Today, we are going to learn how a BOOTP (Bootstrap Protocol) works. Before, entering the topic named How does BOOTP works, let us know a little about BOOTP (Bootstrap Protocol) and its history too.

BOOTP (Bootstrap Protocol)

Bootstrap Protocol is another name for BOOTP. Utilized in computer networking is this protocol. A protocol is the Bootstrap Protocol. The Internet serves as the foundation for this protocol. This therefore explains why it is referred to as an Internet Protocol (IP). The network user can use this to get an Internet Protocol (IP) address. The network user quickly configures the IP address they just obtained. This enables the booting of an operating system to take place without interference from the outside world or user cooperation.

The BOOTP (Bootstrap Protocol) has to be run on a server. A network administrator will be responsible for this server. An Internet Protocol (IP) Address can be obtained by the network user through the usage of this service.

The network user quickly configures the IP address they just obtained. This enables an operating system to boot without interference from the outside world or user cooperation.

History of BOOTP

Reverse Address Resolution Protocol (RARP) was replaced by the BOOTP (Bootstrap Protocol) in 1985 as a result of Request for Comments 951 (also known as RFC 951). Every server must have a server present on its Internet Protocol (IP) address in order for this protocol to work. A central BOOTP (Bootstrap Protocol) server can be established for many subnets by using the BOOTP (Bootstrap Protocol) protocol.

UDP, the predecessor to Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, is used today to carry out the Bootstrap Protocol (BOOTP). Client requests are managed by Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) servers.

Working of BOOTP

When a BOOTP client first starts up, it does not know its IP address or the IP address of the BOOTP server. As a result, it broadcasts a message across the network that contains its MAC address.

A "BOOTREQUEST," also referred to as a general broadcast message, is sent to the broadcast address. When the request is received, the server listening on UDP port 67 processes it by allocating an IP address to the client's MAC (Media Access Control) address.

The "BOOTREPLY" request, which includes network information and is delivered back to the client through broadcast, is what it responds to the client with. It contains the following information:

1. IP address (ciaddr and yiaddr), subnet mask, and default gateway address (giaddr) of the client.
2. The BOOTP server's hostname and IP address (siaddr).
3. The server's IP address where the boot image is located.

It first obtains the information from the BOOTP server, initializes and configures the TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) stack, and then establishes a connection to the server hosting the boot image. Finally, the client loads the image and launches its Operating System (OS) using the data.

Uses of BOOTP

The uses of BOOTP include:

• System checks require the BOOTP (Bootstrap Protocol). When the computer is turned on, the System is examined for a network.
• Since each computer on the network keeps track of its own BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) cycle, the motherboard and network management are able to efficiently organize the data flow on the device as soon as it turns on.
• The Bootstrap Protocol (BOOTP) is widely used to facilitate the use of motherboards and managers that operate over a network. Therefore, thanks to this protocol, just a cloud network is needed for storage.
• A client and a server must connect in order to send and receive requests and the networking server's appropriate answers must communicate using BOOTP.

This is how a Bootstrap Protocol works.