Avaya C360 - Manual (Page 175)

BOOTP/DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) Relay Configuration
Issue 1 July 2006 175
BOOTP/DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
Relay Configuration
BOOTP/DHCP Overview
BOOTP
Short for Bootstrap Protocol, BootP is an Internet protocol that enables a diskless workstation to
discover its own IP address, the IP address of a BOOTP server on the network, and a file to be
loaded into memory to boot the machine. This enables the workstation to boot without requiring
a hard or floppy disk drive. It is used when the user/station location changes frequently.
The protocol is defined by RFC 951.
DHCP
Short for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, DHCP assigns dynamic IP addresses to
devices on a network. With dynamic addressing, a device can have a different IP address every
time it connects to the network. In some systems, the device's IP address can even change
while it is still connected. DHCP also supports a mix of static and dynamic IP addresses.
Dynamic addressing simplifies network administration because the software keeps track of IP
addresses rather than requiring an administrator to manage the task. This means that a new
computer can be added to a network without the hassle of manually assigning it a unique IP
address. Many ISPs use dynamic IP addressing for dial-up users. However, dynamic
addressing may not be desirable for a network server.
DHCP/BOOTP Relay
The C360 supports the DHCP/BOOTP Relay Agent function. This is an application that accepts
DHCP/BOOTP requests that are broadcast on one VLAN and sends them to a DHCP/BOOTP
server that connects to another VLAN or a server that may be located across one or more
routers that would otherwise not get the broadcast request. The relay agent handles the DHCP/
BOOTP replies as well, transmitting them to the client directly or as broadcast, according to a
flag in the reply message. Note that the same DHCP/BOOTP relay agent serves both the
BOOTP and DHCP protocols.
When there is more than one IP interface on a VLAN, the C360 automatically chooses one of
the IP interface's to determine the relay network. Alternatively, you can configure the relay
networks that the C360 will use. If you have defined more than one network, the C360 selects
the network to be relayed on a Round Robin basis.