DHCP Protocol: Automatic distribution of IP addresses (and other network settings) in a network
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is an important protocol that enables automatic allocation of IP addresses to network devices. The DHCP protocol simplifies network maintenance and reduces manual configuration, making it an essential part of modern network infrastructure.
DHCP Operation
When a device connects to a network, it sends a DHCP request (UDP datagram) to the network (to the broadcast address 255.255.255.255). The DHCP server responds to the request and offers a free IP address to the device. After this, the device accepts the offered IP address and starts using it to route its network traffic.
Not just for IP addresses
The DHCP protocol not only distributes IP addresses but can also configure other network settings, such as the default gateway, DNS server, and subnet mask (all of which we have already learned in this course!). Automatic configuration of this information saves time and effort, as manually entering the settings for each device would be complex and prone to human errors.
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Which of these can NOT be set by DHCP?
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