Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Research Paper

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) - Research Paper Example â€Å"However, defining an addressing system and setting up the correct address on each workstation and server is far from trivial. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol can be a great help.† (Richards, 1997, p. 11). The address assignment of machines on a network is a core issue of network administration and management and is considered a major cost contributor in managing client server environments. There are two options available to network administrators, either they may address each machine on the network themselves, or they may go for a DHCP server to assign IP addresses to all requesting hosts on the network. A DHCP server has a pool of assignable IP addresses and depending on the implementation may also have a pool of IP addresses to be assigned to the restricted users on the network. The address assignment process of DHCP Server, normally called the Lease Process, is an important part of understanding how actually DHCP work and how it can be troubleshoot in case of an a ddress assignment problem. The first step of Lease Process is a DHCP Discover request from a client, which is broadcasted on the network to locate a DHCP server.