Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol

(DHCP)

Ayush Singhal

TYPES OF IP ALLOCATION
Dynamic allocation: a network administrator reserves a range of IP addresses
for DHCP, and each client computer on the LAN is configured to request an IP
address from the DHCP server during network initialization. The request-and-grant
process uses a lease concept with a controllable time period, allowing the DHCP
server to reclaim (and then reallocate) IP addresses that are not renewed.

Automatic allocation: the DHCP server permanently assigns an IP address to

a requesting client from the range defined by the administrator. This is like dynamic
allocation, but the DHCP server keeps a table of past IP address assignments, so
that it can preferentially assign to a client the same IP address that the client
previously had.

Static allocation: the DHCP server allocates an IP address based on a

preconfigured mapping to each client's MAC address. This feature is variously
called static DHCP assignment by DD-WRT, fixed-address by the dhcpd
documentation, address reservation by Netgear, DHCP reservation or static DHCP
by Cisco and Linksys, and IP address reservation or MAC/IP address binding by
various other router manufacturers.

Dynamic Assignment of IP addresses

Dynamic assignment of IP addresses is desirable for several
reasons:
IP addresses are assigned on-demand
Avoid manual IP configuration
Support mobility of laptops
Reliable IP Address Configuration
Reduced Network Administartion

Reduced Network Administartion

Centralized and automated TCP/IP configuration.
The ability to define TCP/IP configurations from a central
location.
The ability to assign a full range of additional TCP/IP
configuration values by means of DHCP options.
The efficient handling of IP address changes for clients that
must be updated frequently, such as those for portable
computers that move to different locations on a wireless
network.
The forwarding of initial DHCP messages by using a DHCP
relay agent, which eliminates the need for a DHCP server on
every subnet.

Solutions for dynamic assignment of IP addresses

Reverse Address Resolution Protocol (RARP)
Works similar to ARP
Broadcast a request for the IP address associated
with a given MAC address
RARP server responds with an IP address
Only assigns IP address (not the default router and
subnetmask)

IP address
(32 bit)

ARP
RARP

Ethernet MAC
address
(48 bit)

BOOTP
BOOTstrap Protocol (BOOTP)
From 1985
Host can configure its IP parameters at boot time.
3 services.
IP address assignment.
Detection of the IP address for a serving machine.
The name of a file to be loaded and executed by the client machine
(boot file name)

Not only assign IP address, but also default router, network mask, etc.
Sent as UDP messages (UDP Port 67 (server) and 68 (host))
Use limited broadcast address (255.255.255.255):
These addresses are never forwarded

DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
From 1993
An extension of BOOTP, very similar to DHCP
Same port numbers as BOOTP
Extensions:
Supports temporary allocation (leases) of IP addresses
DHCP client can acquire all IP configuration parameters
needed to operate
DHCP is the preferred mechanism for dynamic assignment
of IP addresses
DHCP can interoperate with BOOTP clients.
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DHCP Interaction (simplified)

Argon
00:a0:24:71:e4:44

DHCP Server

DHCP Request
00:a0:24:71:e4:44
Sent to 255.255.255.255

DHCP Message Format

(There are >100 different options)

DHCP
OpCode: 1 (Request), 2(Reply)
Note: DHCP message type is sent in an option

Hardware Type: 1 (for Ethernet)

Hardware address length: 6 (for Ethernet)
Hop count: set to 0 by client
Transaction ID: Integer (used to match reply to response)
Seconds: number of seconds since the client started to boot
Client IP address, Your IP address, server IP address,
Gateway IP address, client hardware address, server
host name, boot file name:
client fills in the information that it has, leaves rest blank
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DHCP Message Type

Message type is sent as an
option.

Value

Message Type

DHCPDISCOVER

DHCPOFFER

DHCPREQUEST

DHCPDECLINE

DHCPACK

DHCPNAK

DHCPRELEASE

DHCPINFORM

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Other options (selection)

Other DHCP information that is sent as an option:
Subnet Mask, Name Server, Hostname, Domain Name,
Forward On/Off, Default IP TTL, Broadcast Address, Static
Route, Ethernet Encapsulation, X Window Manager, X
Window Font, DHCP Msg Type, DHCP Renewal Time, DHCP
Rebinding, Time SMTP-Server, SMTP-Server, Client FQDN,
Printer Name,

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DHCP Operation

DCHP DISCOVER

DCHP OFFER

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DHCP Operation

DCHP ACKNOWLEDGE

At this time, the DHCP

client can start to use the IP
address

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DHCP Operation

DCHP RELEASE

At this time, the DHCP

client has released the IP
address

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LIMITATIONS OF DHCP
DHCP is not a secure protocol, as no mechanism is built in to
allow clients and servers to authenticate each other. Both are
vulnerable to deception (e.g., one computer can pretend to be
another) and to attack (rogue clients can exhaust a servers
address pool).
DHCP is not a routable protocol; it is limited to a specific local
area network (LAN). If network administrators want a given
DHCP server to provide addressing to multiple subnets on a
given network, they must configure DHCP relay services on
the routers DHCP requests have to cross.

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