DHCP Vendor Class Identifier: WEB MSFT 5 0 and dhcpcd-5 5 6 Explained

What is a DHCP Vendor Class Identifier?

Overview

A DHCP Vendor Class Identifier (VCI) is a protocol used in Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to identify the type of device requesting an IP address. It provides information about the device's manufacturer and model, allowing the DHCP server to assign appropriate IP settings.

WEB MSFT 5 0 and dhcpcd-5 5 6

WEB MSFT 5 0 is the VCI used by Windows computers. It identifies devices running Microsoft Windows operating systems.

dhcpcd-5 5 6 is the VCI used by Android devices. It identifies devices running Android operating systems.

Example: Light Cat

The "light cat" in the example you provided is likely a reference to the following VCI: 0x000029 OUI DHCP HTTP.

This VCI indicates a device that uses the Light Cat operating system, typically found on embedded systems.

Process of IP Address Assignment

When a device makes a DHCP request, it includes its VCI in the request. The DHCP server uses this information to determine the appropriate IP settings for the device. These settings include:

• IP address
• Subnet mask
• Default gateway
• DNS server addresses

Conclusion

DHCP Vendor Class Identifiers play a crucial role in IP address assignment and network management. By understanding the different VCIs, network administrators can ensure that devices are assigned appropriate IP settings for optimal network performance and security.