What is DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) ?

DHCP server is used to configure all the clients manually. that is providing ip addresses to multiple system automatically. For example, if you have 1000 systems in a network, it is very difficult for a system admin to provide a ip address manually. Admin might also give same ip to 2 system which will lead to a conflict. Maintaining the database is also a tedious job. when we install a DHCP server it will automatically issue IP addresses to systems. it works in a DORA method. DISCOVER, OFFER, REQUEST, ACKNOWLEDGE

Here you go :The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) standard designed to reduce the administration burden and complexity of configuring hosts on a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)-based network, such as a private intranet. By using DHCP server computers to centrally manage IP addresses and other related configuration parameters, using DHCP client computers to request and accept TCP/IP configuration information from DHCP servers, and using DHCP relay agents to pass information between DHCP clients and servers, the process of configuring TCP/IP on DHCP clients is automatic.take care and have a nice day.

DHCP is an application layer in the internet protocol along sides with http,gtp,ftp. Its main purpose i think is to allow adding other machines to the network easier and with less faults with less workload on the server itself...i do not know how much more simple to go...

DHCP is the protocol used by clients (pcs, workstations etc) to acquire the relevant configuration details for use with an IP network. It facilitates devices being added to a network without adding to the workload of the system admin. Subsequently it is virtually automatic with little human intervention required. Basically it makes it easy to build networks by adding new stations and is deployed in both small and large-scale networks.

i think its explain well by other but i want to put my comments also. here you go... DHCP - Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol Dynamic - This means Real time. That is when required Host - Host is a pc who needs ip address Configuration - IP configuration (subnet, DNS, WINS etc) Protocol - DHCP communication occurs at layer 2 (outgoing UDP port 67) (Pl. be clear DHCP server is an application) DHCP works in two part. Part 1 - is dhcp server and need to implement on some Server generally windows Part 2- Client who needs ip address to be allocated (configured automatically) Single DHCP server can allocate ip address to multipe subnets. Purpose: DHCP is used to avoid human errors on manual allocation of ip address and to avoid cumversum tasks of keeping ip records specially network is of huze size. Limitation: automatic allocation of ip can lead to unauthorized access to network. well i tried to make it simple and shot, i hope it will make you clear about dhcp.