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Networking Intermediate

What is DHCP?

A protocol that automatically assigns IP addresses and network configuration to devices on a network.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) eliminates manual IP configuration. When a device joins a network, it sends a broadcast request. The DHCP server responds with an available IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS servers.

The DORA process (Discover, Offer, Request, Acknowledge) handles address assignment. Leases have expiration times, after which addresses must be renewed.

Related Terms

HTTP/HTTPS
The protocol used for transferring web pages and data between browsers and servers, with HTTPS adding encryption.
Overlay Network
A virtual network built on top of an existing physical network, enabling features like container networking and VPNs.
Port
A numbered endpoint (0-65535) that identifies specific processes or services on a networked computer for communication.
SSL/TLS Certificate
A digital certificate that authenticates a website identity and enables encrypted HTTPS connections.
IP Address
A unique numerical label assigned to each device on a computer network for identification and communication.
Token Bucket Algorithm
A rate limiting algorithm that allows burst traffic by accumulating tokens at a fixed rate and consuming them per request.
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