DHCP

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. A protocol that provides a means to dynamically allocate an IP address to computers on a local area network. The system administrator assigns a range of IP addresses to DHCP and each client computer on the LAN has its TCP/IP software configured to request automatically an IP address from the DHCP server when it starts up. The request and grant process uses a lease concept with a controllable time period. This eases the network installation procedure on the client computer side considerably.

DHCP was introduced as a Standard protocol in October 1993. DHCP latest (March 1997) definition is in RFC 2131.

Microsoft introduced DHCP on their NT server with version 3.5 in late 1994.

[www.dhcp.org]

(1998-11-22)

Source: [foldoc]