Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol

The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, is a protocol related to computers and networks of computers. It is referred to as DHCP for short. It was made so that computers could connect to other computers (on a network) automatically.

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.

This short article about technology can be made longer. You can help Wikipedia by adding to it.

DHCP is one of the most complicated IP protocols in networks of computers.