Session 4: DHCP

OVERVIEW
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
DHCP uses a remote server to control the network configuration of the hosts (computers). It uses the client-server model. 

DHCP messages used to establish a connection between host and server:
- DHCPDISCOVER is used to initiate an interaction between the host and the server. The host initiates the action by sending this message to the server, and it is the start of the process.
- DHCPOFFER is the reply of the DHCP server to the client who send a request to the server. It contains the network information to be assigned to the client such as the host's IP address, subnet mask, and gateway address. 
- DHCPREQUEST is the client's response to the DHCPOFFER message of the server. It indicates the acceptance of the network configuration given by the server to the client.
- DHCPACK is the message of acknowledgement that the server permitted the client to use the network configuration sent earlier using the DHCPOFFER message. Also, this is the end of the process started with the DHCPDISCOVER message.

Step-by-Step DHCP Process

The illustration shows how DHCP works. The processes was explained above using the DHCP messages needed to establish connection between a client and a server.