About DHCP (Overview)

The ISC DHCP server, dhcpd, implements the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and the Internet Bootstrap Protocol (BOOTP). DHCP allows hosts on a TCP/IP network to request and be assigned IP addresses, and also to discover information about the network to which they are attached. BOOTP provides similar functionality.

This chapter introduces the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and explains the concepts that underlie the protocol. The chapter also describes the advantages of using DHCP in your network.

This chapter contains the following information:

• About the DHCP Protocol

• Advantages of Using DHCP

• How DHCP Works

• ISC DHCP Server

• DHCP Client