ARAP v BOOTP

[zillah2004]

From cisco curriculum :

"The bootstrap protocol (BOOTP) operates in a client-server environment, and only requires a single packet exchange to obtain IP information.

However, unlike RARP, BOOTP packets can include the IP address, as well as the address of a router, the address of a server, and vendor-specific information"

1- DoesIs RARP not operate in client-server environment?

2- Does ARAP require more than one packet?

3- what does it mean :"However, unlike RARP, BOOTP packets can include the IP address, as well as the address of a router, the address of a server, and vendor-specific information".

[bvanderwoude]

RARP (or Reverse ARP) can work in a client/server environment, but you need to set the hosts file up with information. It's more cumbersome to configure your end workstations first if you can just have a central place to get the information in the first place. That's why the Bootstrap Protocol was (I guess still is) much easier. Of course, there is DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol - really an extension of BootP) which is really the best thing since the invention of sliced bread - it can contain a lot more information for the end client, such as WINS Servers, DNS Servers, besides the IP, netmask and gateway information.

I don't know how many packs RARP needs. Sorry, it's just been too long since I have had to use that.

Good luck on your test.

[zillah2004]

Thanks bvander, any other clarification

[drocher]

RARP reply carry only hardware and protocol addresses (RFC 930).

BOOTP (and DHCP) provide additional pieces of information like netmask, gateway address, domain servers' address and other attibutes in the reply packets.