Computer Networks Project

SYNOPSIS
ON
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol

Date of submission: 06th June 2011

SUBMITTED BY
Y.N. PRAVEEN KUMAR REDDY (0925922)

SHRUTHI B.N (0925955)

 DYNAMIC HOST CONFIGURATION PROTOCOL

The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) provides a mechanism through which

computers using TCP/IP can obtain protocol configuration parameters automatically through the
network. DHCP is an open standard, developed by the Dynamic Host Configuration working
group of the Internet Engineering task Force (IETF).

DHCP is based on a client-server paradigm, in which the DHCP client, e.g. a desktop
computer, contacts a DHCP server for configuration parameters.

The DHCP server is typically centrally located and operated by the network
administrator. Because the server is run by a network administrator, DHCP clients can be
reliably and dynamically configured with parameters appropriate to the current network
architecture.
 The most important configuration parameter carried by DHCP is the IP address. A
computer must be initially assigned a specific IP address that is appropriate to the network to
which the computer is attached, and that is not assigned to any other computer on that network.

If a computer moves to a new network, it must be assigned a new IP address for that new
network. DHCP can be used to manage these assignments automatically.

DHCP carries other important configuration parameters such as the subnet mask, default
router and Domain Name System (DNS) server. Using DHCP, a network administrator can avoid
"hands-on" configuration of individual computers through complex and confusing setup
applications.

Instead, those computers can obtain all required configuration parameters automatically,
without manual intervention, from a centrally managed DHCP server.

Platform :

The project will be developed using JAVA using Swing as GUI components. This will
allow the program to operate on any platform using JVM.