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Windows 10 DHCP Client-Side Features: Vendor-Specific Options

Introduction

In the Windows 10 April 2018 update, new DHCP client-side features were introduced. These features allow devices to request and receive vendor-specific options from DHCP servers. This can be used to provide additional configuration information to devices, such as the device's operating system or the vendor's preferred settings.

Vendor-Specific Options

Vendor-specific options are a type of DHCP option that is used to provide additional configuration information to devices. These options are not defined by the DHCP standard, and their meaning is specific to the vendor that created them. Some examples of vendor-specific options include: * The "MSFT 5.0" option, which is used by Microsoft Windows devices to identify themselves to DHCP servers. * The "dhcpcd-5.5.6" option, which is used by Android devices to identify themselves to DHCP servers. * The "Vendor Class Identifier" option, which is used by DHCP servers to identify the type of device that is requesting an IP address.

DHCP Server Configuration

In order for devices to receive vendor-specific options, the DHCP server must be configured to send them. This can be done by adding a vendor-specific option to the DHCP server's configuration file. The following is an example of how to add the "MSFT 5.0" option to a DHCP server's configuration file: ``` option msft "MSFT 5.0" ```

Client Behavior

When a device requests an IP address from a DHCP server, it will send a DHCP request message. This message includes the device's vendor class identifier. The DHCP server will use this identifier to determine if the device is eligible to receive vendor-specific options. If the device is eligible to receive vendor-specific options, the DHCP server will include these options in the DHCP lease that it sends to the device. The device will then use these options to configure itself.

Security Considerations

Vendor-specific options can be used to provide additional configuration information to devices, but they can also be used to track devices. This is because vendor-specific options can be used to identify the device's operating system or the vendor's preferred settings. If you are concerned about privacy, you should disable vendor-specific options on your devices. You can do this by changing the DHCP server's configuration file or by using a firewall to block DHCP traffic.

Conclusion

Vendor-specific options are a powerful feature that can be used to provide additional configuration information to devices. However, you should be aware of the security risks associated with vendor-specific options before you use them.