What is Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol?
{{IPstack}} The '''Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol''', is a [[protocol]] related to [[computer]]s and [[network]]s 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 [[Internet Protocol#IP address|IP address]] is needed. DHCP allows for this IP address to be obtained automatically. Other data, like a [[DNS]] Nameserver, or a [[time server]] can also be obtained that way. Finally, computers that support it can even get a [[disk image]] they boot from over 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. {{Tech-stub}} [[Category:Computer protocols]] [[category:computer networking]] DHCP is one of the most complicated IP protocols in networks of computers.