IP address lease extension

The IP address dynamically allocated by a DHCP server to a client has a lease. When the lease expires, the IP address is reclaimed by the DHCP server. To continue using the IP address, the client must extend the lease duration.

When half lease duration elapses, the DHCP client sends the DHCP server a DHCP-REQUEST unicast to extend the lease duration. Depending on availability of the IP address, the DHCP server returns a DHCP-ACK unicast confirming that the client's lease duration has been extended, or a DHCP-NAK unicast denying the request.

If the client receives no reply, it broadcasts another DHCP-REQUEST message for lease extension after 7/8 lease duration elapses.