DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. It’s a network protocol used to automatically assign IP addresses to devices connected to a network.
When a device connects to a network, it sends a broadcast message requesting an IP address. A DHCP server on the same network receives the request and assigns an available IP address to the device, along with the subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server information.
In simple terms, DHCP makes it easy for network administrators to manage IP address assignments, by automating the process and reducing the chance of IP address conflicts. This way, devices can connect to the network and have internet access without needing to be manually configured.