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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

Reverse Proxy
A server that sits between clients and backend servers, forwarding client requests and returning server responses on their behalf.
Load Balancer
A device or software that distributes network traffic across multiple servers to ensure reliability and performance.
Subnet
A logical division of an IP network into smaller segments to improve performance, security, and management.
Latency
The time delay between sending a request and receiving a response, measured in milliseconds.
SSL/TLS Certificate
A digital certificate that authenticates a website identity and enables encrypted HTTPS connections.
Network ACL
A set of rules that control inbound and outbound traffic at the subnet level, acting as a stateless firewall in cloud and enterprise networks.
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