Final answer:
The DHCP ACK originates from a DHCP server, which responds to a client's request on UDP port 68, following a standard process involving several messages that allow a client device to obtain an IP address and network configuration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, or DHCP, is a network management protocol used on Internet Protocol networks. When a client device connects to a network, it can automatically obtain its IP address and other related configuration details through DHCP. The process includes several steps: DISCOVER, OFFER, REQUEST, and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
The DHCP ACK, which stands for acknowledgement, is a message sent by the DHCP server in response to a DHCP REQUEST from the client. This ACK packet is an indication that the server has accepted the client's request for an IP address and related configuration. In terms of port numbers, the DHCP server originally receives the request on UDP port 67 and responds to the client on UDP port 68. It's important to note that DHCP messages are usually transmitted as broadcast messages on the local network, which allows them to reach clients that don't yet have an IP address configured.