DHCP Basic Operation (En)

Netmanias Technical Document: Understanding the Basic Operations of DHCP
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Understanding the Basic Operations of DHCP

Table of Contents
I.
Introduction
II.
IP Address Allocation/Lease Procedure
III.
IP Address Renewal Procedure
IV.
IP Address Release Procedure
V.
Summary and Conclusion
VI.
Closing
Appendices
Appendix A - Format of DHCP Messages in IP Address Allocation/Lease
Procedure
Appendix B - Format of DHCP Messages in IP Address Renewal Procedure
Appendix C - Format of DHCP Messages in IP Address Release Procedure
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is a protocol used by DHCP servers in wired/wireless IP
networks to dynamically allocate a variety of network configuration data, such as a user IP address, subnet
mask, default gateway IP address, DNS server IP address, lease time and so on, to client devices (DHCP
clients). The DHCP protocol enables DHCP clients to dynamically configure such network configuration
data without any manual setup process, which makes network management much easier.
This document provides fundamentals of basic DHCP operation in relation to IP address allocation, IP
address lease renewal and IP address release procedures based on the DHCP protocol in detail.
October 23, 2013
www.netmanias.com
NMC Consulting Group (tech@netmanias.com)
About NMC Consulting Group

NMC Consulting Group is an advanced and professional network consulting company, specializing in IP network areas (e.g., FTTH, Metro Ethernet and IP/MPLS), service
areas (e.g., IPTV, IMS and CDN), and wireless network areas (e.g., Mobile WiMAX, LTE and Wi-Fi) since 2002.
Copyright 2002-2013 NMC Consulting Group. All rights reserved.
Abbreviations
ACK
DHCP
DSCP
IHL
IP
UDP
TCP
TOS
TTL
Acknowledgement
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
Differentiated Services Code Point
Internet Header Length
Internet Protocol
User Datagram Protocol
Transmission Control Protocol
Type of Service
Time To Live
I. Introduction
As we need a phone number to make a call to someone, we need an address to communicate with a
network host over the Internet. This address is called an "Internet Protocol (IP) address". Generally, IP
addresses are dynamically allocated to clients accessing the Internet, through Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol (DHCP), a protocol designed for dynamic allocation of IP addresses, as defined in
[1].
DHCP adopts the concept of a lease in IP allocation. This means, a DHCP server does not allocate an IP
address to a client permanently. What it does instead is set a lease duration and allow the client to use
the allocated IP address only during the set lease duration. If the client wishes to use the allocated IP
address for longer than the lease duration, it should request the DHCP server for renewal of the lease. If
not, it performs an IP address release procedure instead.
This document is organized as follows: Chapter II will explain the procedure for allocating/leasing IP
addresses, and Chapter III and Chapter IV will describe the procedure for extending the lease time of, and
releasing allocated IP addresses, respectively. Chapter V will summarize all DHCP procedures covered in
the previous chapters. Finally, in Appendices, specific message parameters used in each DHCP procedure
will be discussed.
II. IP Address Allocation/Lease Procedure

As shown in Figure 1 below, the following four basic phases are required in DHCP operations between a DHCP
server and DHCP client (e.g. a PC) in order for the client to get/lease network configuration data, such as IP
address from the DHCP server.
PC MAC=m1
DHCP Server IP=1.1.1.254

DHCP Server MAC=m2
PC
DHCP
1 DHCP Discover
Hello, Any DHCP server available out there? Answer me if you hear me!"
Ethernet Header {DA=FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF, SA=m1}, IP Header {SIP=0.0.0.0, DIP=255.255.255.255},

DHCP Payload {Client MAC=m1}
I can hear you! My IP address is 1.1.1.254. I can allocate/lease an IP

address, 1.1.1.10, to you
2 DHCP Offer

DHCP Payload {Your IP=1.1.1.10, Client MAC=m1, Subnet Mask(1)=255.255.255.0, Router(3)=1.1.1.1,
DNS(6)=10.1.1.1 & 10.1.1.2, IP Lease Time(51)=3,600s, DHCP Server Identifier(54)=1.1.1.254}
3 DHCP Request
Thank you for your response. Then, can you, at IP address is 1.1.1.254,
allocate/lease the IP address to me?

DHCP Payload {Client MAC=m1, Requested IP Address(50)=1.1.1.10, DHCP Server Identifier(54)=1.1.1.254}
Sure, I can lease you all network configuration data, including your IP
address. The IP lease time is one hour.
4 DHCP Ack

DHCP Payload {Your IP=1.1.1.10, Client MAC=m1, Subnet Mask(1)=255.255.255.0, Router(3)=1.1.1.1,
DNS(6)=10.1.1.1 & 10.1.1.2, IP Lease Time(51)=3,600s, DHCP Server Identifier(54)=1.1.1.254}
IP address=1.1.1.10 allocation completed
Internet Access
SIP=1.1.1.10
Figure 1. IP address allocation/lease procedure using DHCP
1.
DHCP Discover
When a client (PC) is booted, it broadcasts a DHCP Discover message over the Ethernet network to locate
all available DHCP servers on the same subnet network (by setting the destination MAC address in the
Ethernet header as Broadcast MAC=FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF), reaching all the DHCP servers on the same subnet
network.
2.
DHCP Offer
When a DHCP server receives the DHCP Discover message from the client, it also broadcasts a DHCP Offer
message over the Ethernet network (because the client IP address has not been allocated yet), informing
the client that it is available. This message contains the network information, such as client IP address,
subnet mask, default gateway IP address, DNS IP address, IP lease time and DHCP server IP address. The
DHCP Offer message broadcasted is delivered to all the clients on the same subnet network, including the
one that sent the DHCP Discover message.
3.
DHCP Request
The client, having received the DHCP Offer message, recognizes there is a DHCP server available on the
same subnet. Then it broadcasts a DHCP Request message to the server over the Ethernet network,
requesting network configuration data including an IP address for itself. If more than one DHCP server
responds on the same subnet and hence the client receives multiple DHCP Offer messages, it selects one
of the DHCP servers, and enters the IP address of the selected DHCP server in the DHCP Server Identifier
(option 54) field of the DHCP Request message. Then it informs all the DHCP servers on the subnet
network about such selection by broadcasting the DHCP Request message. Typically, all DHCP servers
internally store the network configuration data (i.e. IP address for the client and other information) when
they send a DHCP Offer message. So, the client broadcasts the DHCP Request message to all the DHCP
servers, so that those not selected can also receive the message and delete the stored network
configuration data from their memory.
4.
DHCP Ack
The DHCP server which received the DHCP Request message from the client checks if the IP address
shown in the DHCP Server Identifier (option 54) field matches its own. If it does, it broadcasts a DHCP Ack
message ensuring the client can receive the message (Note: the client has NOT been allocated an IP
address yet).
At this time, the DHCP server transfers all the network configuration data including the client IP address
the same data sent along with the DHCP Offer message - to the client. Then the client configures a
network interface using the transferred data, finally connecting to the Internet. The typical network
configuration data includes:
IP address
Subnet mask
Default gateway IP address

3
DNS server IP address
Lease time (during which a client can use the IP address allocated/leased by a DHCP server)
The Figure 2 shows the network configuration of a PC client (Windows 7) of which IP allocation procedure
is completed.
C:\Users\netmanias>ipconfig /all
Windows IP Configuration
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . .
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . .
Auto configuration Enabled. .
IPv4 Address . . . . . . . . . . . .
Subnet Mask. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . . .
Lease Expires. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . .
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DNS Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
: Marvell Yukon 88E8055 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller

: 00-17-42-C1-C8-F7
: Yes
: Yes
: 1.1.1.10 (Preferred)
: 255.255.255.0
: 2011. 2. 3 Thur. AM 9:00:00
: 2011. 2. 3 Thur. AM 10:00:00
: 1.1.1.1
: 1.1.1.254
: 10.1.1.1
10.1.1.2
Figure 2. Network configuration of a PC client (Windows 7)
III. IP Address Renewal Procedure

A DHCP Ack message is the last message sent in the IP address allocation/lease procedure. It contains the IP
Lease Time (option 51) parameter, and a client can use an allocated IP address (e.g. 1.1.1.10 in Figure 3) only
for the time period (lease duration) specified in the option parameter. Thus, to use the IP address beyond the
lease duration, the client has to request approval from the DHCP server to renew the IP address as shown in
Figure 3.
PC MAC=m1

DHCP Server MAC=m2
PC
DHCP
t=0
DHCP Ack
DHCP Payload {Your IP=1.1.1.10, Server IP=1.1.1.254, Client MAC=m1, Subnet Mask(1)=255.255.255.0,
Router(3)=1.1.1.1, DNS(6)=10.1.1.1 & 10.1.1.2, IP Lease Time(51)=3,600s, DHCP Server Identifier(54)=1.1.1.254}
Internet Access
SIP=1.1.1.10
...
t=1,800s
IP Renewal Time
= IP Lease Time / 2
= 3,600s / 2 = 1,800s
1 DHCP Request
Id like to extend the lease time for IP=1.1.1.10. Can you give me
permission?
Ethernet Header {DA=m2, SA=m1}, IP Header {SIP=1.1.1.10, DIP=1.1.1.254},

DHCP Payload {Client IP=1.1.1.10, Client MAC=m1}
2 DHCP Ack
OK, Use IP address=1.1.1.10/24 for one more hour

DHCP Payload {Client IP=1.1.1.10, Your IP=1.1.1.10, Client MAC=m1, Subnet Mask(1)=255.255.255.0,
Router(3)=1.1.1.1, DNS(6)=10.1.1.1 & 10.1.1.2, IP Lease Time(51)=3,600s, DHCP Server Identifier(54)=1.1.1.254}
IP address=1.1.1.10 renewal completed
Internet Access
SIP=1.1.1.10
Figure 3. IP address lease renewal procedure using DHCP
1.
DHCP Request
In Figure 3, the lease time is given as 1 hour. When half of it has passed (i.e. 1,800 seconds/30 minutes in
Figure 3), the client sends a DHCP Request message to the DHCP server to renew its lease time (Note: In
case of IP renewal, no DHCP Discover/Offer process is required). Unlike in the IP address allocation/lease
procedure, the client does not broadcast the DHCP Request message (Destination MAC=FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF,
Destination IP=255.255.255.255), but unicasts it (Destination MAC=DHCP Server MAC (m2), Destination
IP=DHCP Server IP (1.1.1.254)). That is because the DHCP server and client have already known each
others IP address. The DHCP Request message for IP address renewal should include the IP address of
the client requesting the renewal in the Client IP Address (ciaddr) field, but should exclude Requested IP
Address (option 50) and DHCP Sever Identifier (option 54) fields.
2.
DHCP Ack
Upon accepting the DHCP Request message (for IP address renewal) received from the client, the DHCP
server also unicasts, and does not broadcast, a DHCP Ack message (Destination MAC=PC MAC (m1),
Destination IP=PC IP (1.1.1.10)), including network configuration data such as the client IP address, subnet
mask, default gateway IP address, DNS IP address and lease time, to the client. Once this process is
completed, the client can keep its current IP address for the extended lease time as specified in the DHCP
Ack message.
IV. IP Address Release Procedure

When a client is shut down gracefully,1 or ipconfig/release command is entered in the DOS command
window of Windows, the client unicasts a DHCP Request message to the DHCP server in order to return its
allocated IP address, as seen in Figure 4. Then it releases the network configuration data (i.e. client IP address,
subnet mask, default gateway IP address, DNS IP address, etc.), consequently having no access to the Internet
any more.
PC MAC=m1

DHCP Server MAC=m2
PC
DHCP
Internet Access
SIP=1.1.1.10
...
DHCP client shut down (or ipconfig /release)
1 DHCP Release
I wont use IP=1.1.1.10/24 any more

DHCP Payload {Client IP=1.1.1.10, Client MAC=m1, DHCP Server Identifier(54)=1.1.1.254}
IP address=1.1.1.10 release completed
Figure 4. IP address release procedure using DHCP
Our internal self-test result shows that a Windows 7 client PC does NOT send a DHCP Release message even after a normal
log-off (power off). Thus, the client PC releases the allocated IP address to the DHCP server upon the expiration of the specified
lease time.
5
1.
DHCP Release
If the client does not need its allocated IP address any longer, it unicasts a DHCP Release message
(Destination MAC=DHCP Server MAC (m2), Destination IP=DHCP Server IP (1.1.1.254)) to the DHCP server.
The server then releases the client IP address (1.1.1.10) listed in the Client IP field of the received
message.
V. Summary and Conclusion

This chapter summarizes the basic DHCP procedures: 1) IP address allocation/lease, 2) IP address renewal and
3) IP address release. Figure 5 shows a message flow diagram illustrating all these DHCP procedures.
IP
Allocation
IP
Renewal
IP
Release
t
er
Req
Rele
(PC IP) ase
Internet Access
DHCP
(PC IP)uest
DHCP
Of f e r
t
eques
HCP R HCP1)
Discov
DHCP
DHCP
(Serve Request
r ID=D
HCP1)
Discov
DHCP
(P
IP Renewal Time
Ack
DHCCPIP)
Internet Access
IP Allocated
D r ID=D
(Serve
DHCP
DHCP2
Ack
DHCePase Time)
Offer
DHCP Client Boot
PC
L
(PC IP,
DHCP
er
DHCP1
DHCP Client Shut Down
Renewal Time = Lease Time / 2
Discard because
Server ID != DHCP2
t
Broadcast Mesasge
Unicast Message
Figure 5. Summary of DHCP protocol procedures
IP address allocation/lease: Once a DHCP client is booted up, it broadcasts a DHCP Discover message,
and in respond to the message, a DHCP server broadcasts a DHCP Offer message. In case there is more
than one DHCP server on the subnet, the client selects one of the servers, and broadcasts a DHCP
Request message with the information of the selected server entered in the DHCP Server Identifier
(option 54) field. Finally, the client receives network configuration data such as client IP address, subnet
mask, default gateway IP address, DNS IP address, IP lease time from the server, and configures its
network interfaces using the data.
IP address renewal: When half of the lease time set through IP address allocation/lease procedure has
passed, it unicasts a DHCP Request message to the DHCP server for renewal of its IP address. The DHCP
server, upon receiving the DHCP Request message, accepts the request by responding with a unicast
DHCP Ack message.
IP address release: Once the client is logged-off, it returns the allocated IP address to the DHCP server by
unicasting a DHCP Release message to the DHCP server.
VI. Closing
This document is the first in our technical documents series about DHCP and has so far explained the basic
operations of DHCP. It has covered only the fundamentals and will be used as a reference for subsequent
technical documents in the DHCP series.
The DHCP technical documents series will cover the following topics:
1) Detailed DHCP technology defined in RFC 2131.
2) Concept of DHCP Relay Agent and DHCP Proxy Agent.
3) Client IP address allocation procedure through DHCP in operator networks (Note: Many telecom
operators are facing issues with subscriber identification and authentication, DHCP security, DHCP
message broadcasting, etc.).
4) Plan for integrated management of IP address in an enterprise or in a distributed enterprise network
having a head office and multiple branches.
References
[1] R, Droms, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, RFC 2131, Standard, March 1997.
[2] S. Alexander and R. Droms, DHCP Options and BOOTP Vendor Extension, RFC 2132, Standard,
March 1997.
Appendix A - Format of DHCP Messages in IP Address Allocation/Lease Procedure

DHCP Discover Message
0B
2B
4B
Destination MAC Address = FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF (Broadcast)
Ethernet
Source MAC Address = PC MAC Address (m1)
PC
EtherType = 0x0800 (IP)

Ver = 4 IHL = 5
TOS
Identification
DHCP Discover
Ethernet Header {DA=FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF, SA=m1},
IP Header {SIP=0.0.0.0, DIP=255.255.255.255},
Total Length
Flags
Protocol=17(UDP)
Fragment Offset
Header Checksum
IP
TTL
DHCP
Source IP Address = 0.0.0.0
DHCP Offer
Destination IP Address = 255.255.255.255

Destination Port = 67 (bootps)
UDP Length
UDP Checksum
OP code=1(Req.) HW Type=Ethernet HW Length = 6
UDP
Source Port = 68 (bootpc)
HOPS

IP Header {SIP=1.1.1.254, DIP=255.255.255.255},
DHCP Payload {Your IP=1.1.1.10, Client MAC=m1,
Subnet Mask(1)=255.255.255.0, Router(3)=1.1.1.1,
DNS(6)=10.1.1.1 & 10.1.1.2, IP Lease Time(51)=3,600s,
DHCP Server Identifier(54)=1.1.1.254}
Transaction ID (xid)
Seconds
Broadcast Flag (1b)
DHCP Request
Client IP address (ciaddr) = 0.0.0.0

Your IP Address (yiaddr) = 0.0.0.0
Client Hardware Address (16B) (chaddr) = PC MAC Address (m1)

Server Name (64B) (sname)
Filename (128B)
DHCP Message Payload
Server IP address (siaddr) = 0.0.0.0

Gateway IP Address (giaddr) = 0.0.0.0

IP Header {SIP=0.0.0.0, DIP=255.255.255.255},
DHCP Payload {Client MAC=m1, Requested IP Address(50)=1.1.1.10,
DHCP Ack
IP Header {SIP=1.1.1.254, DIP=255.255.255.255},
DHCP Message Type (Option 53) = 1 (DHCP Discover)

Client Identifier (Option 51) = PC MAC Address (m1)
Parameter Request List (Option 55) = Option 1, 3, 6, ...
Figure 6. IP address allocation/lease procedure: DHCP Discover message

Ethernet Header
Destination MAC Address: As the client is NOT aware of the MAC address of a DHCP server, it floods a DHCP Discover message on the
Ethernet network using a broadcast MAC address (0xFFFFFFFFFFFF).
Source MAC Address: The source MAC address on the Ethernet is always the address of a packet sender. Thus, this field is the MAC
address of the client (m1).
EtherType: Indicates that the header is followed by an IP packet (IP=0x0800, ARP=0x0806, etc).
IP Header
Protocol ID: Indicates that the header is followed by a UDP packet (UDP=17, TCP=6, etc).
Source IP Address: Is set to 0.0.0.0 because no IP address is allocated to the client.
Destination IP Address: The client is NOT aware of the IP address of a DHCP server so it floods a DHCP Discover message over the IP
network using a broadcast IP address (255.255.255.255).
UDP Header
Source Port: Indicates that the DHCP message sender is the DHCP client (68=BOOTP Client), so the client always sends the message with
Source Port=68.
Destination Port: Indicates that the DHCP message receiver is the DHCP server (67=BOOTP Server), so the server always sends the
message with Destination Port=67.
Client MAC Address (chaddr): The MAC address of the client (m1).
DHCP Message Type (option 53): Indicates that the DHCP message type is DHCP Discover (Value=1).
Client Identifier (option 51): Serves as an indicator to distinguish clients, and generally contains the MAC address of the client (m1). The
DHCP server distinguishes one client from another based on the values in this field.
Parameter Request List (option 55): Contains the network information list (DHCP option List) that the client needs to obtain from the
DHCP Server. For example, it requests subnet mask, default GW IP address, DNS IP address and so on.
DHCP Offer Message

0B
2B
4B
Ethernet
Source MAC Address = DHCP Server MAC Address (m2)
PC

Ver = 4 IHL = 5
TOS
Identification
DHCP Discover
IP Header {SIP=0.0.0.0, DIP=255.255.255.255},
Total Length
Flags
Protocol=17(UDP)
Fragment Offset
Header Checksum
IP
TTL
DHCP
Source IP Address = DHCP Server IP Address (1.1.1.254)
DHCP Offer

Destination Port = 68 (bootpc)
UDP Length
UDP Checksum
OP code=2(Reply) HW Type=Ethernet HW Length = 6
UDP
Source Port = 67 (bootps)
HOPS

IP Header {SIP=1.1.1.254, DIP=255.255.255.255},
Seconds
Broadcast Flag (1b)
DHCP Request
IP Header {SIP=0.0.0.0, DIP=255.255.255.255},


Filename (128B)
DHCP Message Type (Option 53) = 2 (DHCP Offer)
DHCP Ack
IP Header {SIP=1.1.1.254, DIP=255.255.255.255},
Subnet Mask (Option 1) = 255.255.255.0 (/24)

Router IP (Option 3) = 1.1.1.1
Domain Name Server IP (Option 6) = 10.1.1.1, 10.1.1.2
IP Address Lease Time (Option 51) = 3,600 seconds (1 hour)
DHCP Server Identifier (Option 54) = 1.1.1.254
Figure 7. IP address allocation/lease procedure: DHCP Offer message

Ethernet Header
Destination MAC Address: The DHCP server broadcasts a DHCP Offer message over the Ethernet network.
IP Header
Source IP Address: The IP address of a DHCP server (1.1.1.254)
Destination IP Address: As the client is NOT aware of the IP address of the DHCP server, it floods a DHCP Discover message over the IP
UDP Header
Source Port: Indicates that the DHCP message sender is the DHCP server, so the server always sends the message with Source Port=67.
Destination Port: Indicates that the DHCP message receiver is the DHCP client, so the client always sends the message with Destination
Port=68.
Your IP Address (yiaddr): The IP address to be used by the client (1.1.1.10).
DHCP Message Type (option 53): Indicates that the DHCP message type is DHCP Offer (Value=2).
Subnet Mask (option 1): The subnet mask to be used by the client (255.255.255.0 (/24)).
Router IP (option 3): The IP address (1.1.1.1) of the default gateway (the first router or L3 switch seen by the client to get to the Internet).
Domain Name Server IP (option 6): The IP address of the DNS server to be used by the client. Normally, it provides two IP addresses,
primary DNS IP address (10.1.1.1) and secondary DNS IP address (10.1.1.2), together.
IP Address Lease Time (option 51): The lease time during which the client is allowed to use the IP address allocated by DHCP server (3,600
sec. (1 hour)). At the mid-point of the lease time (30 minutes), the client begins its IP address renewal procedure.
DHCP Server Identifier (option 54): The IP address of the DHCP server that sent the DHCP Offer message (1.1.1.254). In case multiple DHCP
servers on the same subnet send DHCP Offer messages to the client, the client distinguishes servers based on the values in this field.
DHCP Request Message

0B
2B
4B

Ethernet
PC

Ver = 4 IHL = 5
TOS
Identification
DHCP Discover
IP Header {SIP=0.0.0.0, DIP=255.255.255.255},
Total Length
Flags
Protocol=17(UDP)
Fragment Offset
Header Checksum
IP
TTL
DHCP
Source IP Address = 0.0.0.0
DHCP Offer

UDP Length
UDP Checksum
UDP
HOPS

IP Header {SIP=1.1.1.254, DIP=255.255.255.255},
Seconds
Broadcast Flag (1b)
DHCP Request
IP Header {SIP=0.0.0.0, DIP=255.255.255.255},


Filename (128B)
DHCP Message Type (Option 53) = 3 (DHCP Request)
DHCP Ack
IP Header {SIP=1.1.1.254, DIP=255.255.255.255},

Requested IP Address (Option 50) = 1.1.1.10
Figure 8. IP address allocation/lease procedure: DHCP Request message

Ethernet Header
Destination MAC Address: As the client is NOT aware of the MAC address of a DHCP server, it floods a DHCP Request message over the
Ethernet network using a broadcast MAC address (0xFFFFFFFFFFFF) in order to inform all the DHCP servers of which DHCP server is
selected by the client.
IP Header
Source IP Address: Is set to 0.0.0.0 because no IP address is allocated to the client.
Destination IP Address: It floods a DHCP Request message over the IP network using a broadcast IP address (255.255.255.255) in order to
deliver the DHCP Request message to all the DHCP servers on the same subnet.
UDP Header
Source Port: Indicates that the DHCP message sender is the DHCP client (68=BOOTP Client).
Destination Port: Indicates that the DHCP message receiver is the DHCP server (67=BOOTP Server).
DHCP Message Type (option 53): Indicates that the DHCP message type is DHCP Request (Value=3).
Requested IP Address (option 50): The IP address (yiaddr=1.1.1.10) received through the DHCP Offer message from the DHCP server. This
is intended to re-send the IP address to the DHCP server in order to verify if the IP address is valid (In normal operation, the DHCP server
allocates the IP address to the client through the DHCP Ack message).
Parameter Request List (option 55): Contains the network information list (DHCP option List) that the client needs to obtain from the
DHCP Server. For example, it requests subnet mask, default GW IP address, DNS IP address and so on.
10
DHCP Ack Message

0B
2B
4B
Ethernet
PC

Ver = 4 IHL = 5
TOS
Identification
DHCP Discover
IP Header {SIP=0.0.0.0, DIP=255.255.255.255},
Total Length
Flags
Protocol=17(UDP)
Fragment Offset
Header Checksum
IP
TTL
DHCP
DHCP Offer

UDP Length
UDP Checksum
UDP
HOPS

IP Header {SIP=1.1.1.254, DIP=255.255.255.255},
Seconds
Broadcast Flag (1b)
DHCP Request
IP Header {SIP=0.0.0.0, DIP=255.255.255.255},


Filename (128B)
DHCP Message Type (Option 53) = 5 (DHCP Ack)
DHCP Ack
IP Header {SIP=1.1.1.254, DIP=255.255.255.255},

Figure 9. IP address allocation/lease procedure: DHCP Ack message

Ethernet Header
Destination MAC Address: The DHCP server broadcasts a DHCP Ack message over the Ethernet network to reach the client.
address of the DHCP server (m2).
IP Header
Source IP Address: The IP address of DHCP server (1.1.1.254).
Destination IP Address: As the client is NOT aware of the IP address of the DHCP server, it floods a DHCP Discover message over the IP
UDP Header
Port=68.
Your IP Address (yiaddr): The IP address to be used by the client (1.1.1.10).
DHCP Message Type (option 53): Indicates that the DHCP message type is DHCP Ack (Value=5).
Domain Name Server IP (option 6): The IP address of DNS server to be used by the client. Normally, it provides two IP addresses, primary
DNS IP address (10.1.1.1) and secondary DNS IP address (10.1.1.2), together.
IP Address Lease Time (option 51): The lease time during which the client is allowed to use the IP address allocated by DHCP server (3,600
sec. (=1 hour)). At the mid-point of the lease time (30 minutes), the client begins its IP address renewal procedure.
DHCP Server Identifier (option 54): The IP address of the DHCP server that sent the DHCP Offer message (1.1.1.254). In case that multiple
DHCP servers on the same subnet send DHCP Offer messages to the client, the client distinguishes servers based on the values in this field.
11
Appendix B - Format of DHCP Messages in IP Address Renewal Procedure

DHCP Request Message
0B
2B
4B
Destination MAC Address = DHCP Server MAC Address (m2)
Ethernet

Ver = 4 IHL = 5
TOS
Identification
Fragment Offset
Protocol=17(UDP)
Header Checksum
IP
TTL
t=0
Total Length
Flags
PC
Source IP Address = PC IP Address (1.1.1.10)
DHCP
DHCP Ack
IP Header {SIP=1.1.1.254, DIP=255.255.255.255},
DHCP Payload {Your IP=1.1.1.10, Server IP=1.1.1.254, Client MAC=m1,
Destination IP Address = DHCP Server IP Address (1.1.1.254)

UDP Length
UDP Checksum
Internet Access
UDP
SIP=1.1.1.10
HOPS
...
Seconds
Broadcast Flag (1b)

Filename (128B)
t=1,800
DHCP Message Type (Option 53) = 3 (DHCP Request)

DHCP Request
Ethernet Header {DA=m2, SA=m1},
IP Header {SIP=1.1.1.10, DIP=1.1.1.254},
DHCP Ack
IP Header {SIP=1.1.1.254, DIP=1.1.1.10},
DHCP Payload {Client IP=1.1.1.10, Your IP=1.1.1.10, Client MAC=m1,
Figure 10. IP address renewal procedure: DHCP Request message

Ethernet Header
Destination MAC Address: The MAC address of the DHCP server (m2)- Unicast type message over the Ethernet
address of the client (m1)
IP Header
Source IP Address: The client IP address.
Destination IP Address: The DHCP server IP address.
UDP Header
Source Port=68.
message with Source Port=67.
Client IP Address (ciaddr): The IP address (1.1.1.10) of the client in use (intended to extend a lease time)
Client MAC Address (chaddr): The MAC address of the client (m1)
DHCP Message Type (option 53): Indicates that the DHCP message type is DHCP Request (Value=3).
Parameter Request List (option 55): Contains the network information list (DHCP option List) that the client needs to obtain from DHCP
Server. For example, it requests subnet mask, default GW IP address, DNS IP address and so on.
12
DHCP Ack Message

0B
2B
4B
Destination MAC Address = PC MAC Address (m1)
Ethernet

Ver = 4 IHL = 5
TOS
Flags
Protocol=17(UDP)
Fragment Offset
Header Checksum
IP
TTL
DHCP
DHCP Ack
Total Length
Identification
PC

IP Header {SIP=1.1.1.254, DIP=255.255.255.255},
DHCP Payload {Your IP=1.1.1.10, Server IP=1.1.1.254, Client MAC=m1,
Destination IP Address = PC IP Address (1.1.1.10)

UDP Length
UDP Checksum
UDP
HOPS
SIP=1.1.1.10
...
Seconds
Internet Access
Broadcast Flag (1b)

DHCP Request


Filename (128B)
DHCP Message Type (Option 53) = 5 (DHCP Ack)

IP Header {SIP=1.1.1.10, DIP=1.1.1.254},
DHCP Ack
IP Header {SIP=1.1.1.254, DIP=1.1.1.10},
DHCP Payload {Client IP=1.1.1.10, Your IP=1.1.1.10, Client MAC=m1,

Figure 11. IP address renewal procedure: DHCP Ack message

Ethernet Header
Destination MAC Address: The MAC address of the DHCP client (m1) - Unicast type message over the Ethernet.
address of the DHCP server (m2)
IP Header
Source IP Address: The IP address of DHCP server (1.1.1.254)
Destination IP Address: The IP address of DHCP client (1.1.1.10) - Unicast type message over the Ethernet.
UDP Header
Port=68.
Client IP Address (ciaddr): The IP address (1.1.1.10) of the client in use (intended to extend a lease time)
Your IP Address (yiaddr): The IP address (of which lease extension is permitted by the DHCP server) to be used by the client (1.1.1.10).
DHCP Message Type (option 53): Indicates that the DHCP message type is DHCP Ack (Value=5).
Domain Name Server IP (option 6): The IP address of DNS server to be used by the client. Normally, it provides two IP addresses, primary
DNS IP address (10.1.1.1) and secondary DNS IP address (10.1.1.2), together.
IP Address Lease Time (option 51): The lease time during which the client is allowed to use the IP address allocated by the DHCP server
(3,600 sec. (1 hour)). At the mid-point of the lease time (30 minutes), the client begins its IP address renewal procedure.
DHCP Server Identifier (option 54): The IP address of the DHCP server that sent the DHCP Offer message (1.1.1.254). The client stores
information about from which DHCP server the client leased its IP address, and then uses the IP address for IP renewal or IP release
procedures.
13
Appendix C - Format of DHCP Messages in IP Address Release Procedure

DHCP Release Message
0B
2B
4B
Destination MAC Address = DHCP Server MAC Address (m2)
Ethernet
PC

Ver = 4 IHL = 5
TOS
Identification
Internet Access
SIP=1.1.1.10
Total Length
Flags
Protocol=17(UDP)
Fragment Offset
Header Checksum
...
IP
TTL
DHCP
DHCP client shut down (or ipconfig /release)
Source IP Address = PC IP Address (1.1.1.10)

Destination IP Address = DHCP Server IP Address (1.1.1.254)
UDP Length
UDP Checksum
DHCP Release
UDP
HOPS

IP Header {SIP=1.1.1.10, DIP=1.1.1.254},
DHCP Payload {Client IP=1.1.1.10, Client MAC=m1,
Seconds
Broadcast Flag (1b)

Filename (128B)
DHCP Message Type (Option 53) = 7 (DHCP Release)

Figure 12. IP address release procedure: DHCP Release message

Ethernet Header
Destination MAC Address: The MAC address of the DHCP server (m2) - Unicast type message over the Ethernet
IP Header
Source IP Address: The client IP address (1.1.1.10).
Destination IP Address: The DHCP server IP address (1.1.1.254 ) - Unicast type message over the Ethernet
UDP Header
Source Port=68.
message with Source Port=67.
Client IP Address (ciaddr): The IP address (1.1.1.10) of the client in use (Intended to return to DHCP server)
Client MAC Address (chaddr): The MAC address of the client (m1)
DHCP Message Type (option 53): Indicates that the DHCP message type is DHCP Release (Value=7).
DHCP Server Identifier (option 54): The IP address of the DHCP server that sent the DHCP Offer message (1.1.1.254).
14
Netmanias Research and Consulting Scope

99
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01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
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Transparent Caching
BSS/OSS
Services
Cable TPS
Voice/Video Quality
IMS
Policy Control/PCRF
IPTV/TPS
LTE
Mobile
Network
Mobile WiMAX
Carrier WiFi
LTE Backaul
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Carrier Ethernet
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Wireline
Network
Data Center
Metro Ethernet
MPLS
IP Routing
Visit http://www.netmanias.com to view and download more technical documents.
About NMC Consulting Group

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Netmanias Technical Document: Understanding the Basic Operations of DHCP

Understanding the Basic Operations of DHCP

IP Address Allocation/Lease Procedure

IP Address Renewal Procedure

IP Address Release Procedure

Summary and Conclusion

October 23, 2013

About NMC Consulting Group

Understanding the Basic Operations of DHCP

Understanding the Basic Operations of DHCP

II. IP Address Allocation/Lease Procedure

DHCP Server IP=1.1.1.254

Ethernet Header {DA=FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF, SA=m1}, IP Header {SIP=0.0.0.0, DIP=255.255.255.255},

I can hear you! My IP address is 1.1.1.254. I can allocate/lease an IP

Ethernet Header {DA=FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF, SA=m2}, IP Header {SIP=1.1.1.254, DIP=255.255.255.255},

Ethernet Header {DA=FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF, SA=m1}, IP Header {SIP=0.0.0.0, DIP=255.255.255.255},

Ethernet Header {DA=FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF, SA=m2}, IP Header {SIP=1.1.1.254, DIP=255.255.255.255},

IP address=1.1.1.10 allocation completed

Figure 1. IP address allocation/lease procedure using DHCP

Understanding the Basic Operations of DHCP

Default gateway IP address

Understanding the Basic Operations of DHCP

DNS server IP address

: Marvell Yukon 88E8055 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller

Figure 2. Network configuration of a PC client (Windows 7)

III. IP Address Renewal Procedure

DHCP Server IP=1.1.1.254

Ethernet Header {DA=m2, SA=m1}, IP Header {SIP=1.1.1.10, DIP=1.1.1.254},

OK, Use IP address=1.1.1.10/24 for one more hour

Ethernet Header {DA=m1, SA=m2}, IP Header {SIP=1.1.1.254, DIP=1.1.1.10},

IP address=1.1.1.10 renewal completed

Figure 3. IP address lease renewal procedure using DHCP

Understanding the Basic Operations of DHCP

IV. IP Address Release Procedure

DHCP Server IP=1.1.1.254

I wont use IP=1.1.1.10/24 any more

Ethernet Header {DA=m2, SA=m1}, IP Header {SIP=1.1.1.10, DIP=1.1.1.254},

IP address=1.1.1.10 release completed

Figure 4. IP address release procedure using DHCP

Understanding the Basic Operations of DHCP

V. Summary and Conclusion

DHCP Client Boot

DHCP Client Shut Down

Renewal Time = Lease Time / 2

Figure 5. Summary of DHCP protocol procedures

Understanding the Basic Operations of DHCP

Understanding the Basic Operations of DHCP

Appendix A - Format of DHCP Messages in IP Address Allocation/Lease Procedure

Destination MAC Address = FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF (Broadcast)

Source MAC Address = PC MAC Address (m1)

EtherType = 0x0800 (IP)

Source IP Address = 0.0.0.0

Destination IP Address = 255.255.255.255

OP code=1(Req.) HW Type=Ethernet HW Length = 6

Source Port = 68 (bootpc)

Ethernet Header {DA=FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF, SA=m2},

Broadcast Flag (1b)

Client IP address (ciaddr) = 0.0.0.0

Client Hardware Address (16B) (chaddr) = PC MAC Address (m1)

DHCP Message Payload

Server IP address (siaddr) = 0.0.0.0

Ethernet Header {DA=FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF, SA=m1},

DHCP Message Type (Option 53) = 1 (DHCP Discover)