7.1. Client Transmission

Before setting up the packet for the first time, it is a good idea to clear the entire packet buffer to all zeros; this will place all fields in their default state. The client then creates a packet with the following fields.

The IP destination address is set to 255.255.255.255. (the broadcast address) or to the server's IP address (if known). The IP source address and 'ciaddr' are set to the client's IP address if known, else 0. The UDP header is set with the proper length; source port = 'BOOTP client' port destination port = 'BOOTP server' port.

'op' is set to '1', BOOTREQUEST. 'htype' is set to the hardware address type as assigned in the ARP section of the "Assigned Numbers" RFC. 'hlen' is set to the length of the hardware address, e.g. '6' for 10mb ethernet.

'xid' is set to a 'random' transaction id. 'secs' is set to the number of seconds that have elapsed since the client has started booting. This will let the servers know how long a client has been trying. As the number gets larger, certain servers may feel more 'sympathetic' towards a client they don't normally service. If a client lacks a suitable clock, it could construct a rough estimate using a loop timer. Or it could choose to simply send this field as always a fixed value, say 100 seconds.

If the client knows its IP address, 'ciaddr' (and the IP source address) are set to this value. 'chaddr' is filled in with the client's hardware address.

If the client wishes to restrict booting to a particular server name, it may place a null-terminated string in 'sname'. The name used should be any of the allowable names or nicknames of the desired host.

The client has several options for filling the 'file' name field. If left null, the meaning is 'I want to boot the default file for my machine'. A null file name can also mean 'I am only interested in finding out client/server/gateway IP addresses, I dont care about file names'.

The field can also be a 'generic' name such as 'unix' or 'gateway'; this means 'boot the named program configured for my machine'. Finally the field can be a fully directory qualified path name.

The 'vend' field can be filled in by the client with vendor-specific strings or structures. For example the machine hardware type or serial number may be placed here. However the operation of the BOOTP server should not DEPEND on this information existing.

If the 'vend' field is used, it is recommended that a 4 byte 'magic number' be the first item within 'vend'. This lets a server determine what kind of information it is seeing in this field. Numbers can be assigned by the usual 'magic number' process --you pick one and it's magic. A different magic number could be used for bootreply's than bootrequest's to allow the client to take special action with the reply information.

[UDP checksum.]