A device bootstrap method and a terminal configured to send a bootstrap request to a server, wherein the bootstrap request includes a node identifier (ID) and a transmission channel parameter of the terminal, receiving an acknowledgment message carrying a transmission channel selected by the server, where the transmission channel is determined based on the transmission channel parameter, receiving a temporary ID indication message including a temporary ID and a temporary key sent by a forwarding apparatus, where the forwarding apparatus is a network element that is configured to send a message to the terminal through the transmission channel selected by the server, and wherein the terminal is further configured to establish a secure communication channel with the server according to the temporary ID and the temporary key.