The DHCP is an excellent illustration of how technology influences our everyday life. Both network administrators and clients benefit from it. It automatically designates IP addresses to the connected devices. It also keeps the information about them, and after they run out, it reuses the IPs.

DHCP explained

The acronym DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. It is a very effective solution for management and is commonly used on TCP/IP networks. Its work is to give IP addresses automatically and all the needed network configurations to connected devices to interact. The ones that benefit the most from DHCP are DNS servers, default gateway, subnet mask, and more.

Elements of DHCP

It is important to note that the keyword is “automatically.” Tasks like that are usually performed manually by network administrators. In case they have to manage a small network, it won’t be a problem. But if they are in charge of handling big networks, it could be very overwhelming. 

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol operates on a client-server model. For clients is required to have DHCP to interact with a DHCP server correctly. 

How does DHCP work?

Let’s view just the assignment of IP addresses.

Every device that connects to a network needs an individual IP address. Two or more devices are not able to operate with the same IP address. If it happens by mistake, one IP address to be assigned to two separate devices, the connection won’t work. It is possible only one of them to succeed to take it but the other one won’t.

Even when an IP address is assigned and the connection works, there is continuous monitoring beyond it. It is for various management’s purposes.

The IP address must refresh when it expires if the device needs to remain connected. Also, it is essential to examine when the IP address is not in use anymore. While a higher number of devices connected ask for an IP address, the administrators won’t run out of resources.

When you have DHCP, all of these duties are configured in the most beneficial form for you. They will appear automatically out of the need for human supervision. 

Benefits 

• It automatically assigns IP addresses. The freshly connected devices have assigned IP addresses without the necessity for human interference. 
• No chance of IP conflict. It eliminates the problem of two devices with identical IP addresses. If there is a case of IP conflict, both devices won’t be capable of using the network. 
• It is easy to manage and set up. It is a simple and easy task to configure the DHCP server. 
• No human mistakes. If people need to assign IP addresses manually, there is a significant possibility of human errors. While if you use DHCP, a tool is making every one of the IP address assignments. 

Conclusion

DHCP is an excellent technology. It is saving time and difficulties not only for network administrators but for everybody. For sure, it has its special spot in the term of networking. Its help with auto assigning IP addresses and managing them is crucial. If you decide to apply it, your network’s productivity will be genuinely improved.