H3C Technologies H3C SecPath F1000-E - Manual (Page 228)

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Introduction to DHCP
NOTE:
After DHCP client is enabled on an interface, the interface can dynamically obtain an IP address and
other configuration parameters from the DHCP server. This facilitates user configuration and centralized
management. For details about the DHCP client configuration, refer to Interface Management
Configuration.
DHCP Overview
The fast expansion and growing complexity of networks result in scarce IP addresses assignable to hosts.
Meanwhile, as many people need to take their laptops across networks, the IP addresses need to be
changed accordingly. Therefore, related configurations on hosts become more complex. The Dynamic
Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) was introduced to solve these problems.
DHCP is built on a client-server model, in which a client sends a configuration request and then the
server returns a reply to send configuration parameters such as an IP address to the client.
A typical DHCP application, as shown in
Figure 1 , includes a DHCP server and multiple clients (PCs
and laptops).
Figure 1 A typical DHCP application
NOTE:
A DHCP client can get an IP address and other configuration parameters from a DHCP server on another
subnet via a DHCP relay agent. For detailed information about the DHCP relay agent, refer to
Introduction to DHCP Relay Agent .