Linux Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol

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Boot strap Protocol (BootP), was the first comprehensive Configuration Protocol.   It can provide all of the information commonly used to configure TCP/IP - from the client's IP address to which print server the client should use.   The BootP protocol is designed to deliver this information to the client, even though the client doesn't have an IP address.


Default Port Setup

 

Client-side 

  • port 67 - broadcast on this port to the network
  • port 68 - listens for reply from network

Server-side 

  • port 68 - send reply out from this port to the network
  • port 67 - listen for client-reply from network   

BootP is simple and effective.  Is the basis for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol(DHCP).   This protocol in general still uses the special IP broadcast address of 255.255.255.255, that is called the limited broadcast address.



It's Nature ?

  • BootP - set client side, Static IP address
  • DHCP - set client side, temporary IP address (leases out IP to client)   

Many Linux distributions include the DHCP daemon (dhcpd), and is for the server side of the DHCP and required only at the Server-side.   Many Linux distributions also support RARP (Reverse Address Resolution Protocol), which broadcast an Ethernet address and ask for the IP address in response.   It's the reverse side of the standard ARP(Address Resolution Protocol).