
When a client requests the DHCP server for an IP address, the DHCP server provides the IP address and network configuration parameters such as the subnet mask and the default gateways for a particular time period – called a lease. The DHCP server does not permanently allocate an IP address to a device, but provides it for a particular time period. Since DHCP enables dynamic IP address allocation, the address allocated to a DHCP client device is not fixed. When the device accepts this IP addresses, the DHCP server updates its data store with the IP address and the allocated client.


When a network device requests a IP address to communicate in the network, the DHCP server offers the client a IP address from its pool of IP addresses. DHCP automates this mundane IP configuration task by automatically assigning IP addresses and other related parameters to the network devices. DHCP was introduced to streamline the process.

With policies like bring your own device (BYOD) implemented to enhance productivity, it is a burden for IT network admins to assign IP addresses and keep track of them manually. While its possible for the network admin to manually configure IP addresses and other networking parameters for every device in the network, it becomes increasingly tedious and difficult as the network scales.
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A device that supports dynamic IP allocation isn't required to have the same IP address every time it connects to the internet.įor example: The IP address assigned to your device while connecting to a free Wi-Fi can change every time you make a fresh connection.ĭefault gateway: Default gateways are devices, like routers, that enable communication between networks. You can always access Google using its static IP.ĭynamic IP: Dynamic IPs are IP addresses that are automatically assigned to the network device by an address provider, such as DHCP servers. These are fixed address allocation and are not subject to change at any point during networking.įor example: 172.217.6.164 is the static IP address of Google. Static IP: Static IPs are IP addresses that are manually assigned to network devices. IP Pool: A set of sequential IP addresses that a DHCP server can assign to its requesting clients.įor example: If DHCP server A has an IP pool of 192.168.20.1 - 192.168.20.25, then it can assign any IP addresses within this range to the requesting network devices. DHCP scope has to be configured to determine the pool of IP addresses the DHCP server can lease or renew. The DHCP clients are capable of requesting the DHCP servers for dynamic IP addresses, and network parameters in order to communicate over the internet.ĭHCP Scope: The DHCP scope specifies the range of IP addresses a DHCP server can provide to its clients. The server data store contains a pool of IP addresses that can be allocated to requesting clients.ĭHCP Client: A network device, such as laptop and printers, that supports DHCP client services. DHCP servers are responsible for automatically assigning IPs to network devices.

To get you started, here is a list of terms that you need to know to understand DHCP better.ĭHCP Server: A network server that is configured to run DHCP service. The DHCP server can dynamically allocate IP addresses to network devices from its pool of addresses, and reclaim them. It automates the mundane IP configuration task of the network admin by efficiently automating the IP allocations, and minimizing IP waste and IP conflicts. DHCP Server Introduction to Dynamic Host Configuration Protocolĭynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a network protocol that enables a DHCP server/network server to dynamically allocate IP address, subnet mask, default gateways, and other network configuration parameters to requesting devices.
