DHCP Snooping: Functions and Importance

What Does DHCP Snooping Do?

Question

Which function is performed by DHCP snooping?

Answers

Explanations

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A. B. C. D.

B.

DHCP Snooping is a security feature that is used to prevent rogue DHCP servers from distributing false DHCP information on the network. It operates by listening to DHCP traffic and validating the DHCP messages, specifically DHCP Discover, Offer, Request, and Acknowledge messages, that are sent between the client and server.

The primary function of DHCP snooping is to prevent unauthorized or malicious DHCP server attacks, which can cause network disruptions and security breaches. When a rogue DHCP server is connected to a network, it can assign IP addresses to unsuspecting clients and redirect traffic to an attacker-controlled server. This can result in data theft, traffic redirection, and other security issues.

DHCP Snooping operates by configuring trusted and untrusted ports on the switch. Trusted ports are those that are connected to legitimate DHCP servers, and untrusted ports are those that are connected to hosts or other switches. DHCP snooping listens to DHCP traffic on untrusted ports, and if it detects any DHCP packets, it validates them against the DHCP binding database. The binding database contains a list of MAC addresses, IP addresses, and port numbers that have been assigned by trusted DHCP servers. If the DHCP packet matches an entry in the binding database, it is allowed to pass through to the client. If the packet does not match an entry in the binding database, it is dropped by the switch.

In summary, DHCP snooping is a feature used to secure the network against rogue DHCP servers. It functions by listening to DHCP traffic, validating DHCP messages, and preventing unauthorized IP address assignment. By enabling DHCP snooping, network administrators can ensure that all DHCP traffic is controlled and legitimate, thereby reducing the risk of security breaches and network disruptions.