Reference Guide

already in use. In this case, the client starts the configuration process over by

sending a DHCPDISCOVER.

DHCPINFORM A client uses this message to request configuration parameters when it assigned an

IP address manually rather than with DHCP. The server responds by unicast.

DHCPNAK A server sends this message to the client if it is not able to fulfill a DHCPREQUEST;

for example, if the requested address is already in use. In this case, the client starts

the configuration process over by sending a DHCPDISCOVER.

DHCPRELEASE A DHCP client sends this message when it is stopped forcefully to return its IP

address to the server.

Figure 5. Assigning Network Parameters using DHCP

Dell Networking OS Behavior: DHCP is implemented in Dell Networking OS based on RFC 2131 and

3046.

Debugging DHCP Client Operation

To enable debug messages for DHCP client operation, enter the following debug commands:

• Enable the display of log messages for all DHCP packets sent and received on DHCP client interfaces.

EXEC Privilege

[no] debug ip dhcp client packets [interface type slot/port]

• Enable the display of log messages for the following events on DHCP client interfaces: IP address

acquisition, IP address release, Renewal of IP address and lease time, and Release of an IP address.

EXEC Privilege

[no] debug ip dhcp client events [interface type slot/port]

The following example shows the packet- and event-level debug messages displayed for the packet

transmissions and state transitions on a DHCP client interface.

DHCP Client: Debug Messages Logged during DHCP Client Enabling/Disabling

Dell (conf-if-Ma-0/0)# ip address dhcp

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)