active NIC required to manage DHCP server?

I've found that I can not manage my Win 2003 DHCP server unless the NIC it
uses detects that it is on an active network. Rack mounted switches are at
the center of my network and when the main chassis power is turned off, as
must occur frequently during development, the server NIC sees no carrier
coming from the opposite end and it prevents me from doing management. Such
a restriction seems not only unnecessary but undesirable since it is
sensible to make configuration changes to the server at times when the
active network will not be affected. What is the reasoning behind this
restriction and is there a way to overcome it?

RHL