In computing, BOOTP, short for Bootstrap Protocol, is a UDP network protocol used by a network client to obtain its IP address automatically. It is usually done in booting process of computers or operating systems running on them. The BOOTP servers assign the IP-address from a pool of addresses to each client with a certain lease time. It was originally defined in RFC 951.

This protocol enables 'diskless workstation' computers to obtain an IP address prior to loading any advanced operating system. Historically, it has been used for UNIX-like diskless workstations (which also obtained the location of their boot image using this protocol) and also by Corporations to 'roll out' a pre-configured Windows installation to newly purchased PCs (typically in a Windows NT network environment).

Originally requiring the use of a boot floppy disk to establish the initial network connection, the protocol became embedded in the BIOS of some Network cards themselves (such as 3c905c) and in many modern Motherboards thus allowing direct Network Booting.

Recently those with an interest in diskless stand-alone media center PCs have shown new interest in this method of booting a Windows Operating System (see eg. Personal Computer World, Feb 2005, pg 156 'Putting the Boot in').

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is a more advanced protocol based on BOOTP, but is far more complex to implement. Most DHCP servers also offer BOOTP support.

See also: RARP.

External links

• http://www.labcompliance.com/glossary/a-b-glossary.htm
• http://ipreg.unimelb.edu.au/9.html
• http://www.sunportaz.com/tech_docs/pglossary.html
• BOOTP Sequence Diagram