Administrator Guide

Dynamic Host Configuration

Protocol (DHCP)

The Aggregator is auto-configured to operate as a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) client. The

DHCP server, DHCP relay agent, and secure DHCP features are not supported. The DHCP is an application

layer protocol that dynamically assigns IP addresses and other configuration parameters to network end-

stations (hosts) based on configuration policies determined by network administrators.

DHCP relieves network administrators of manually configuring hosts, which can be a tedious and error-prone

process when hosts often join, leave, and change locations on the network and it reclaims IP addresses that

are no longer in use to prevent address exhaustion.

DHCP is based on a client-server model. A host discovers the DHCP server and requests an IP address, and

the server either leases or permanently assigns one. There are three types of devices that are involved in

DHCP negotiation:

DHCP Server

This is a network device offering configuration parameters to the client.

DHCP Client This is a network device requesting configuration parameters from the server.

Relay Agent This is an intermediary network device that passes DHCP messages between the client

and server when the server is not on the same subnet as the host.

NOTE: The DHCP server and relay agent features are not supported on an Aggregator.

Supported Modes

Stacking, PMUX, Standalone, VLT

Topics:

• Assigning an IP Address using DHCP

• Debugging DHCP Client Operation

• DHCP Client

• How DHCP Client is Implemented

• DHCP Client on a Management Interface

• DHCP Client on a VLAN

• DHCP Packet Format and Options

• Option 82

• Releasing and Renewing DHCP-based IP Addresses

• Viewing DHCP Statistics and Lease Information

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) 312