Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a network protocol for
automatically assigning TCP/IP information to client machines. Each DHCP
client connects to the centrally-located DHCP server which returns that
client's network configuration, including the IP address, gateway, and DNS
servers.
DHCP is useful for automatic configuration of client network
interfaces. When configuring the client system, the administrator can
choose DHCP and instead of entering an IP address, netmask, gateway, or
DNS servers. The client retrieves this information from the DHCP
server. DHCP is also useful if an administrator wants to change the IP
addresses of a large number of systems. Instead of reconfiguring all the
systems, he can just edit one DHCP configuration file on the server for
the new set of IP addresses. If the DNS servers for an organization
changes, the changes are made on the DHCP server, not on the DHCP
clients. Once the network is restarted on the clients (or the clients
are rebooted), the changes take effect.
Furthermore, if a laptop or any type of mobile computer is configured
for DHCP, it can be moved from office to office without being
reconfigured as long as each office has a DHCP server that allows it
to connect to the network.
