3Com RMON-EMP-3 Using BOOTP to Configure the Module and Interfaces, BOOTP Description

Using BOOTP to Configure the Module and Interfaces

This section describes:

❑BOOTP Description

❑BOOTP Configuration Process

❑BOOTP Requirements

❑Using BOOTP

BOOTP Description

BOOTP (Bootstrap Protocol) is a UDP/IP-based (User Datagram Protocol/Internet Protocol) broadcast protocol which allows a device to configure itself dynamically without user intervention. Use BOOTP to download configuration information from a BOOTP server to the RMON MultiProbe Module interface configured for BOOTP.

BOOTP Configuration Process

During initialization, the RMON MultiProbe Module verifies that the IP address and subnet mask of the interface configured for BOOTP is not set to null (all zeros). If either the IP address or subnet mask are null, the module automatically sends out BOOTP requests every 60 seconds through the designated BOOTP interface until it receives a valid BOOTP response. If the default gateway is originally set to null, the BOOTP server also supplies the module with gateway information.

The response from the BOOTP server supplies the RMON MultiProbe Module with its network parameters. When BOOTP obtains valid addresses, the module stores the parameters in battery-backed RAM and becomes operational.

The RMON MultiProbe Module defaults to interface 1 for a BOOTP server. Because only one interface at a time can be used with BOOTP, you can only download configuration information to the interface configured for BOOTP.

Configuring the Module 3 - 29