User Manual

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Users Manual of XGS-6350-24X4C
Configuring DHCP
43.3
43.3.1 Introduction
The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) provides some parameters of network configuration fro
hosts in the Internet. DHCP will be described in RFC 2131. The most important function of DHCP is to
distribute IP addresses on the interface. DHCP supports three mechanisms of distributing IP addresses.
Automatic distribution
The DHCP server automatically distributes a permanent IP address to a client.
Dynamic distribution
The DHCP server distributes an IP address for a client to use for a certain period of time or until the client
does not use it.
Manual distribution
The administrator of the DHCP server manually specifies an IP address and through the DHCP protocol
sends it to the client.
43.3.1.1 DHCP Applications
DHCP has several kinds of applications. You can use DHCP in the following cases:
You can distribute IP address, network segment and related sources (such as relevant gateway) to an
Ethernet interface by configuring the DHCP client.
When a switch that can access DHCP connects multiple hosts, the switch can obtain an IP address from
the DHCP server through the DHCP relay and then distribute the address to the hosts.
43.3.1.2 DHCP Advantages
In current software version, the DHCP client or the DHCP client on the Ethernet interface is supported. The
function to support the DHCP client has the following advantages:
Reducing the configuration time
Reducing configuration faults
Controlling IP addresses of some device ports through the DHCP server
43.3.1.3 DHCP Terminology
DHCP is based on the Server/Client model. The DHCP-server and DHCP-client exist in the DHCP running
conditions.
DHCP-Server
It is a device to distribute and recycle the DHCP-related sources such as IP addresses and lease time.
DHCP-Client
It is a device to obtain information from the DHCP server for devices of the local system to use, such as IP
address information.