What is DHCP?

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. A protocol that automatically assigns devices joining a network an IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, DNS servers and other settings for a limited time.

Japanese name: DHCP

DHCP appears in 3 practice questions across 1 topic, including Computer Networking Basics.

Field: Computer Networking Basics

Try it: questions about DHCP

When a device obtains an IP address with DHCP, what is the correct order of messages?

  1. ARequest → Offer → Discover → Ack
  2. BDiscover → Offer → Request → Ack
  3. COffer → Discover → Ack → Request
Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. Discover → Offer → Request → Ack

A device with no address yet does not know where the DHCP server is either, so it first broadcasts a Discover. A server proposes an address and other settings in an Offer, the device states which server's offer it accepts in a Request, and the server confirms with an Ack. From the initials this is called DORA. Besides the IP address, the device receives the subnet mask, the default gateway, the DNS server addresses and more. Addresses are lent for a limited time (the lease), and the device asks for renewal before it expires. To use a DHCP server beyond a router, a DHCP relay is configured on the router.

DHCP in the explanations

Questions that mention DHCP (3)

  1. When a device obtains an IP address with DHCP, what is the correct order of messages?
  2. Which statement about MAC addresses is correct?
  3. Which correctly describes the role of ARP?

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Related terms

DNS (Domain Name System) MAC address Subnet mask Default gateway ARP CIDR CSMA/CA NAT (Network Address Translation) OSI reference model Port number

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