DHCP lets a computer automatically obtain an IP address from a network.
The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, or DHCP, supplies configuration information to clients joining a network. A DHCP server can provide an IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS-server addresses, allowing a device to communicate without manual setup.
The familiar DHCP exchange is often summarized as DORA: Discover, Offer, Request, and Acknowledge. A client broadcasts a discovery message, a server offers a configuration, the client requests it, and the server acknowledges the lease.
DHCP generally assigns addresses for a limited lease period rather than permanently. A device may renew its lease while connected, and a network administrator can configure reservations so a particular device usually receives the same address.
DHCP is different from DNS. DHCP helps devices obtain network configuration, while DNS translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses. Both services commonly operate together in home and business networks.