
MES3000 Ethernet switch series
179
5.24.3
DHCP protocol management and Option 82
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is a network protocol that allows the client to request
IP address and other parameters required for the proper network operations.
DHCP is used by hackers for attacks on the device from the client side, forcing DHCP server to report
all available addresses, and from the server side by spoofing. The switch software ensures device
protection from attacks via DHCP with DHCP snooping.
The device will be able to discover DHCP servers in the network and will ensure their utilization only
via trusted interfaces. Also it can control client access to DHCP servers using the match table.
DHCP Option 82 allows to inform DHCP server about the DHCP Relay Agent and its port that were
involved in transmission of the particular request. It is used for establishing matches between IP addresses
and switch port, and ensuring protection from attacks via DHCP. Option 82 contains additional
information (device name, port number) added by the switch working in DHCP Relay agent mode, in the
form of DHCP request received from the client. According to this option, DHCP server issues IP address (IP
address range) and other parameters to the switch port. When the necessary data is received from the
server, DHCP Relay agent issues IP address and send other necessary data to the client.
Table 5.210 —Option 82 field format
Field
Information sent
Circuit ID
device hostname
string appearance: eth <stacked/slotid/interfaceid>:<vlan>
The last byte—number of the port that the device, which sent dhcp request, is connected to
Remote agent ID
Enterprise number – 0089c1
Device MAC address
In order to use Option 82, the device should have DHCP relay agent function enabled. To
enable DHCP relay agent function, use 'ip dhcp relay enable' command in the global
configuration mode (see the respective section of the operation manual).
To ensure the correct operation of DHCP Snooping feature, all utilized DHCP servers should be
connected to trusted switch ports. To add port into the trusted port list, use 'ip dhcp snooping
trust' command in the interface configuration mode. To ensure proper protection, all other
switch ports should be deemed as 'untrusted'.
Global configuration mode commands
Command line request in global configuration mode appears as follows:
console(config)#
Table 5.211 —Global configuration mode commands
Command
Value/Default value
Action
ip dhcp snooping
DHCP protocol
management is enabled by
default.
Enable DHCP management for the switch.
no ip dhcp snooping
Disable DHCP management for the switch.
ip dhcp snooping vlan
vlan_id
vlan_id: 1..4094
DHCP protocol
management is enabled by
default.
Enable DHCP management in the scope of specific VLAN.
no ip dhcp snooping vlan
vlan_id
Disable DHCP management in the scope of specific VLAN.
ip dhcp snooping
information option
By default, reception of
DHCP packets with Option
Allow to receive DHCP packets with Option 82 from untrusted
ports.