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Understanding DHCP Operations

DHCP uses a client-server model, where the client device requests an IP from the DHCP server. The DHCP server can be dedicated or integrated into other network devices, such as routers or switches.

When using the DHCP service, there are two roles: a DHCP client, which is a device requesting an IP address and complimentary network parameters, and a DHCP server responsible for providing network configuration parameters to the clients.

The whole communication between the client and the server is performed in four steps. This process is also known as DORA, an acronym representing the first letters of each step during which the packets are exchanged:

  1. DHCP Discover: The DHCP client sends a broadcast message to reach the DHCP server and starts the negotiation process.
  2. DHCP Offer: The DHCP server responds to the DHCP client with IP information that can be used once acknowledged.
  3. DHCP Request: The DHCP client responds to the DHCP server with a formal request to start using the IP information previously reserved.
  4. DHCP ACK: The DHCP server acknowledges the DHCP Request message and the DHCP client starts using the assigned IP information.

Based on the DHCP server configuration, the assigned network parameters will be valid for a limited time before it expires or is potentially renewed.