BOOTP and DHCP

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 Bootstrapping
 A host can read this information from its
internal disk but some devices have no
storage. They need help from another device
on the network to provide them some
information.

 This problem of getting a new machine up

and running is commonly called
bootstrapping, and to provide this capability
to IP hosts, the TCP/IP Bootstrap Protocol
(BOOTP) was created.

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 BOOTP
 Developed in 1985. It is based on a client/server
exchange, but is implemented as a higher-layer
software protocol, using UDP for message
transport.

 It is not dependent on the particular hardware of

the network like RARP.

 It supports sending additional configuration

information to a client beyond just an IP
address. It can handle having client and server
on different networks of an internetwork.
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 BOOTP
 The host broadcast BOOTP request message.

 When BOOTP server receives the request, it

search the database , placed the information
in single BOOTP reply message and returns
the reply to the requesting computer.

 Main disadvantage is that manual

configuration of tables mapping IP address to
MAC address is required.

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 BOOTP
 BOOTP messaging uses UDP.

 Since the client doesn't know the address

of a BOOTP server, the request is
broadcast on its local network; UDP
supports broadcasts while TCP does not.

 BOOTP servers “listen” on port 67 for

these requests sent by clients.

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BOOTP

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 DHCP
 DHCP automatically configures hosts that
connect to a network.

 DHCP does not require an administrator to

add an entry for each computer to the
database that a server uses. DHCP work like
plug and play networking.

 DHCP is in wide use because it provides a

mechanism for assigning temporary IP
address to hosts.
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 DHCP
 Administrator can configure DHCP
server to have two types of addresses.
 Permanent address to DHCP server
 A pool of addresses to be allocated on
demand.

 When computer boots, sends a request

to DHCP server, DHCP server checks
its database to find the configuration
information.
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 DHCP
 BOOTP supports only one model - static
allocation. But DHCP supports three models:
 Dynamic allocation: Server chooses and
allocates an IP address with finite lease.
 Automatic or Reserved allocation: Server
allocates an IP address with infinite lease.
 Static allocation: Server allocates IP address
that has been chosen by the administrator.

 DHCP server manages two databases to

recognize the network status: Address Pool and
Binding database.
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 DHCP Messages
 DHCPDISCOVER
 DHCPOFFER
 DHCPREQUEST
 DHCPACK or DHCPNACK
 DHCPDECLINE
 DHCPRELEASE
 DHCPINFORM

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 DHCP process
 DHCP clients broadcast and Ask for IP address
(DHCPDISCOVER).
 DHCP server offers IP address (DHCPOFFER)
 DHCP clients will receive offers, in case of NO, it
uses previous configuration. If YES, it ask
selected IP address (DHCPREQUEST)
 DHCP server sends ACK and additional
configuration information. (DHCPACK)
 DHCP can decline the offer. (DHCPDECLINE)
and restart the entire process.
 DHCP clients can send DHCPRELEASE in case
of address release.
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DHCP Header Format

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DHCP Header Format

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