Understanding DHCP, Functions, and How It Works

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol or DHCP is often abbreviated client-server protocol that is used to assign IP addresses to client computers/network devices automatically.

The reason why many are implementing DHCP because it is easy to determine the IP address of the client computer/network device (though in large numbers) automatically. So we do not need to assign IP addresses manually to each computer one by one.

DHCP server not only provides the intellectual property address only, but also provide netmask, hostname, domain name, DNS, and gateway- address. Also, the DHCP server can also provide other parameters such as the time server and so forth.

By doing so, an admin server no longer needs to bother to assign IP addresses to each client computer that wants to connect to the network. If there are dozens of client computers may not be a problem, then what if thousands of client computers?

Differences DHCP client and DHCP server

In DHCP service, there are two terms you should know that a DHCP client and a DHCP server. What is the difference between the two?

The computer-assigned to provide IP addresses automatically to the client computer called the DHCP server. While computers are requesting an IP address is referred to as the DHCP client.

How does DHCP work?

When users turn on the computer and connect to servers that use the DHCP service, then the computer automatically request (request) to the server's IP address. Then answer the demand network server and give it an IP address.

More details on how the DHCP, you can listen to the processes that occur in the DHCP service following:

IP Least Request

The client computer requests an IP address to the server.

IP Least Offer

DHCP server that has a list of IP addresses offers to client computers.

IP Lease Selection

Computer client choosing / selecting the deals first given DHCP, then do the broadcast by sending the message that the customer computer approves the offer.

IP Lease Acknowledge

At this stage, the DHCP server receives the message and begin to send a packet to acknowledge (DHCPACK) to the client.

The package contains an explanation of how long the client computer can use an IP address (provided a DHCP server) and other configurations. And client computers can connect to the network.

The advantage of using DHCP service

• No need to give/configure the IP address to a client one by one.
• Prevent IP conflict that often occurs on a network.
• With the DHCP service, the client computer can use an IP address within a period (depending on server administration).
• The client computer can use an IP address that is not used by another client computer.
• Also, the presence of DHCP, we can integrate a machine (host) into a network because eventually the computer will receive an IP address as well as through a poll that had previously been made by the server.

So a little bit conclusions about DHCP, the DHCP is a client-server protocol used to assign IP addresses to clients automatically.

Four processes occur in the workings of the DHCP server, the IP Least Request, IP Least Offer, IP Lease Selection, and IP Lease Acknowledge.