Week 6 DHCPv6

 Dynamic Host configuration protocol or DHCP is a network protocol that is used to automate the process of assigning an IP address and additional network configuration data to any new connecting devices. This allows for networks to be more streamlined in their process of assigning new devices IP addresses and eliminates issues that occur on a manual network of a device not being able to connect because of a specific IP address being attached to the connected port, or all are already assigned.

               DHCPv6 is the protocol for IPv6 addresses. It is an extension of DHCP designed specifically for an IPv6 network. Just like with regular DHCP, it allows the connected devices to automatically obtain an IP address, DNS server information and domain names and other configuration data. DHCPv6 has 3 key features: stateful configuration, stateless configuration and multicast communication.

·       Stateful configuration: Assigns IPv6 addresses and tracks their usage, similar to DHCP for IPv4

·       Stateless configuration: Provides additional configuration parameters (DNS Servers) without assigning IP addresses, complementing IPv6’s stateless address autoconfiguration (SLAAC).

·       Multicast communication: Unlike DHCPv4, DHCPv6 uses multicast instead of broadcast for communication, improving efficiency and scalability.

DHCPv6 operates using a client-server model and involves a four-message exchange:

1.       Solicit: The client sends a multicast message to locate available DHCPv6 servers.

2.       Advertise: Servers respond with an Advertise message, indicating their availability.

3.       Request: The client selects a server and requests an IPv6 address and other configuration parameters.

4.       Reply: The server assigns the requested address and parameters, completing the process.

This process utilizes two ports. The client listens on UDP port 546, and the server listens on UDP port 547. 

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