Dhcp Protocol

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is a network protocol that enables a server to automatically assign an IP address to a computer from a defined range of numbers, configured for a given network. (University, 2009(Copyright 2005-2010))

Allows network administrators to centrally manage and automate the assignment of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses in an organization's network. Using this 'internet protocol', each computer that can connect to the internet needs a unique IP address, which is assigned when an Internet connection is created for a specific computer. Without DHCP, the IP address must be entered manually at each computer in an organization.

A new IP address must be entered each time a computer moves to a new location on the network. DHCP lets a network administrator supervise and distribute IP addresses from a central point and automatically sends a new IP address when a computer is plugged into a different place on a network.

DHCP uses the concept of a "lease" or amount of time that a given IP address will be valid for a computer. The least time can vary depending on how long a user is likely to require the internet connection at a particular location. It's especially useful in education and other environments where users change frequently. Using very short leases, DHCP can dynamically reconfigure networks in which there are more computers than there are IP addresses available. The protocol also supports static addresses for computers that need a permanent IP address, like Web servers do.

When you deploy Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol servers on your network, you can automatically provide client computers and other TCP/IP based network devices with valid IP addresses. You can also provide additional configuration parameters these clients and devices need, called DHCP options that allow that allow them to connect to other network...