RFC 2131 (original) (raw)

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RFC 2131

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RFC 2131

RFC 2131

Network Working Group
Request for Comments: 2131
Obsoletes: 1541
Category: Standards Track

R. Droms
Bucknell University
March 1997

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol

Status of this memo

This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements. Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state and status of this protocol. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

Abstract

The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) provides a framework for passing configuration information to hosts on a TCPIP network. DHCP is based on the Bootstrap Protocol (BOOTP) [7], adding the capability of automatic allocation of reusable network addresses and additional configuration options [19]. DHCP captures the behavior of BOOTP relay agents [7, 21], and DHCP participants can interoperate with BOOTP participants [9].

Table of Contents

• 1. Introduction
  • 1.1 Changes to RFC 1541
  • 1.2 Related Work
  • 1.3 Problem definition and issues
  • 1.4 Requirements
  • 1.5 Terminology
  • 1.6 Design goals
• 2. Protocol Summary
  • 2.1 Configuration parameters repository
  • 2.2 Dynamic allocation of network addresses
• 3. The Client-Server Protocol
  • 3.1 Client-server interaction - allocating a network address
  • 3.2 Client-server interaction - reusing a previously allocated network address
  • 3.3 Interpretation and representation of time values
  • 3.4 Obtaining parameters with externally configured network address
  • 3.5 Client parameters in DHCP
  • 3.6 Use of DHCP in clients with multiple interfaces
  • 3.7 When clients should use DHCP
• 4. Specification of the DHCP client-server protocol
  • 4.1 Constructing and sending DHCP messages
  • 4.2 DHCP server administrative controls
  • 4.3 DHCP server behavior
    * 4.3.1 DHCPDISCOVER message
    * 4.3.2 DHCPREQUEST message
    * 4.3.3 DHCPDECLINE message
    * 4.3.4 DHCPRELEASE message
    * 4.3.5 DHCPINFORM message
    * 4.3.6 Client messages
  • 4.4 DHCP client behavior
    * 4.4.1 Initialization and allocation of network address
    * 4.4.2 Initialization with known network address
    * 4.4.3 Initialization with an externally assigned network address
    * 4.4.4 Use of broadcast and unicast
    * 4.4.5 Reacquisition and expiration
    * 4.4.6 DHCPRELEASE
• 5. Acknowledgments
• 6. References
• 7. Security Considerations
• 8. Author's Address
• A. Host Configuration Parameters
• Original text document
• Complete HTML RFC (TAR, TGZ, or ZIP format)

Next: 1. Introduction

Connected: An Internet Encyclopedia
RFC 2131