DHCP = Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol

• DHCP is a client-server protocol.
• A client is a device that is configured to use DHCP to request network parameters from a DHCP server.
• DHCP server maintains a pool of available IP addresses and assigns one of them to the host.
• Cisco routers can be configured as both DHCP client and DHCP server.

DHCP Servers provide parameters like;

• IP Address
• Subnet Mask
• Default Gateway
• Domain Name
• DNS Server

DHCP client goes through the four step process: D.O.R.A

Clients send DHCPDISCOVER broadcast messages to locate a Cisco IOS DHCP Server

DHCP Server responds with a DHCPOFFER unicast message containing; IP address, Domain Name, Lease