Why Does My Router Say "MSFT 50"?
Unveiling the Mystery Behind Windows OS DHCP Requests
Introduction
Have you ever wondered what "MSFT 50" means on your router? If you're using a Windows OS device, it's a common configuration that can be seen when examining DHCP packets. DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is a network protocol that assigns IP addresses and other network configuration parameters to devices on a network. When you connect your Windows device to a Wi-Fi router, the router assigns an IP address and other settings to your device using DHCP. As part of this process, your device sends a "DHCP Discover" packet to the router, which includes a vendor class identifier (VCI) or Option 60.
MSFT 50 and VCI
The VCI is a vendor-specific identifier that tells the router what type of device is making the request. In the case of Windows OS devices, the VCI is set to "MSFT 50". This VCI value is used by the router to identify a Windows device and to provide the appropriate network configuration settings. For example, Windows devices may receive different DNS server settings or lease durations compared to other types of devices on the network.
Evolution of MSFT 50
In earlier versions of Windows, the VCI was simply "MSFT 50". However, with the release of Windows 10 version 1803 (April 2018 Update), the VCI was updated to include additional information. Now, some devices may show up as "MSFT 50 XBOX". This change indicates that the device is a Windows 10 device that is running the Xbox application or platform.
Other Vendor Class Identifiers
Besides "MSFT 50", there are other common VCI values that you may encounter when using your router. Here are a few examples:
- Apple: AppleBRCM63xx
- Android: dhcpcd-556
- Google: Google-CNCF-GCE-VMs
- Amazon: Amazon-EC2
Conclusion
The "MSFT 50" value that you see on your router is the VCI for Windows OS devices. This VCI helps the router identify your device and provide the correct network configuration settings. Understanding the purpose of VCI values can help you troubleshoot network issues and optimize your network performance.
Komentar