DHCP

and how it works

1 DHCP by steffen diehl

 Overview
Introduction
Basics
Case - We play DHCP Server
Problems
Tasks
Solutions
Apply what you've learned
Conclusion
2 DHCP Overview
 Basics
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
Standard protocol
Defined by RFC 1541 (superseded by
RFC 2131)
Created by the
Host Configuration Working Group
of the
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)

3 DHCP in general
 Basics
Runs over UDP
Utilizing ports:
67 connections to server
68 connections to client
Extension of BOOTP (protocol used
for simple interaction)
Uses clientserver model

4 DHCP techiques
 Case
Got a network
Want to add new clients
DHCP-Server doesnt work
How do clients get their:
IP Address -or-
network configuration parameters (Subnet
Mask, Default Gateway, DNS and WINS)
Need replacement!!

5 DHCP problem
 Case - Theory
1st implementation goal of a DHCP
Server
support of dynamic allocation of
Network Addresses
chooses and allocates an IP address
gives network configuration parameters
to the client

6 DHCP server tasks I

 Case - Theory
Need 2 databases
Address Pool is the database which
holds IP addresses and other network
configuration parameters
Binding database keeps mapping
between an Ethernet address and
Address Pool entries

7 DHCP parts of a DHCP Server

 Case - Theory
All interactions are initiated by a
client
Server only replies
obtain an IP address automatically
in NW options
configuring the host to the network is
done by a simple handshake

8 DHCP client conditions

 Case in practice
Client broadcasts DHCPDISCOVER
One or more servers return DHCPOFFER
with available Address and NW
Information
Clients chooses one offer that it likes
best
broadcasts DHCPREQUEST to identify
chosen Server/lease
DHCPREQUEST also to renew lease
9 DHCP steps in becoming part of the network I
 Case - in practice
Server sends
DHCPACK
Lease is finalized
Client starts using IP
DHCPNAK
Client resumes from DHCPDISCOVER point
If client doesnt want IP -
DHCPDECLINE is sent
DHCPRELEASE gives IP back into pool

10 DHCP steps in becoming part of the network II

 Case - Theory
Static/Manual allocation
Server allocates IP chosen by the Admin
Server configuration includes
IP-Address-and-
MAC-Address
for every client
DHCP only used to convey assigned
address to client

11 DHCP types of assigning addresses I

 Case - Theory
Automatic allocation
IP address is permanently associated with a
MAC address
till administrator intervenes the infinite
lease
Dynamic allocation
Like Automatic allocation
Except:
server tracks leases
give IP addresses whose lease has expired to
other DHCP clients
12 DHCP types of assigning addresses II end
 Case - Theory
Client is responsible to renew/release IP
Lease timestamps:
Total lease duration
T1 (0.5 * duration_of_lease)
client enters the RENEWING state
contacts the server that originally issued
network address
T2 (0.875 * duration_of_lease)
client enters the REBINDING state
attempts to contact any server

13 DHCP lease duration

 Case - Theory
Lease duration
Client holds IP when not connected
Clients retire
Servers/Databases should have constant
IPs
Analyze the NW
Often changing clients?
Servers/databases?
Enough IP Addresses available?
14 DHCP problems
 Case - Theory
By using the fitting Methods
implementation goals 2-4 of a DHCP Server
server should be able to recycle the IP address
when the lease period is expired
A network administrator should not configure
each client/user interaction of each client
should not be required.
support of static allocation and an infinite lease

can also be realized!!!!

15 DHCP server tasks II
 Case - in practice
Servers:
WEB-Server 192.168.1.1
Access Point 192.168.1.2
Lecturers via Ethernet:
Range from .100 to .102
Students via WLAN:
Range from .200 to .230

16 DHCP find a solution!!! back

 Conclusion
Insecurity of UDP
Broadcast of messages
Risk of wrong configuration causing
High traffic
Waste of IP Addresses
A lot more work than expected
Detailed and precise analysis before
implementation needed
17 DHCP negative aspects
 Conclusion
works well if you have to manage a lot of
mobile users:
people with laptops working in and out of the office
hosts coming and going with a great amount of
frequency
perfect when Network parameters have
changed
only one point you have to work at
sharing a limited pool of IP addresses
Mixture of allocation types can be used

18 DHCP positive aspects

 Conclusion

Thank you for your attention

any questions??

19 DHCP the end

 Refrences
RFC 2131, Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol
RFC 2322, Management of IP
numbers by peg-dhcp
www.ietf.org, Internet Engineering
Task Force
www.microsoft.com, Microsoft
Knowledge Base Article - 169289
20 DHCP