Overview

The DHCP relay agent enables clients to get IP addresses from a DHCP server on another subnet. This feature avoids deploying a DHCP server for each subnet to centralize management and reduce investment. Figure 20 shows a typical application of the DHCP relay agent.

An MCE device serving as the DHCP relay agent can forward DHCP packets between a DHCP server and clients on either a public network or a private network. For more information about MCE, see MCE Configuration Guide.

	NOTE: The term "interface" in this section collectively refers to Layer 3 interfaces, including VLAN interfaces and Layer 3 Ethernet interfaces. You can set an Ethernet port as a Layer 3 interface by using the port link-mode route command (see Layer 2—LAN Switching Configuration Guide).