The dhc working group (DHC WG) has developed DHCP for automated allocation, configuration and management of IP addresses and TCP/IP protocol stack parameters. DHCPv4 is currently a "Draft Standard" and is documented in RFC 2131 and RFC 2132. DHCPv6 is currently a "Proposed Standard" and is documented in RFC 3315. Subsequent RFCs document additional options and other enhancements to the specifications. The DHC WG is responsible for reviewing DHCP options or other extensions (for both IPv4 and IPv6). The DHC WG is expected to review all proposed extensions to DHCP to ensure that they are consistent with the DHCP specification and other option formats, that they do not duplicate existing mechanisms, etc. Generally speaking, the DHC WG will not be responsible for evaluating the semantic content of proposed options. Similarly, the ownership of specifications typically belongs the relevant working group that needs more functionality from DHCP, not the DHC WG. The DHC WG coordinates reviews of the proposed options together with those working groups. It is required that those working groups have consensus to take on the work and that the work is within their charter. Exceptionally, with AD agreement, this same process can also be used for Individual Submissions originating outside WGs. However, the DHC WG can in some cases develop its own options that relate to either maintenance of existing specifications or improvements in the operation of the DHCP infrastructure itself. The DHC WG has the following main objectives: * Develop extensions to the DHCP infrastructure as required to meet new applications and deployments of DHCP. The topics currently in development are: - Subnet allocation mechanisms - Virtual subnet identification option - Option for passing DNS domain information in DHCPv6 - DHCP relay agent assignment notification in DHCPv6 - Option for DHCPv6 server reply sequence numbers - Rebinding capability for DHCPv6 Reconfigure messages - Behavior of layer 2 relay agents The adoption of new items requires explicit agreement from the AD or rechartering. * Write analyses of the DHCPv4 and DHCPv6 specifications, including RFC 2131, RFC 2132, RFC 3315 and other RFCs defining additional options, which identifies ambiguities, contradictory specifications and other obstacles to development of interoperable implementations. Recommend a process for resolving identified problems and incorporating the resolutions into the DHCP specification. Secondly, advance DHCPv4 (RFC 2131 and RFC 2132) and DHCPv6 (RFC 3315) in IETF Standards Track. Thirdly, specify guidelines for creating new DHCP options, and report on the status of DHCPv4 option reclassification. * Assess the requirements for a dual-stack host to use DHCP to obtain configuration settings for both IPv4 and IPv6. Hosts that include implementations of both IPv4 and IPv6 ("dual-stack hosts") may use DHCP to obtain configuration settings (including assigned addresses) for both IPv4 and IPv6. The DHCPv4 and DHCPv6 specifications (RFC 2131, RFC 2132, RFC 3315 and subsequent RFCs) do not explicitly explain how a dual-stack host uses DHCP to obtain configuration settings for both IP stacks. The DHC WG will evaluate solutions for configuration of dual-stack hosts through DHCP and select a solution that will be developed and published by the WG. * Hold a discussion whether on-link prefix information and default router information is needed in DHCP in addition to router advertisements. Actual solutions are out of scope for the WG, however.