What is DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)?
DHCP is acronym of Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is a network protocol that assigns unique IP addresses to machine. Dynamic Host Configuration protocol that enables a server to automatically assign an IP address to a computer from a defined range of numbers.
How DHCP Works
A DHCP server is used to provide unique IP addresses and automatically configure another network information. In most homes and businesses, the router acts as the DHCP server(Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol server). In large networks, a single computer might act as the DHCP server.
Why we are using DHCP?
Every device on a TCP/IP-based network must have a unique unicast IP address to access the network and its resources. Without DHCP, IP addresses must be configured manually for new computers or computers that are moved from one subnet to another, and manually reclaimed for computers that are removed from the network.
DHCP enables this entire process to be automated and managed centrally. The DHCP server maintains a pool of IP addresses and leases an address to any DHCP-enabled client when it starts up on the network. Because the IP addresses are dynamic (leased) rather than static (permanently assigned), addresses no longer in use are automatically returned to the pool for reallocation.
Why Is DHCP Important?
When connected to a network, every computer must be assigned a unique address. However, when adding a machine to a network, the assignment and configuration of network (IP) addresses has required human action. The computer user had to request an address, and then the administrator would manually configure the machine.