Cisco DHCP Relay and IP Helper are the terms related to the Cisco routers. Their configuration differs as to which one we can enable and disable.
They are the two most vital elements in the system. DHCP is the abbreviation for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.
IP is the abbreviation for Internet protocol.
They both are very important and interesting in their ways. Let us get into some detailed information to know more about them.
Cisco DHCP Relay vs IP Helper
The difference between Cisco DHCP Relay and IP Helper is that they are kind of the same thing but different vendors. DHCP Relay is the concept where the server and the medium are not on the same LAN yet the host or medium might get a server from another LAN. In IP helper, the address of a server is located in a different LAN from which requests are answered.
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DHCP Relay is a medium or host that is used to forward requests as well as replies among the server and clients. It is done when the server is on a different network.
Their function is to first receive a DHCP message and then introduce another new DHCP message and then finally send it to the interface.
The IP helper is present as a pre-installed program in windows 10. It works on its own by default and we need not configure it unless necessary.
However, disabling it does not cause any harm to the system unless there is any connectivity issue.
Comparison Table
| Parameters | DHCP relay | IP Helper |
|---|---|---|
| Function | DSCP relay forward between server and client when a server is present. | IP helper does not forward a broadcast request to the server by default. |
| Settings | It is not our choice to enable DHCP Relay. | We can disable and again reenable the IP helper according to our will. |
| Server | DSCP relay forward between server and client when a server is present. | IP helper does not forward a broadcast request to the server by default. |
| Advantage | DHCP Relay, with the help of commands, can also configure the router. | IP helper has no such advantage or facility. |
| Ability | DSCP relay refers to the ability of the host to forward DHCP packets. | The IP address refers to the cisco syntax. |
What is Cisco DHCP Relay?
A Cisco DHCP Relay refers to any medium that forwards DHCP packets between a given server and a client. This is when the server and the client are not on the same physical subnet.
It is software included under Cisco routers. They are enabled by default.
However, we can check the configuration file to see if they are disabled. To reenable it, the service DHCP command is used.
After receiving a DHCP message, the relay agent generates a new DHCP message and sends it to another interface.
A great advantage of Cisco DHCP is that it supports the usage of an unnumbered interface. It hosts a static host route automatically to connect the clients through unnumbered interfaces.
It is possible specifically when the client obtains the address and also the unnumbered interface as an outbound interface.
A Cisco DHCP can also receive a message from another DHCP that contains any kind of DHCP information. In such cases, the relay information from the previous relay is replaced.
This process takes place by default. However, it might not be suitable for our network every time.
We can use the ‘IP DHCP relay information policy‘ to configure it.
What is IP Helper?
IP helper helps in the network administration of computers by a process of retrieving network configuration information. It helps to modify the configuration of local computers.
In other words, we can say it is a router function that enables broadcast traffic to mass between several networks in a systematic way.
It consists of IP Helper addresses. It refers to the IP addresses that are configured on a routed interface.
By routed interface, it means that a specific device that acts as a medium.
It is suggested to not change the default configuration unless required. It is safe to leave it running in the background without any obstacle.
However, if there is a reason to disable it, it is safe to do so. Stopping the IP helper does not affect the system in an adverse manner.
There is an IP forward-protocol system. In this system, the router is set to forward ND packets for a workstation that does not possess disks.
The HTTP server has an IP HTTP router. It denotes that nothing else is connected to the router.
Main Differences Between Cisco DHCP Relay and IP Helper
- Cisco DHCP Relay is used to forward the requests from broadcast to the central server. On the other hand, the IP helper is the command required to process the DHCP relay in routers.
- DHCP Relay, with the help of commands, can also configure the router. Whereas, IP helper has no such advantage or facility.
- It is not our choice to enable DHCP Relay. However, we can disable and again reenable the IP helper according to our will.
- DSCP relay forward between server and client when a server is present. IP helper does not forward a broadcast request to the server by default.
- DSCP relay refers to the ability of the host to forward DHCP packets. The IP address refers to the cisco syntax.
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9297852/
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9297852/
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
