Chapter 14 Configuring Dhcp Features; Understanding Dhcp Features - Cisco Catalyst 2360 Software Configuration Manual

Configuring DHCP Features
This chapter describes how to configure DHCP features on the Catalyst 2360 switch.
For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this chapter, see the command
Note
reference for this release, and see the "DHCP Commands" section in the Cisco IOS IP Command
Reference, Volume 1 of 3: Addressing and Services, Release 12.2.
This chapter consists of these sections:
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Understanding DHCP Features

DHCP is widely used in LAN environments to dynamically assign host IP addresses from a centralized
server, which significantly reduces the overhead of administration of IP addresses. DHCP also helps
conserve the limited IP address space because IP addresses no longer need to be permanently assigned
to hosts; only those hosts that are connected to the network consume IP addresses.
See these sections:
•
•
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For information about the DHCP client, see the "Configuring DHCP" section of the "IP Addressing and
Services" section of the Cisco IOS IP Configuration Guide, Release 12.2.
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Understanding DHCP Features, page 14-1
Configuring DHCP Features, page 14-2
DHCP Server, page 14-2
DHCP Relay Agent, page 14-2
A DHCP relay agent is a device that forwards DHCP packets between clients and servers. Relay
agents forward requests and replies between clients and servers when they are not on the same
physical subnet. Relay agent forwarding is different from the normal Layer 2 forwarding, in which
IP datagrams are switched transparently between networks. Relay agents receive DHCP messages
and generate new DHCP messages to send on output interfaces.Cisco IOS DHCP Server Database,
page 14-2
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Catalyst 2360 Switch Software Configuration Guide
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