What is DHCP?
DHCP or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is the way to assign dynamic IP address. It will assign the IP address to the computer in the network automatically from a pool of available IP address.
How DHCP Works
1) A computer in the network (or a network device) attempts to access the Internet.
2) The network requests an IP address.
3) DHCP server allocates the computer or network device an IP address, which is forwarded to the network by a router.
4) DHCP updates the network servers with the IP address and other configuration.
5) The network device (or computer) accepts the IP address.
6) IP address lease expires.
7) DHCP will either re-allocate the IP address or lease another available IP address.
8 ) The network device is not longer connected to the Internet.
9) And then, that IP address becomes available in the network pool of IP addresses.
To set up DHCP, user needs to have a DHCP-supported client, router, and a DHCP server. The client is referred to the computer or network device that requires an IP address. The router works as forwarding (or routing) agent of IP address requests from the DHCP server. And DHCP server works as allocating, leasing, re-allocating, and renewing IP addresses.
Both Linux and Windows support DHCP software.