UC Davis Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
What is DHCP?
DHCP stands for "Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol". DHCP's purpose is to enable individual computers on an IP network to extract their configurations from a server (the DHCP server) or servers, in particular, servers that have no exact information about the individual computers until they request the information. The overall purpose of this is to reduce the work necessary to administer a large IP network. The most significant piece of information distributed in this manner is the IP address.Why use DHCP?
There are several reasons to use DHCP. DHCP allows you to move a computer, such as a laptop, among various locations without reconfiguring the TCP/IP setting. For example, if a faculty member had a laptop which he wanted to take from his office to a networked classroom to present in class, DHCP will allow the laptop to hook to the network in both locations without reconfiguring the computer. Or if a student has a laptop she wishes to use to access the network in various locations around campus, DHCP will handle the TCP/IP configuration.For LAN Administrators
If you administer a LAN you may want to enable DHCP on your LAN. Some reasons are:
- DHCP can be used to ease the management burden of TCP/IP addresses
- Users in your subnet wish to move between your subnet and a DHCP enabled subnet without reconfiguring