Overview

A DHCPv6 client usually uses a multicast address to contact the DHCPv6 server on the local link to obtain an IPv6 address and other configuration parameters. As shown in Figure 74, if the DHCPv6 server resides on another subnet, the DHCPv6 clients need a DHCPv6 relay agent to contact the server. The relay agent feature avoids deploying a DHCP server on each subnet.

Figure 74: Typical DHCPv6 relay agent application

As shown in Figure 75, a DHCPv6 client obtains an IPv6 address and other network configuration parameters from a DHCPv6 server through a DHCPv6 relay agent. The following example uses rapid assignment to describe the process:

Figure 75: Operating process of a DHCPv6 relay agent