DHCP

• Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a network protocol that enables a server to automatically assign an IP address to a computer.
• The DHCP server application typically exists in a router, but may also be found running on a network server for larger networks.

• The below figure shows how DHCP server works?. DHCP Configuration on DORA (Discovery, Offer, Request, Acknowledgement) process.

Advantages

• It minimize the administrative burden.
• There is no chance to conflict IP address.
• It supports multiple scope like multicast scope and super scope.

Disadvantages

• The machine name does not change when you get a new IP address.
• When DHCP server is unavailable client unable to access the network.

History

• In 1984, the Reverse Address Resolution Protocol (RARP), defined in RFC 903.
• RARP was superseded by the Bootstrap Protocol (BOOTP) defined in RFC 951 in September 1985.
• BOOTP was superseded by the DHCP, and it was first defined in RFC 1531 in October 1993.