DHCP
Technology & Computing abbreviation · Networking
| Stands for | Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, a networking abbreviation.
Automatically assigns an IP address, subnet mask, default gateway and DNS servers to devices when they join a network, so nobody has to configure them by hand. A DHCP server, usually built into the home router, leases each address for a set time and renews it while the device stays connected.
Example: The printer keeps changing addresses, so reserve one for its MAC in the DHCP settings.
Usage notes
Defined in RFC 2131 in 1997, building on the older BOOTP protocol. The exchange follows four messages often remembered as DORA: Discover, Offer, Request, Acknowledge. A computer that gets no answer falls back to a self-assigned 169.254.x.x address, a classic sign of a DHCP problem. IPv6 networks can use DHCPv6 or let devices configure themselves with SLAAC.
Related abbreviations
More networking abbreviations
- CIDR – Classless Inter-Domain Routing
- CIFS – Common Internet File System
- CNAME – Canonical name (record)
- CRC – Cyclic redundancy check
- CSMA/CD – Carrier-sense multiple access with collision detection
- DDNS – Dynamic DNS
- DMZ – Demilitarized zone
- DNS – Domain Name System
- DNSSEC – Domain Name System Security Extensions
- DoH – DNS over HTTPS
- DoT – DNS over TLS
- EIGRP – Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol