DHCP: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol

Goal: allow host to dynamically obtain its IP address from network server
when it joins network
Can renew its lease on address in use
Allows reuse of addresses (only hold address while connected an “on”)
Support for mobile users who want to join network (more shortly)
DHCP overview:
 host broadcasts “DHCP discover” msg [optional]
 DHCP server responds with “DHCP offer” msg [optional]
 host requests IP address: “DHCP request” msg
 DHCP server sends address: “DHCP ack” msg

Network Layer 4-1

DHCP client-server scenario

A DHCP 223.1.2.1
223.1.1.1
server
223.1.1.2
223.1.1.4 223.1.2.9
B
223.1.2.2 arriving DHCP
223.1.1.3 223.1.3.27 E client needs
address in this
223.1.3.1 223.1.3.2
network

Network Layer 4-2

DHCP: more than IP address
DHCP can return more than just allocated IP
address on subnet:
 address of first-hop router for client
 name and IP address of DNS sever
 network mask (indicating network versus host
portion of address)

Network Layer 4-3

DHCP: example
DHCP DHCP  connecting laptop needs its
DHCP UDP
IP address, addr of first-
DHCP IP
Eth
hop router, addr of DNS
DHCP
Phy server: use DHCP
DHCP
 DHCP request encapsulated
in UDP, encapsulated in IP,
DHCP DHCP encapsulated in 802.1
DHCP UDP 168.1.1.1 Ethernet
DHCP IP  Ethernet frame broadcast
DHCP Eth router
Phy (dest: FFFFFFFFFFFF) on LAN,
(runs DHCP)
received at router running
DHCP server
 Ethernet demuxed to IP
demuxed, UDP demuxed to
DHCP

Network Layer 4-4

DHCP: example
DHCP DHCP  DCP server formulates
DHCP UDP DHCP ACK containing
DHCP IP client’s IP address, IP
DHCP Eth address of first-hop
Phy router for client, name &
IP address of DNS server

 encapsulation of DHCP server, frame

forwarded to client, demuxing up to
DHCP DHCP DHCP at client
DHCP UDP  client now knows its IP address,
DHCP IP name and IP address of DSN server,
Eth IP address of its first-hop router
DHCP router
Phy (runs DHCP)
DHCP

Network Layer 4-5

SUBMITTED BY:

CHRISTIAN D. BAMAN

Network Layer 4-6