInterfacesExclude(t *testing.T) {
+	e := newEnv(t)
+	e.srv.cfg.ExcludeInterfaces = []string{"eth0.*", "docker*"}
+	// A subnet on an excluded interface the host doesn't have.
+	if c := e.call(e.token, "POST", "/subnets", api.SubnetInput{Prefix: ptr("172.17.0.0/16"), Interface: ptr("docker0")}, nil); c != 201 {
+		t.Fatalf("create: %d", c)
+	}
+	var ifs []api.HostInterface
+	e.call(e.token, "GET", "/interfaces", nil, &ifs)
+	if len(ifs) != 1 || ifs[0].Name != "eth0" {
+		t.Errorf("interfaces: %+v", ifs)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAddressOrderAPI(t *testing.T) {
+	e := newEnv(t)
+	var mr api.MutationResponse
+	in := api.SubnetInput{Prefix: ptr("10.0.20.0/24"), Interface: ptr("eth0.20"), PoolOrder: ptr("random"), AddressOrder: ptr("Reverse"),
+		Pools: &[]string{"10.0.20.100-10.0.20.110:random", "10.0.20.10-10.0.20.20"}}
+	if code := e.call(e.token, "POST", "/subnets", in, &mr); code != 201 {
+		t.Fatalf("create: %d %+v", code, mr)
+	}
+	sn := e.eng.State().Subnets[0]
+	// The pools keep the order given.
+	if sn.PoolOrder != "random" || sn.AddressOrder != "reverse" || sn.Pools[0].String() != "10.0.20.100-10.0.20.110:random" || sn.Pools[1].Order != "" {
+		t.Errorf("subnet %+v", sn)
+	}
+	// "listed" and "default" are the defaults, stored as "".
+	if code := e.call(e.token, "PATCH", "/subnets/"+itoa(sn.ID), api.SubnetInput{PoolOrder: ptr("listed"), AddressOrder: ptr("default")}, nil); code != 200 {
+		t.Errorf("patch: %d", code)
+	}
+	if sn = e.eng.State().Subnets[0]; sn.PoolOrder != "" || sn.AddressOrder != "" {
+		t.Errorf("defaults %+v", sn)
+	}
+	var eb api.ErrorBody
+	if code := e.call(e.token, "PATCH", "/settings", api.SettingsInput{AddressOrder: ptr("lowest")}, &eb); code != 422 || eb.Error.Problems[0].Code != "address_order" {
+		t.Errorf("bad order: %d %+v", code, eb)
+	}
+	if code := e.call(e.token, "PATCH", "/subnets/"+itoa(sn.ID), api.SubnetInput{Pools: &[]string{"10.0.20.10-10.0.20.20:lowest"}}, nil); code != 400 {
+		t.Errorf("bad pool order: %d", code)
+	}
+}
@@ -2,13 +2,14 @@ package store

 import (
 	"context"
+	"database/sql"
 	"net/netip"
 	"time"

 	"steward/internal/model"
 )

-const leaseCols = `ip, subnet_id, mac, client_id, hostname, state, start, end, interface, updated`
+const leaseCols = `ip, subnet_id, mac, client_id, hostname, state, start, end, interface, updated, last_seen`

 // LoadLeases reads every lease.
 func (s *Store) LoadLeases(ctx context.Context) ([]*model.Lease, error) {
@@ -21,11 +22,13 @@ func (s *Store) LoadLeases(ctx context.Context) ([]*model.Lease, error) {
 	for rows.Next() {
 		l := &model.Lease{}
 		var ip, start, end, updated string
-		if err := rows.Scan(&ip, &l.SubnetID, &l.MAC, &l.ClientID, &l.Hostname, &l.State, &start, &end, &l.Interface, &updated); err != nil {
+		var seen sql.NullString
+		if err := rows.Scan(&ip, &l.SubnetID, &l.MAC, &l.ClientID, &l.Hostname, &l.State, &start, &end, &l.Interface, &updated, &seen); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
 		l.IP, _ = netip.ParseAddr(ip)
 		l.Start, l.End, l.Updated = parseTS(start), parseTS(end), parseTS(updated)
+		l.LastSeen = parseTSPtr(seen)
 		out = append(out, l)
 	}
 	return out, rows.Err()
@@ -46,10 +49,26 @@ func (s *Store) PutLeases(ctx context.Context, ls []*model.Lease) error {
 	}
 	defer tx.Rollback()
 	for _, l := range ls {
-		if _, err := tx.ExecContext(ctx, `INSERT INTO leases (`+leaseCols+`) VALUES (?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?)
+		if _, err := tx.ExecContext(ctx, `INSERT INTO leases (`+leaseCols+`) VALUES (?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?)
 			ON CONFLICT(ip) DO UPDATE SET subnet_id = excluded.subnet_id, mac = excluded.mac, client_id = excluded.client_id, hostname = excluded.hostname,
-			state = excluded.state, start = excluded.start, end = excluded.end, interface = excluded.interface, updated = excluded.updated`,
-			l.IP.String(), l.SubnetID, l.MAC, l.ClientID, l.Hostname, l.State, ts(l.Start), ts(l.End), l.Interface, ts(l.Updated)); err != nil {
+			state = excluded.state, start = excluded.start, end = excluded.end, interface = excluded.interface, updated = excluded.updated, last_seen = excluded.last_seen`,
+			l.IP.String(), l.SubnetID, l.MAC, l.ClientID, l.Hostname, l.State, ts(l.Start), ts(l.End), l.Interface, ts(l.Updated), tsPtr(l.LastSeen)); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return tx.Commit()
+}
+
+// SetLastSeen records when leases' clients answered a ping, in one
+// transaction.
+func (s *Store) SetLastSeen(ctx context.Context, seen map[netip.Addr]time.Time) error {
+	tx, err := s.db.BeginTx(ctx, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer tx.Rollback()
+	for ip, t := range seen {
+		if _, err := tx.ExecContext(ctx, `UPDATE leases SET last_seen = ? WHERE ip = ?`, ts(t), ip.String()); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ func (s *Store) LoadState(ctx context.Context) (*model.State, error) {
 	if st.Settings.Options == nil {
 		st.Settings.Options = []model.OptionValue{}
 	}
-	rows, err := s.db.QueryContext(ctx, `SELECT id, name, interface, prefix, pools, lease_time, options, disabled, comment FROM subnets ORDER BY id`)
+	rows, err := s.db.QueryContext(ctx, `SELECT id, name, interface, prefix, pools, pool_order, address_order, lease_time, options, disabled, comment FROM subnets ORDER BY id`)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ func (s *Store) LoadState(ctx context.Context) (*model.State, error) {
 		sn := &model.Subnet{}
 		var prefix, pools, opts string
 		var disabled int
-		if err := rows.Scan(&sn.ID, &sn.Name, &sn.Interface, &prefix, &pools, &sn.LeaseTime, &opts, &disabled, &sn.Comment); err != nil {
+		if err := rows.Scan(&sn.ID, &sn.Name, &sn.Interface, &prefix, &pools, &sn.PoolOrder, &sn.AddressOrder, &sn.LeaseTime, &opts, &disabled, &sn.Comment); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
 		sn.Prefix, _ = netip.ParsePrefix(prefix)
@@ -146,10 +146,10 @@ func applyChange(ctx context.Context, tx *sql.Tx, c model.Change) error {
 		if err := json.Unmarshal(c.After, &sn); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
-		_, err := tx.ExecContext(ctx, `INSERT INTO subnets (id, name, interface, prefix, pools, lease_time, options, disabled, comment) VALUES (?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?)
+		_, err := tx.ExecContext(ctx, `INSERT INTO subnets (id, name, interface, prefix, pools, pool_order, address_order, lease_time, options, disabled, comment) VALUES (?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?)
 			ON CONFLICT(id) DO UPDATE SET name = excluded.name, interface = excluded.interface, prefix = excluded.prefix, pools = excluded.pools,
-			lease_time = excluded.lease_time, options = excluded.options, disabled = excluded.disabled, comment = excluded.comment`,
-			sn.ID, sn.Name, sn.Interface, sn.Prefix.String(), jsonText(nonNil(sn.Pools)), sn.LeaseTime, jsonText(nonNilOpts(sn.Options)), boolInt(sn.Disabled), sn.Comment)
+			pool_order = excluded.pool_order, address_order = excluded.address_order, lease_time = excluded.lease_time, options = excluded.options, disabled = excluded.disabled, comment = excluded.comment`,
+			sn.ID, sn.Name, sn.Interface, sn.Prefix.String(), jsonText(nonNil(sn.Pools)), sn.PoolOrder, sn.AddressOrder, sn.LeaseTime, jsonText(nonNilOpts(sn.Options)), boolInt(sn.Disabled), sn.Comment)
 		return err
 	case model.KindReservation:
 		if c.After == nil {
@@ -197,6 +197,15 @@ ALTER TABLE tokens ADD COLUMN prev_expires_at TEXT;
 	// 3: disabled reservations.
 	`
 ALTER TABLE reservations ADD COLUMN disabled INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0;
+`,
+	// 4: when a lease's client last answered a ping.
+	`
+ALTER TABLE leases ADD COLUMN last_seen TEXT;
+`,
+	// 5: the order addresses are handed out in (a pool's own is in pools).
+	`
+ALTER TABLE subnets ADD COLUMN pool_order TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT '';
+ALTER TABLE subnets ADD COLUMN address_order TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT '';
 `,
 }

@@ -84,6 +84,9 @@ func (c *checker) settings(s model.Settings) {
 	if s.DeclineHold != 0 && (s.DeclineHold < 60 || s.DeclineHold > 30*24*3600) {
 		c.add(Error, "decline_hold_range", "settings", "the decline hold is %d seconds; use 1 minute to 30 days", s.DeclineHold)
 	}
+	if !model.ValidAddressOrder(s.AddressOrder) {
+		c.add(Error, "address_order", "settings", "the address order %q is not one of %s", s.AddressOrder, strings.Join(model.AddressOrders, ", "))
+	}
 	c.options(s.Options, "settings")
 }

@@ -173,22 +176,31 @@ func (c *checker) pools(s *model.Subnet, obj string) {
 	if len(s.Pools) == 0 && !s.Disabled {
 		c.add(Warning, "subnet_no_pools", obj, "the subnet has no pools: only clients with a reservation get an address")
 	}
+	if s.PoolOrder != "" && s.PoolOrder != model.PoolsListed && s.PoolOrder != model.PoolsRandom {
+		c.add(Error, "pool_order", obj, "the pool order %q is not listed or random", s.PoolOrder)
+	}
+	if !model.ValidAddressOrder(s.AddressOrder) {
+		c.add(Error, "address_order", obj, "the address order %q is not one of %s", s.AddressOrder, strings.Join(model.AddressOrders, ", "))
+	}
 	network, broadcast := s.Prefix.Addr(), model.Last(s.Prefix)
 	for i, p := range s.Pools {
+		if !model.ValidAddressOrder(p.Order) {
+			c.add(Error, "address_order", obj, "pool %s: the address order %q is not one of %s", p.Range(), p.Order, strings.Join(model.AddressOrders, ", "))
+		}
 		if !p.Start.Is4() || !p.End.Is4() || p.End.Less(p.Start) {
-			c.add(Error, "pool_invalid", obj, "pool %s is not a range of IPv4 addresses", p)
+			c.add(Error, "pool_invalid", obj, "pool %s is not a range of IPv4 addresses", p.Range())
 			continue
 		}
 		if !s.Prefix.Contains(p.Start) || !s.Prefix.Contains(p.End) {
-			c.add(Error, "pool_outside_subnet", obj, "pool %s is not inside %s", p, s.Prefix)
+			c.add(Error, "pool_outside_subnet", obj, "pool %s is not inside %s", p.Range(), s.Prefix)
 			continue
 		}
 		if p.Contains(network) || p.Contains(broadcast) {
-			c.add(Error, "pool_network_address", obj, "pool %s includes the network address %s or the broadcast address %s; start it at %s and end it at %s at most", p, network, broadcast, network.Next(), broadcast.Prev())
+			c.add(Error, "pool_network_address", obj, "pool %s includes the network address %s or the broadcast address %s; start it at %s and end it at %s at most", p.Range(), network, broadcast, network.Next(), broadcast.Prev())
 		}
 		for _, o := range s.Pools[:i] {
 			if o.Start.Is4() && o.End.Is4() && !(p.End.Less(o.Start) || o.End.Less(p.Start)) {
-				c.add(Error, "pool_overlap", obj, "pools %s and %s overlap", o, p)
+				c.add(Error, "pool_overlap", obj, "pools %s and %s overlap", o.Range(), p.Range())
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -221,7 +233,7 @@ func (c *checker) routers(s *model.Subnet, global []model.OptionValue, obj strin
 		}
 		for _, p := range s.Pools {
 			if p.Contains(a) {
-				c.add(Warning, "router_in_pool", obj, "the router %s is inside pool %s; it is never handed out while it answers pings, but take it out of the pool", a, p)
+				c.add(Warning, "router_in_pool", obj, "the router %s is inside pool %s; it is never handed out while it answers pings, but take it out of the pool", a, p.Range())
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -242,7 +254,7 @@ func (c *checker) hostInterface(s *model.Subnet, env *Env, obj string) {
 		if s.Prefix.Contains(a.Addr()) {
 			for _, p := range s.Pools {
 				if p.Contains(a.Addr()) {
-					c.add(Warning, "pool_includes_server", obj, "pool %s includes this server's own address %s; it is never handed out, but take it out of the pool", p, a.Addr())
+					c.add(Warning, "pool_includes_server", obj, "pool %s includes this server's own address %s; it is never handed out, but take it out of the pool", p.Range(), a.Addr())
 				}
 			}
 			return
@@ -2,16 +2,18 @@
 import { h, mount, input, select, debounce } from "../ui.js";
 import { get } from "../api.js";
 import { onLeave } from "../app.js";
+import { subnetLabel } from "../widgets.js";

 export async function render(el, params, query) {
-  const ifaces = await get("/interfaces");
+  const [ifaces, subnets] = await Promise.all([get("/interfaces"), get("/subnets")]);
+  const subnetSel = select([["", "all subnets"], ...subnets.map((s) => [String(s.id), subnetLabel(s)])], query.get("subnet") || "");
  const mac = input({ placeholder: "MAC address", value: query.get("mac") || "", class: "mono" });
  const iface = select([["", "all interfaces"], ...ifaces.filter((i) => i.subnets.length).map((i) => [i.name, i.name])], query.get("interface") || "");
  const out = h("div");
  let live = true;
  const pause = h("button", { onclick: () => { live = !live; pause.textContent = live ? "Pause" : "Resume"; } }, "Pause");
  const draw = async () => {
-    const evs = await get("/events", { mac: mac.value.trim(), interface: iface.value, limit: 300 });
+    const evs = await get("/events", { mac: mac.value.trim(), subnet: subnetSel.value, interface: iface.value, limit: 300 });
    mount(out, evs.length ? h("div", { class: "table-wrap" }, h("table", { class: "activity" },
      h("thead", null, h("tr", null, ["Time", "Interface", "Message", "Client", "Address", "Host name", ""].map((t) => h("th", null, t)))),
      h("tbody", null, evs.map((e) => {
@@ -26,14 +28,15 @@ export async function render(el, params, query) {
          h("td", { class: "mono" }, e.ip || ""),
          h("td", null, e.hostname || ""),
          h("td", { class: "detail" }, e.detail || ""));
-      })))) : h("div", { class: "empty" }, "No DHCP messages yet" + (mac.value || iface.value ? " that match." : ".")));
+      })))) : h("div", { class: "empty" }, "No DHCP messages yet" + (mac.value || subnetSel.value || iface.value ? " that match." : ".")));
  };
  mac.addEventListener("input", debounce(draw, 300));
+  subnetSel.addEventListener("change", draw);
  iface.addEventListener("change", draw);
  mount(el,
    h("div", { class: "page-head" }, h("div", { class: "grow" }, h("h1", null, "Activity"),
      h("div", { class: "muted" }, "The latest DHCP messages Steward received and sent, newest first. A MAC address leads to that client's leases; Only this follows just that client."))),
-    h("div", { class: "filter-row" }, mac, iface, pause),
+    h("div", { class: "filter-row" }, mac, subnetSel, iface, pause),
    h("div", { class: "panel" }, out));
  await draw();
  const t = setInterval(() => { if (live) draw().catch(() => {}); }, 3000);
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ export function leasesTable(leases, done, opts = {}) {
    { label: "Host name", render: leaseHost },
    { label: "State", render: (l) => [stateBadge(l.state), l.reservation ? [" ", badge("reserved", "accent")] : null] },
    { label: "Ends", render: (l) => time(l.end) },
+    { label: "Last seen", render: (l) => l.last_seen ? time(l.last_seen) : "" },
    opts.subnet ? null : { label: "Subnet", render: (l) => l.subnet || "–" },
    { label: "Interface", render: (l) => h("span", { class: "mono" }, l.interface) },
    { label: "", tdClass: "actions-cell", render: (l) => [
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 // Reservations: fixed addresses for clients.
-import { h, mount, table, input, modal, errorBox, field, confirmDialog, select, debounce, badge, checkbox } from "../ui.js";
+import { h, mount, table, time, input, modal, errorBox, field, confirmDialog, select, debounce, badge, checkbox } from "../ui.js";
 import { get, change, can } from "../api.js";
 import { optionsEditor, subnetLabel } from "../widgets.js";
+import { onLeave } from "../app.js";

 // reservationsTable lists reservations with Edit and Delete.
 export function reservationsTable(rs, done, opts = {}) {
@@ -12,7 +13,8 @@ export function reservationsTable(rs, done, opts = {}) {
    { label: "Host name", render: (r) => r.hostname || h("span", { class: "muted" }, "–") },
    opts.subnet ? null : { label: "Subnet", render: (r) => r.subnet_id ? h("a", { href: "#/subnets/" + r.subnet_id }, r.subnet) : "–" },
    { label: "Online", render: (r) => r.lease
-      ? h("span", { title: "lease until " + new Date(r.lease.end).toLocaleString() }, badge("online", "ok"), h("span", { class: "muted small" }, " on " + r.lease.interface))
+      ? h("span", { title: "lease until " + new Date(r.lease.end).toLocaleString() }, badge("online", "ok"), h("span", { class: "muted small" }, " on " + r.lease.interface),
+          r.lease.last_seen ? h("span", { class: "muted small", title: "last answered a ping" }, ", seen ", time(r.lease.last_seen)) : null)
      : badge("offline") },
    { label: "Options", render: (r) => r.options.length ? h("span", { class: "mono small" }, r.options.map((o) => o.name + "=" + o.value).join("; ")) : "" },
    { label: "Comment", render: (r) => r.comment },
@@ -86,19 +88,25 @@ export async function render(el, params, query) {
  const subnetSel = select([["", "all subnets"], ...subnets.map((s) => [String(s.id), subnetLabel(s)])], query.get("subnet") || "");
  const search = input({ type: "search", placeholder: "address, MAC or host name" });
  const out = h("div");
+  let gen = 0;
  const draw = async () => {
+    const my = ++gen;
    const q = search.value.trim().toLowerCase();
    const rs = (await get("/reservations", { subnet: subnetSel.value })).filter((r) =>
      !q || r.ip.includes(q) || (r.mac || "").includes(q) || (r.hostname || "").toLowerCase().includes(q) || (r.client_id || "").includes(q));
+    if (my !== gen) return; // a newer draw (typing, a change) won
    mount(out, reservationsTable(rs, draw, { empty: q || subnetSel.value ? "None match." : "No reservations yet." }));
  };
  subnetSel.addEventListener("change", draw);
  search.addEventListener("input", debounce(draw, 200));
  mount(el,
    h("div", { class: "page-head" },
-      h("div", { class: "grow" }, h("h1", null, "Reservations"), h("div", { class: "muted" }, "Fixed addresses for clients, by MAC address or client identifier.")),
+      h("div", { class: "grow" }, h("h1", null, "Reservations"), h("div", { class: "muted" }, "Fixed addresses for clients, by MAC address or client identifier. Refreshed every 15 seconds.")),
      can("config", true) ? h("div", { class: "actions" }, h("button", { class: "primary", onclick: () => reservationDialog(null, draw) }, "New reservation")) : null),
    h("div", { class: "filter-row" }, subnetSel, search),
    h("div", { class: "panel" }, out));
  await draw();
+  // Online and last seen change as clients come and go.
+  const t = setInterval(() => { if (!document.hidden) draw().catch(() => {}); }, 15000);
+  onLeave(() => clearInterval(t));
 }
@@ -1,19 +1,20 @@
 // Settings: the default lease time, conflict checks, authority, and the
 // options every subnet gets.
-import { h, mount, input, field, checkbox, errorBox, readOnly } from "../ui.js";
+import { h, mount, input, field, checkbox, errorBox, readOnly, select } from "../ui.js";
 import { get, change, can } from "../api.js";
-import { optionsEditor, fmtSeconds, parseSeconds } from "../widgets.js";
+import { optionsEditor, fmtSeconds, parseSeconds, ADDRESS_ORDERS } from "../widgets.js";
 import { rerender } from "../app.js";

 export async function render(el) {
  const s = await get("/settings");
  const write = can("config", true);
  const lease = input({ value: fmtSeconds(s.lease_time || 43200) });
-  const ping = checkbox("Ping an address before offering it, and skip it if something answers", s.ping_check);
+  const ping = checkbox("Ping an address before offering it, and skip it if something answers; also ping clients every minute for their last-seen time", s.ping_check);
  const timeout = input({ type: "number", min: 50, max: 5000, value: s.ping_timeout_ms || 500 });
  timeout.style.width = "7em";
  const hold = input({ value: fmtSeconds(s.decline_hold || 86400) });
  const auth = checkbox("Authoritative: refuse (NAK) requests for addresses that don't belong on the interface", !s.not_authoritative);
+  const order = select(ADDRESS_ORDERS, s.address_order || "sequential");
  const opts = await optionsEditor(s.options);
  const err = h("div");
  const save = async (dry) => {
@@ -22,7 +23,7 @@ export async function render(el) {
    if (lt === null || dh === null) { mount(err, h("div", { class: "msg err" }, "Write times as 12h, 1d or 30m.")); return; }
    try {
      const r = await change("PATCH", "/settings", { lease_time: lt, ping_check: ping.input.checked, ping_timeout_ms: parseInt(timeout.value, 10) || 0,
-        decline_hold: dh, not_authoritative: !auth.input.checked, options: opts.value() }, { query: dry ? { dry_run: 1 } : undefined });
+        decline_hold: dh, not_authoritative: !auth.input.checked, address_order: order.value, options: opts.value() }, { query: dry ? { dry_run: 1 } : undefined });
      if (!dry && r.applied) rerender();
    } catch (e) { mount(err, errorBox(e)); }
  };
@@ -35,6 +36,7 @@ export async function render(el) {
        field("Default lease time", lease, "How long clients keep an address unless a subnet says otherwise (12h, 1d). They renew halfway."),
        field("Options for every subnet", opts, "Usually domain-name-servers and domain-name; routers belong to each subnet."),
        field("Conflict check", h("div", null, ping, h("div", { class: "small" }, "wait ", timeout, " ms for an answer"))),
+        field("Address order", order, "Which address of a pool a new client gets: sequential (the lowest), reverse (the highest) or random. Only addresses never handed out count; when there are none left, the one free the longest. Subnets and pools can set their own."),
        field("Hold back for", hold, "How long an address a client declined (or one that answered a ping) isn't handed out."),
        field("Authority", auth, "Turn this off only if another DHCP server serves the same network.")),
      err,
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 // A subnet's page: its leases, its reservations and its settings.
 import { h, mount, badge, errorBox, confirmDialog, modal, input, debounce, readOnly, checkbox } from "../ui.js";
 import { get, change, can } from "../api.js";
-import { usageBar, subnetForm, fmtSeconds, subnetLabel } from "../widgets.js";
+import { usageBar, subnetForm, fmtSeconds, subnetLabel, poolText, orderText } from "../widgets.js";
 import { leasesTable } from "./leases.js";
 import { reservationsTable, reservationDialog } from "./reservations.js";
 import { rerender } from "../app.js";
@@ -19,7 +19,8 @@ export async function render(el, params) {
      h("div", { class: "grow" },
        h("h1", null, subnetLabel(s), " ", s.disabled ? badge("disabled", "off") : null),
        h("div", { class: "muted" }, "On ", h("span", { class: "mono" }, s.interface), " · pools ",
-          s.pools.length ? h("span", { class: "mono" }, s.pools.map((p) => p.start + "-" + p.end).join(", ")) : "none",
+          s.pools.length ? h("span", { class: "mono" }, s.pools.map(poolText).join(", ")) : "none",
+          orderText(s) ? " · " + orderText(s) : "",
          " · lease time ", s.lease_time ? fmtSeconds(s.lease_time) : "the default")),
      h("div", { class: "subnet-usage" }, usageBar(s.usage)),
      can("config", true) ? h("div", { class: "actions" }, h("button", {
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 // The subnets, and the New subnet dialog.
 import { h, mount, table, modal, errorBox, badge } from "../ui.js";
 import { get, change, can } from "../api.js";
-import { usageBar, subnetForm, fmtSeconds, subnetLabel } from "../widgets.js";
+import { usageBar, subnetForm, fmtSeconds, subnetLabel, poolText } from "../widgets.js";
 import { toggleSubnet } from "./subnet.js";

 export async function render(el, params, query) {
  const subnets = await get("/subnets");
-  const poolsText = (s) => s.pools.length ? s.pools.map((p) => p.start + "-" + p.end).join(", ") : "–";
+  const poolsText = (s) => s.pools.length ? s.pools.map(poolText).join(", ") : "–";
  mount(el,
    h("div", { class: "page-head" },
      h("div", { class: "grow" }, h("h1", null, "Subnets"),
@@ -342,6 +342,7 @@ button.chip:hover { background: var(--accent-soft); border-color: var(--accent);
 .pool-rows { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 6px; }
 .pool-row { display: flex; gap: 6px; align-items: center; }
 .pool-row input { font-family: var(--mono); width: 18em; }
+.pool-row select { width: auto; }
 /* Activity: one line per message. */
 table.activity td { white-space: nowrap; }
 table.activity td.detail { white-space: normal; color: var(--muted); }
@@ -114,25 +114,51 @@ const examples = {
 // ---- pools

 // poolsEditor edits a subnet's pools; value() is ["first-last", ...].
+// Each pool has its own address order, or the subnet's; ↑ moves a pool up
+// (with pools in the order listed, the first is used first).
 export function poolsEditor(pools, placeholder) {
  const rows = h("div", { class: "pool-rows" });
  const box = h("div", null, rows);
-  const list = [];
-  const addRow = (v) => {
-    const inp = input({ value: v || "", placeholder: placeholder || "10.0.10.100-10.0.10.199" });
-    const row = h("div", { class: "pool-row" }, inp,
-      h("button", { type: "button", class: "small", title: "Remove this pool", onclick: () => { row.remove(); list.splice(list.indexOf(inp), 1); } }, "✕"));
-    list.push(inp);
-    rows.append(row);
-    return inp;
+  let list = [];
+  const addRow = (v, order) => {
+    const it = { inp: input({ value: v || "", placeholder: placeholder || "10.0.10.100-10.0.10.199" }) };
+    it.sel = select([["", "subnet's order"], ...ADDRESS_ORDERS.map((o) => [o, o])], order || "", { title: "The order addresses of this pool are handed out in" });
+    it.row = h("div", { class: "pool-row" }, it.inp, it.sel,
+      h("button", { type: "button", class: "small", title: "Move this pool up: it is used before the ones below", onclick: () => {
+        const i = list.indexOf(it);
+        if (i > 0) { list.splice(i, 1); list.splice(i - 1, 0, it); rows.insertBefore(it.row, list[i].row); }
+      } }, "↑"),
+      h("button", { type: "button", class: "small", title: "Remove this pool", onclick: () => { it.row.remove(); list = list.filter((x) => x !== it); } }, "✕"));
+    list.push(it);
+    rows.append(it.row);
+    return it.inp;
  };
-  for (const p of pools || []) addRow(p.start + "-" + p.end);
+  for (const p of pools || []) addRow(p.start + "-" + p.end, p.order);
  box.append(h("button", { type: "button", class: "small", onclick: () => addRow("").focus() }, "+ Add pool"));
-  box.value = () => list.map((i) => i.value.trim()).filter((s) => s !== "");
-  box.setFirst = (v) => { if (!list.length) addRow(v); else if (!list[0].value) list[0].value = v; };
+  box.value = () => list.map((it) => {
+    const v = it.inp.value.trim();
+    return v && it.sel.value && !v.includes(":") ? v + ":" + it.sel.value : v;
+  }).filter((s) => s !== "");
+  box.setFirst = (v) => { if (!list.length) addRow(v); else if (!list[0].inp.value) list[0].inp.value = v; };
  return box;
 }

+export const ADDRESS_ORDERS = ["sequential", "reverse", "random"];
+
+// poolText shows a pool, with its own address order.
+export function poolText(p) {
+  return p.start + "-" + p.end + (p.order ? " (" + p.order + ")" : "");
+}
+
+// orderText says how a subnet hands out new addresses, or "" for the
+// defaults.
+export function orderText(s) {
+  const parts = [];
+  if (s.pool_order === "random") parts.push("a pool at random");
+  if (s.address_order) parts.push(s.address_order + " addresses");
+  return parts.join(", ");
+}
+
 // ---- the subnet form

 // v4 helpers for suggestions.
@@ -163,6 +189,8 @@ export async function subnetForm(sn, settings) {
  const ifaceOther = input({ value: sn && !ifaceNames.includes(sn.interface) ? sn.interface : "", placeholder: "eth0.30 (one that comes up later)" });
  const prefix = input({ value: sn ? sn.prefix : "", placeholder: "10.0.10.0/24", class: "mono" });
  const pools = poolsEditor(sn ? sn.pools : []);
+  const poolOrder = select([["", "in the order listed"], ["random", "at random (weighted by free addresses)"]], sn ? sn.pool_order || "" : "");
+  const addrOrder = select([["", "the settings' (" + (settings.address_order || "sequential") + ")"], ...ADDRESS_ORDERS.map((o) => [o, o])], sn ? sn.address_order || "" : "");
  const lease = input({ value: sn ? fmtSeconds(sn.lease_time) : "", placeholder: "the default: " + fmtSeconds(settings.lease_time || 43200) });
  const opts = await optionsEditor(sn ? sn.options : [], settings.options);
  const comment = input({ value: sn ? sn.comment : "" });
@@ -192,6 +220,8 @@ export async function subnetForm(sn, settings) {
    field("Interface", h("div", null, ifaceSel, " ", ifaceOther)), ifaceHint,
    field("Network", prefix, "The subnet's prefix; the mask clients get comes from it."),
    field("Pools", pools, "Ranges handed out to any client: FIRST-LAST, or a prefix. Reserved addresses inside a pool are never handed out to others."),
+    field("Pool order", poolOrder, "Which pool a new client's address comes from."),
+    field("Address order", addrOrder, "Which address of a pool: sequential (the lowest), reverse (the highest) or random. A pool can set its own. New clients get an address never handed out before; when there are none, the one free the longest. Returning clients keep theirs."),
    field("Lease time", lease, "12h, 1d, 30m; empty for the default."),
    field("Options", opts),
    field("Comment", comment),
@@ -199,7 +229,7 @@ export async function subnetForm(sn, settings) {
  grid.values = () => {
    const lt = parseSeconds(lease.value);
    if (lt === null) throw new Error("Lease time: write it as 12h, 1d or 30m");
-    const v = { name: name.value.trim(), interface: ifaceValue(), prefix: prefix.value.trim(), pools: pools.value(), lease_time: lt, options: opts.value(), comment: comment.value };
+    const v = { name: name.value.trim(), interface: ifaceValue(), prefix: prefix.value.trim(), pools: pools.value(), pool_order: poolOrder.value || "listed", address_order: addrOrder.value || "default", lease_time: lt, options: opts.value(), comment: comment.value };
    if (sn) v.disabled = disabled.input.checked;
    return v;
  };
@@ -178,12 +178,24 @@ run "undo the lease time change" 0 S history undo $(S history list -o json | gre
 run "lease time back" 0 S subnet show iot
 contains "Lease time: *1h"

+# ---- last seen: a client that stays up answers pings
+
+# busybox's default script puts the leased address on the interface.
+docker run -d --name ${P}-live --network ${P}-b --mac-address 02:00:00:00:00:30 --cap-add NET_ADMIN steward-e2e-client \
+	udhcpc -i eth0 -f -x hostname:live >/dev/null
+for i in $(seq 1 20); do S lease list | grep -q " live " && break; sleep 0.5; done
+
 # ---- restart: leases survive

 docker exec ${P}-srv sh -c 'kill $(pidof stewardd)'; sleep 1
 run "restart stewardd" 0 start
 run "leases after the restart" 0 S lease list
 contains "$NA.101 *02:00:00:00:00:01 *laptop *active"
+# A ping round runs at start (then every minute).
+sleep 2
+run "last seen" 0 S lease list
+contains "live *active *in [0-9hm]* *now *eth1"
+contains "laptop *active *in [0-9hm]* *- *eth0"
 run "the client still gets its address" 0 udhcpc a 02:00:00:00:00:01
 contains "BOUND ip=$NA.101 "

@@ -208,6 +220,20 @@ run "delete a lease" 0 S lease delete $NA.101 --yes
 run "audit log" 0 S audit --action lease.
 contains "lease.delete"

+# ---- address order
+
+run "reverse address order" 0 S subnet update iot --address-order reverse
+run "the subnet shows its order" 0 S subnet show iot
+contains "addresses reverse"
+run "a new client gets the highest never-used address" 0 udhcpc b 02:00:00:00:00:40
+contains "BOUND ip=$NB.110 "
+run "a pool's own order wins" 0 S subnet update iot --add-pool $NB.100-$NB.110:sequential
+run "the pool shows it" 0 S subnet show iot
+contains "$NB.100-$NB.110:sequential"
+run "now the lowest never-used one" 0 udhcpc b 02:00:00:00:00:41
+contains "BOUND ip=$NB.10[0-8] "
+run "an unknown order is refused" 1 S subnet update iot --add-pool $NB.100-$NB.110:lowest
+
 # ---- backup

 run "backup" 0 docker exec ${P}-srv /w/stewardd -c /w/steward.yaml backup
Author	SHA1	Message	Date
abrown38andClaude Opus 5.5	abb2ee0fd7	Release 0.1.0-rc.1 release / release (push) Successful in 57s Details Steward 0.1.0's first release candidate: a DHCPv4 server with subnets per interface, reservations, a web UI, REST API and CLI, Kea import, the web UI's certificate through Jarl, clients' last-seen times, the activity log by subnet, hidden interfaces, and the address order per subnet and pool. make test and make e2e (121 checks with udhcpc and dhcpcd) pass. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>	2026-10-18 18:15:02 +01:00
abrown38andClaude Opus 5.5	8ee430276c	Address order: sequential, reverse or random, per subnet and pool - Which never-used pool address a new client gets: sequential (the lowest, as before), reverse or random, in the settings, a subnet or a single pool (FIRST-LAST:ORDER). When no never-used address is left, the one free the longest, whatever the order; returning clients keep theirs. - A subnet's pools are used in the order listed, or one at random weighted by its never-used addresses. Pools now keep the order they are given in (no more sorting by address). - CLI --address-order and --pool-order; --add-pool of an existing range changes its order in place. Web UI: per-pool order and a move-up button, pool and address order on the subnet and settings pages. - Kea's allocator: random is imported. Schema migration 5. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>	2026-10-18 18:13:25 +01:00
abrown38andClaude Opus 5.5	29fc991ce1	Reservations page refreshes itself every 15 seconds Online and last-seen times stay current. A newer draw (typing, a change) wins over a slower older one; no refresh while the tab is hidden. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>	2026-10-18 18:03:06 +01:00
abrown38andClaude Opus 5.5	5e6c61cc8e	Hidden interfaces, last-seen pings, activity by subnet - interfaces.exclude in steward.yaml (names or shell patterns) leaves interfaces out of GET /interfaces, the web UI's picker and 'steward interface list'. Subnets on them are still served. - With the ping check on, active leases are pinged every minute; a client that answers gets a last-seen time (leases.last_seen, migration 4). Not answering never takes a client offline. - The activity log filters by subnet (--subnet, the Activity page, GET /events?subnet=). Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>	2026-10-18 17:50:21 +01:00