WHY DYNAMIC ADDRESSING?

Dynamic addressing simplifies network

administration because the software keeps track
of IP addresses rather than requiring an
administrator to manage the task.

This means that a new computer can be added to
a network without the hassle of manually
assigning it a unique IP address.
Many ISPs use dynamic IP addressing for Internet
subscribers. (IP)

DHCP PROTOCOL

The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a
network protocol used to assign IP addresses and
provide configuration information to devices such as
servers, desktops, or mobile devices, so they can
communicate on a network using the Internet
Protocol


It includes:
A DHCP server, which receives clients requests and
replies to them.

A DHCP client, which can be bundled with the
operating system of a client computer or other IP
capable device and which sends configuration requests
to the server. Most devices and operating systems
already have DHCP clients included.

A DHCP relay agent, which passes DHCP requests from
one LAN to another so that there need not be a DHCP
server on every LAN

FEATURES

Runs over UDP
Utilizing ports:
67 connections to server
68 connections to client
Extension of BOOTP (protocol used for simple
interaction)
Uses clientserver model

3 TYPES OF IP ALLOCATION
STATIC
AUTO
DYNAMIC
Static/Manual allocation
Server allocates IP chosen by the Admin
Server configuration includes IP-Addres and
MAC-Address for every client
DHCP only used to convey assigned address to
client

Automatic allocation
IP address is permanently associated with a
MAC address till administrator intervenes the
infinite lease
Dynamic allocation
Like Automatic allocation Except:
server tracks leases
give IP addresses whose lease has expired to
other DHCP clients

Goal of a DHCP Server

support of dynamic allocation of Network
Addresses
chooses and allocates an IP address
gives network configuration parameters to the
client

WORKING
Need 2 databases
Address Pool is the database which holds IP
addresses and other network configuration
parameters
Binding database keeps mapping between an
Ethernet address and Address Pool entries



The DHCP protocol employs a connectionless service
model, using the User Datagram Protocol (UDP). It is
implemented with two UDP port numbers for its
operations which are the same as for
the BOOTP protocol. UDP port number 67 is the
destination port of a server, and UDP port number
68 is used by the client.
DHCP operations fall into four phases: server
discovery, IP lease offer, IP request, and IP lease
acknowledgment.
These stages are often abbreviated as DORA for
discovery, offer, request, and acknowledgment.

All interactions are initiated by a client
Server only replies
configuring the host to the network is done by
a simple handshake


Client broadcasts DHCP DISCOVER
One or more servers return DHCP OFFER with
available Address and NW Information
Clients chooses one offer that it likes best
broadcasts DHCPREQUEST to the chosen
Server


Server sends DHCPACK
Lease is finalized
This packet includes the lease duration and
any other configuration information that the
client might have requested. At this point, the
IP configuration process is completed.
DHCP RELEASE is issued by the client to inform
the server to put back the resources into pool
Insecurity of UDP
Broadcast of messages
Risk of wrong configuration causing
High traffic
Waste of IP Addresses
A lot more work than expected

BEST CASES:
Works well if you have to manage a lot of mobile
users:
People with laptops working in and out of the
office
Hosts coming and going with a great amount of
frequency
Perfect when Network parameters have changed
Only one point you have to work at
Sharing a limited pool of IP addresses
Mixture of allocation types can be used