Black Box 16 port, 24 port manual How Bootp works, Bootp request and response, 229

How BOOTP works

On bootup or power-up, the unit will send a broadcast request to the BOOTP server(s) on the network. The request contains the ethernet address of the unit; it asks for network configuration details (internet address, subnet mask, etc.). This process is shown on page 229.You can stop the BOOTP server from replying to the unit; see page 236.

BOOTP request and response

The BOOTP server checks the ethernet address and looks for a matching address in its bootptab file:

If a matching ethernet address is found the BOOTP server will reply to the unit; the reply will contain network configuration information. This information is listed in the bootptab file for that particular unit (identified by its hardware address). The unit then boots using the information sent to it. If no matching ethernet address is found the BOOTP server does not reply; the unit boots from internal memory.

The BOOTP response contains network configuration information; e.g. ip address, subnet mask, broadcast address. It may also contain details of a bootfile (not mandatory).

A bootfile (if you specify one) contains a unit’s specific boot information; e.g. authentication method of users, access permission for the GUI. It may also contain details of other files (not mandatory); e.g. software version, language files and a general configuration file.

Black Box Console Server user guide 229