DHCP Configuration
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31. DHCP Configuration
31.1
Introduction to DHCP
DHCP [RFC2131] is the acronym for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. It is a
protocol that assigns IP address dynamically from the address pool as well as other
network configuration parameters such as default gateway, DNS server, and default route
and host image file position within the network. DHCP is the enhanced version of BOOTP.
It is a mainstream technology that can not only provide boot information for diskless
workstations, but can also release the administrators from manual recording of IP
allocation and reduce user effort and cost on configuration. Another benefit of DHCP is it
can partially ease the pressure on IP demands, when the user of an IP leaves the network
that IP can be assigned to another user.
DHCP is a client-server protocol, the DHCP client requests the network address and
configuration parameters from the DHCP server; the server provides the network address
and configuration parameters for the clients; if DHCP server and clients are located in
different subnets, DHCP relay is required for DHCP packets to be transferred between the
DHCP client and DHCP server. The implementation of DHCP is shown below:
Fig 31-1 DHCP protocol interaction
Explanation:
1
．
DHCP client broadcasts DHCPDISCOVER packets in the local subnet.
2
．
On receiving the DHCPDISCOVER packet, DHCP server sends a DHCPOFFER
packet along with IP address and other network parameters to the DHCP client.
3
．
DHCP client broadcast DHCPREQUEST packet with the information for the DHCP
server it selected after selecting from the DHCPOFFER packets.
4
．
The DHCP server selected by the client sends a DHCPACK packet and the client gets
an IP address and other network configuration parameters.
The above four steps finish a Dynamic host configuration assignment process.
DHCP CLIENT
DHCP SERVER
Discover
Offer
Request
Ack