---
name: "bootptest"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "bootp"
version: "2.4.3-21.1"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/bootptest"
---

# bootptest(8)

send BOOTP queries and print responses

## NAME

bootptest - send BOOTP queries and print responses

## SYNOPSIS

**bootptest** \[ **-f** *bootfile* \] \[ **-h** \] \[ **-m** *magic\_number* \] *server-name* \[*template-file*\]

## DESCRIPTION

**bootptest** sends BOOTP requests to the host specified as *server-name* at one-second intervals until either a response is received, or until ten requests have gone unanswered. After a response is received, **bootptest** will wait one more second listening for additional responses.

## OPTIONS

- **-f**

  *bootfile* Fill in the boot file field of the request with *bootfile*.

- **-h**

  Use the hardware (Ethernet) address to identify the client. By default, the IP address is copied into the request indicating that this client already knows its IP address.

- **-m**

  *magic\_number* Initialize the first word of the vendor options field with *magic\_number*.

A *template-file* may be specified, in which case **bootptest** uses the (binary) contents of this file to initialize the *options* area of the request packet.

## CREDITS

The bootptest program is a combination of original and derived works. The main program module (bootptest.c) is original work by Gordon W. Ross \<gwr@mc.com\>. The packet printing module (print-bootp.c) is a slightly modified version of a file from the BSD tcpdump program.

This program includes software developed by the University of California, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and its contributors. (See the copyright notice in print-bootp.c)

## SEE ALSO

[bootpd(8)](/bootpd/8.md)

## REFERENCES

- RFC951

  BOOTSTRAP PROTOCOL (BOOTP)

- RFC1048

  BOOTP Vendor Information Extensions