DHCP concepts

 

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) provides an automated method for dynamic client configuration. Here are some DHCP-related concepts to help you better understand DHCP.

• DHCP client/server interaction
  The interaction between Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) clients and servers enables a client to obtain its IP address and corresponding configuration information from a DHCP server.

• Leases
  When DHCP sends configuration information to a client, the information is sent with a lease time. This is the length of time that the client can use the IP address it has been assigned. The duration of the lease time can be changed according to your specific requirement.

• Relay agents and routers
  Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) relay agents and routers can be used to efficiently and securely transfer data throughout the network.

• DHCP client support
  A DHCP server enables you to manage each client in your network individually, rather than managing all of the clients as a large group (subnet).

• BOOTP
  The Bootstrap Protocol (BOOTP) is a host configuration protocol that was used before the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) was developed. BOOTP support is a subset of DHCP.

• Dynamic updates
  A Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server can be configured to work with a Domain Name System (DNS) server to dynamically update the client information in the DNS when DHCP assigns the client an IP address.

• DHCP options lookup
  Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) has many configuration options that can be sent to the clients when they request information from the DHCP server. You can use a lookup tool to see all of the DHCP options.

 

Parent topic:

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol