Question

Difficulty: MediumDHCP Architecture and Relay Services

A client workstation on VLAN 20 (192.168.20.0/24192.168.20.0/24) broadcasts a DHCPDISCOVER message to obtain an IP configuration. The Layer 3 switch interface acting as the default gateway for VLAN 20 is configured with an IP helper address pointing to a centralized DHCP server at 10.0.99.510.0.99.5 on VLAN 99. Which of the following operations accurately describe how the relay agent processes and forwards this message? (Select TWO.)

  1. The relay agent inserts the IP address of the VLAN 20 interface into the Gateway IP Address (giaddr) header field.Answer
  2. The relay agent converts the client broadcast frame into a unicast IP packet targeted to 10.0.99.510.0.99.5 using UDP port 67.Answer
  3. C
    The relay agent forwards the message as a Layer 2 broadcast frame across all trunk links using TCP port 67.
  4. D
    The relay agent populates the Gateway IP Address (giaddr) header field with the IP address of the destination DHCP server (10.0.99.510.0.99.5).

Answer

The relay agent populates the Gateway IP Address (giaddr) field with the IP address of its local receiving interface (VLAN 20 gateway) and encapsulates the client's broadcast into a unicast IP packet directed to the destination DHCP server using UDP port 67.
When a Layer 3 relay agent intercepts a broadcast DHCPDISCOVER message, it rewrites the packet payload by setting the Gateway IP Address (giaddr) field to its local client-facing interface address. It then converts the Layer 2 broadcast into a unicast IPv4 datagram and forwards it directly to the IP address specified in the helper configuration using UDP destination port 67.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze incoming broadcast and interface identification
The client issues a broadcast DHCPDISCOVER frame on VLAN 20. The Layer 3 relay agent receives this broadcast on its VLAN 20 SVI/interface.
Broadcast frames do not traverse Layer 3 boundaries natively, requiring the relay agent to intervene.
2
Modify the DHCP header giaddr field
The relay agent writes the IP address of the VLAN 20 interface into the giaddr (Gateway IP Address) field of the DHCP packet payload.
This informs the remote DHCP server which IP address pool/scope must be used for address assignment.
3
Encapsulate and forward as unicast UDP
The relay agent encapsulates the modified request into a unicast IPv4 packet with a destination address of 10.0.99.510.0.99.5 and destination UDP port 67.
Unicast packets can be routed across Layer 3 network boundaries to reach centralized servers.

Key Concept

DHCP Relay Agent Operational Mechanics and Packet Header Modification
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