Dynamic Host Configuration ProtocolΒΆ
Users access resources on the network using applications on the host devices such as laptops, tablets, and other.
A host device has an operating system and user applications. The host is configured to be connected to the network with an IP address assignment in a subnet and reachability information for resolving names to IP addresses.
Host interface configuration includes:
IP address of the host interface along with its subnet address range
Routes for a configured set of destination subnets
DNS (Domain Name Server) IP address
Note
Implementation Insight
Most user end devices, i.e., hosts, have pre-installed operating systems with a default DHCP client application. The DHCP client application is programmed to run as soon as the device is turned on. This application acquires the network interface configuration from a DHCP service that is running in any network that the user encounters (and allows the device to connect to). In other words, most of the time, no user action is required. In this respect, the user seamlessly connects to networks that the device may reside in without knowing the specifics of the host interface configuration per network.