Provide a brief description of how DHCP works from a client's perspective.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Here's a brief rundown of how DHCP works, from a client perspective:
1. When TCP/IP is configured on the client computer, the Obtain an IP address automatically option is the only necessary set-up element. The DHCP service is automatic, which explains the terrific appeal that DHCP holds for network administrators and users alike.
2. The next time the workstation attempts to access the network (older versions of Windows must be rebooted first), it broadcasts a DHCP address request to the network because it has no IP address. It can make this broadcast because it is now configured as a DHCP client.
3. All DHCP servers present on the same broadcast domain receive the request and send back a message that indicates a willingness to grant an address lease, if an address is available.
4. The client accepts an address lease offer (usually the first one it receives) and sends a packet to the server that extended the offer.
5. In reply, the server proffers an IP address for a specific period of time (which is why it's called a lease) that the client uses thereafter.
6. When half the lease period expires, the client attempts to renew the lease. Usually, the DHCP server that granted the lease will renew it, but if it doesn't respond, the client tries to renew again at other times during the lease period. Only if the client is unable to renew its lease before expiration must that client repeat the DHCP request process, as described in Step 2.