dhcpcd

dhcpcd [options] [interface]

dhcpcd is a DHCP and DHCPv6 client daemon that automatically configures network interfaces. It obtains IP addresses, default routes, and DNS servers from DHCP servers on the network, and can also process IPv6 Router Advertisements for stateless autoconfiguration.The daemon runs in the background managing network configuration as interfaces come up and down. It handles lease renewal, rebinding, and release operations automatically. Configuration hooks allow running custom scripts when network state changes.dhcpcd is commonly used as the default network configuration tool on many Linux distributions, particularly those without NetworkManager. It's lightweight, follows RFC standards closely, and integrates well with embedded and server environments.

-k, --release

Release current leases and exit

Request new leases (rebind)

Exit daemon

Debug mode (don't fork)

Don't run in background

Only configure IPv4

Only configure IPv6

Background immediately

Configure a static DHCP value (e.g., ipaddress, routers, domainname_servers)

Send DHCP INFORM instead of DISCOVER/REQUEST

Test mode, don't configure interfaces

/etc/dhcpcd.conf

Main configuration file controlling interface behavior, static addresses, hooks, and client options.

May conflict with NetworkManager or systemd-networkd. Configuration file is /etc/dhcpcd.conf. Requires root privileges.

dhclient(8), nmcli(1), ip(8)