168Configuring the BOOTP clientAbout BOOTP clientBOOTP applicationAn interface that acts as a BOOTP client can use BOOTP to obtain information (such as IP address)from the BOOTP server.To use BOOTP, an administrator must configure a BOOTP parameter file for each BOOTP client onthe BOOTP server. The parameter file contains information such as MAC address and IP address ofa BOOTP client. When a BOOTP client sends a request to the BOOTP server, the BOOTP serversearches for the BOOTP parameter file and returns the corresponding configuration information.BOOTP is usually used in relatively stable environments. In network environments that changefrequently, DHCP is more suitable.Because a DHCP server can interact with a BOOTP client, you can use the DHCP server to assignan IP address to the BOOTP client. You do not need to configure a BOOTP server.Obtaining an IP address dynamicallyA BOOTP client dynamically obtains an IP address from a BOOTP server as follows:1. The BOOTP client broadcasts a BOOTP request, which contains its own MAC address.2. Upon receiving the request, the BOOTP server searches the configuration file for the IPaddress and other information according to the BOOTP client's MAC address.3. The BOOTP server returns a BOOTP response to the BOOTP client.4. The BOOTP client obtains the IP address from the received response.A DHCP server can take the place of the BOOTP server in the following dynamic IP addressacquisition.Protocols and standards• RFC 951, Bootstrap Protocol (BOOTP)• RFC 2132, DHCP Options and BOOTP Vendor Extensions• RFC 1542, Clarifications and Extensions for the Bootstrap ProtocolConfiguring an interface to use BOOTP for IPaddress acquisitionStep Command Remarks1. Enter system view. system-view N/A2. Enter interface view. interface interface-typeinterface-numberBOOTP client configurationapplies only to Layer 3 Ethernetinterfaces (includingsubinterfaces), Layer 3 aggregateinterfaces, and VLAN interfaces.
