What Is DHCP - It Assigns Addresses Dynamically - BlueCat Networks

22/03/24, 10:26 What is DHCP?
It assigns addresses dynamically – BlueCat Networks
Glossary: What is DHCP?
What is DHCP? It assigns

IP addresses dynamically
The answer to “What is DHCP?” is that it’s the standard mechanism to
dynamically assign IP addresses within a network. It stands for
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.
IP, or Internet Protocol, addressing is a logical means of assigning

addresses to devices on a network. Each device connected to a
network
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22/03/24, 10:26 What is DHCP? It assigns addresses dynamically – BlueCat Networks
more secure, and doesn’t eat up valuable admin time.
In this glossary entry, we’ll explore the fundamentals of how DHCP

works. Then, we’ll take a deeper look at two aspects: dynamic
addressing and the communications protocol.
How does DHCP work?

DHCP is a network management protocol. A client device (or DHCP
client), such as a laptop, joins a network and requests an IP address.
The request is made to a DHCP server.
These servers are often configured with redundancy—often called

DHCP failover—or clustering among other network servers. Servers
can run on both IPv4 and IPv6 networks.
The server will quickly and automatically assign an IP address and

some related network configuration parameters. Once the device has
accepted the assignment, it can communicate with both the internal
network and the public internet.
Relevant parameters
In addition to assigning IP addresses, these servers also provide
relevant parameters, known as DHCP options. The Internet Assigned
Numbers Authority (IANA), the global coordinator of IP addresses,
defines available DHCP parameters.
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Some additional definitions
page.
To clarify, let’s quickly define some of these terms Customize

we just mentioned:
A default gateway transfers data back and forth between the local
network and the internet, or between local subnets.
IP networking uses a subnet mask to separate the host address and

Contact us
EN the network address portions of an IP address.
A DNS server resolves names to IP addresses, translating domain

Products
names& Services
that we easily remember, like bluecatnetworks.com, into IP
addresses like 104.239.197.100.
Network Challenges
Dynamic IP addressing with DHCP
WhyThe
BlueCat
assignment of IP addresses happens dynamically within a given
address range. As a result, a device connected to the network doesn’t
have a forever address. The IP address can periodically change as its
About lease time expires unless the lease is successfully renewed.
For services that always need to be on, a static IP address is often a

better option. Corporate enterprises commonly use static IP addresses
Resources for hardware like mail servers. Certainly, a DHCP server should have a
static IP address.
Support
However, there are drawbacks to dedicating a specific IP address to a
device or service. A network administrator must manually assign,
configure, and track the IP address. It’s a time-consuming task.
Blog Oftentimes, it requires the admin to physically be with the device.
Meanwhile, dynamic IP addresses are usually the preferred choice

Communities
because they:
Cost less to manage than static IP addresses;

Careers
May offer more privacy and security with a constantly changing IP
address; and
Don’t require manual administration when a device roams from one

subnet to another.
DHCP communications
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Communications
when you come back to fulfill
so we a DHCP request
can tailor it toinvolves both the server and
your interests.
client. Furthermore, a relay agent or IP helper often facilitates
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DHCP messages from clients and then re-send those messages with
configuration information to servers.
Customize
Communication happens via small units of data, called packets, that

are routed through a network. Networking protocols like IP govern all
its rules.
Most of the time, communication occurs in four steps. Briefly, they

are:
1. A discover packet is sent from the client to the server.
2. The server replies to the client with a DHCP offer packet containing
an IP address.
3. The client receives and validates the offer, then sends a request
packet back to the server to accept the address.
4. The server sends an acknowledgement packet back to the client to

confirm the chosen IP address.
With this in mind, one final point: DHCP alongside DNS and IP address
management (IPAM) are together known as DDI. Want to know how to
define DDI or how it works to form a complete management solution?
The BlueCat platform is the place to start.

when you come back so we can tailor it to your interests.
page.
Customize

page.
Customize

page.
Customize
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22/03/24, 10:26 What is DHCP?

It assigns addresses dynamically – BlueCat Networks

Glossary: What is DHCP?

What is DHCP? It assigns

IP, or Internet Protocol, addressing is a logical means of assigning

In a large enterprise setting, a DHCP server is usually a dedicated

more secure, and doesn’t eat up valuable admin time.

In this glossary entry, we’ll explore the fundamentals of how DHCP

How does DHCP work?

These servers are often configured with redundancy—often called

The server will quickly and automatically assign an IP address and

To clarify, let’s quickly define some of these terms Customize

IP networking uses a subnet mask to separate the host address and

A DNS server resolves names to IP addresses, translating domain

For services that always need to be on, a static IP address is often a

Meanwhile, dynamic IP addresses are usually the preferred choice

Cost less to manage than static IP addresses;

Don’t require manual administration when a device roams from one

Communication happens via small units of data, called packets, that

Most of the time, communication occurs in four steps. Briefly, they

1. A discover packet is sent from the client to the server.

4. The server sends an acknowledgement packet back to the client to

We’re using cookies on this site to improve your experience. Cookies

We’re using cookies on this site to improve your experience. Cookies

We’re using cookies on this site to improve your experience. Cookies

Why BlueCat? Adaptive DNS

Products and services About

Core network services Partner with BlueCat

Network automation Our leadership team

Network security Our board of directors

Hybrid cloud management Careers

Services Channel partners

BlueCat for government

News and press Contact

We’re using cookies on this site to improve your experience. Cookies

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