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DHCP

DHCP provides a mechanism through which hosts using TCP/IP can obtain protocol configuration parameters automatically from a DHCP server on the network.

The most important configuration parameter carried by DHCP is the IP address. A host must be initially assigned a specific IP address that is appropriate to the network to which the computer is attached, and that is not assigned to any other host on that network. If you move a host to a new network, you must give it a new IP address.

DHCP also carries other important configuration parameters such as the subnet mask, default router, and Domain Name System (DNS) server.

An IP client contacts a DHCP server for configuration parameters. The DHCP server is typically centrally located and operated by the network administrator. Because a network administrator manages the server, DHCP clients can obtain reliable parameters appropriate to the current network architecture.

For information about DHCP, see DHCP Overview Information.

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