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Todo o mundo DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol and is the protocol utilised to issue dynamic IP addresses to hosts on the network. DHCP servers are configured to distribute, manage and update IP addresses on the network based on a conversation with a DHCP client. The DHCP client issues a request to the DHCP server, if both client and server are on different subnets of the network then a DHCP relay agent is used.
The components required for a successful DHCP architecture include a DHCP client, DHCP server and DHCP relay agent (if existing on different subnets of the network). IP addresses are issued to DHCP clients via a standard client/server method, where the DHCP client initiates a request to the DHCP server. When we say client, we are talking about any network connected device that is able to communicate with the DHCP server. Most Windows operating systems are supported from 2000 upwards.
The method by which DHCP clients obtain an IP address from the server is to simply locate and start a conversation with the server on the network and request an IP address that, if successful, is issued by the server. If the DHCP server cannot be found by the client then an automatic private IP address can be assigned from Microsofts class B network (169.254.0.0). This IP address will be provided to the client only if there are no other clients on the network with this IP address. The DHCP client will test this on the network and accept the assigned IP address if this is the case. The DHCP client will then continue to beacon on the network for the DHCP server. If found, the DHCP client will drop their private address and be assigned an IP address by the DHCP server. | 