DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)

What is DHCP?

The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a network protocol that automatically assigns IP addresses and other configuration parameters such as subnet masks or DNS servers to devices in the network. DHCP considerably simplifies the management of networks as it makes the manual configuration of each individual device superfluous. As soon as a device is connected to the network, it automatically receives a valid IP address, which is required for communication in the network.

Advantages and use

The main advantages of DHCP are time savings and error reduction during network configuration. It enables dynamic assignment of IP addresses and ensures that there are no conflicts due to duplicate addresses. DHCP is used in almost all modern networks, from small offices to large corporate networks, to automate the management of IP addressing.