Tech Glossary

What is DHCP?

DHCP, or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, is a protocol used to automatically configure IP addresses on devices in a network. DHCP works by sending IP packets to devices on the network that contain information about how the network is configured. Devices running DHCP can automatically configure their IP address depending on the information in the DHCP packet. DHCP is a very useful protocol for network administrators because it allows for easy configuration and management of IP addresses on a network. DHCP is also very useful for users because it allows devices to automatically configure IP addresses without user intervention. However, there are a couple of downsides to DHCP. First, it is not always reliable. Sometimes DHCP packets cannot reach devices on the network due to network problems. This can result in devices not being able to obtain the correct IP address. Second, DHCP is not always secure. There are some security risks associated with DHCP, such as man-in-the-middle attacks.