DHCPassisted

DHCPassisted is a network provisioning approach that combines the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) with an auxiliary policy and management layer to automate IP address assignment and related network configuration for endpoints. The model separates concerns: DHCP handles address distribution, while the external service applies context-driven rules to determine access parameters and device settings.

Operation typically involves a DHCP server responding to client requests with an IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and basic options. An external policy server or management platform provides additional configuration context—such as VLAN assignment, QoS, or NAC posture—based on device identity, location, or role. The resulting directives may be delivered through DHCP options, trigger account provisioning, or coordinate with other services like DNS and IPAM.

Key features include centralized policy management, integration with IP Address Management (IPAM) and DNS, scalable deployment across large campuses or data centers, and support for both IPv4 and IPv6 environments. Security and governance controls are typically included, with auditing of changes and access decisions.

Common use cases include campus networks with dynamic guest provisioning, IoT onboarding where devices lack user interaction, and cloud-connected edge networks requiring consistent posture and segmentation. DHCPassisted aims to improve provisioning speed, consistency, and adaptability in heterogeneous networks.

Deployment considerations encompass reliability of the policy service, redundancy of the DHCP infrastructure, privacy and data collection policies, and interoperability with existing DHCP options and vendor implementations. Administrators should balance automation benefits with risk management and regulatory compliance.

See also: DHCP, DHCPv4, DHCPv6, IPAM, DNS, network access control.