Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
To be able to access the Internet (or any computer network), an IP address is needed. DHCP allows for this IP address to be obtained automatically by a router. If DHCP was not used, a user would have to manually give an available IP address to their device. This is also known as giving a device a static IP. Other data, like a DNS Nameserver, or a time server can also be obtained that way. Computers that support network booting can get a disk image that they can boot from through the network. The address can be dynamic (it can change), or it can be static (it stays the same). After a certain time, the address lease has to be renewed. DHCP is one of the most complicated IP protocols in networks of computers. |