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DHCPv6 overview 
DHCPv6 provides a framework to assign IPv6 prefixes, IPv6 addresses, and other configuration 
parameters to hosts. 
DHCPv6 address/prefix assignment 
An address/prefix assignment process involves two or four messages. 
Rapid assignment involving two messages 
As shown in Figure 96, rapid assignment operates in the following steps: 
1.  The DHCPv6 client sends to the DHCPv6 server a Solicit message that contains a Rapid 
Commit option to prefer rapid assignment. 
2.  If the DHCPv6 server supports rapid assignment, it responds with a Reply message containing 
the assigned IPv6 address/prefix and other configuration parameters. If the DHCPv6 server 
does not support rapid assignment, Assignment involving four messages is
 performed. 
Figure 96 Rapid assignment involving two messages 
 
 
Assignment involving four messages 
As shown in Figure 97, four-message assignment operates using the following steps: 
1.  The DHCPv6 client sends a Solicit message to request an IPv6 address/prefix and other 
configuration parameters. 
2.  The DHCPv6 server responds with an Advertise message that contains the assignable 
address/prefix and other configuration parameters if either of the following conditions exists: 
{  The Solicit message does not contain a Rapid Commit option. 
{  The DHCPv6 server does not support rapid assignment even though the Solicit message 
contains a Rapid Commit option. 
3.  The DHCPv6 client might receive multiple Advertise messages offered by different DHCPv6 
servers. It selects an offer according to the receiving sequence and server priority, and sends a 
Request message to the selected server for confirmation. 
4.  The DHCPv6 server sends a Reply message to the client, confirming that the address/prefix 
and other configuration parameters are assigned to the client.