DHCP

Added on April 5, 2026

IP addresses can be assigned either manually, by entering them physically into a device, or automatically and most commonly by using a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server.

When a device connects to a network, if it has not already been manually assigned an IP address,

• it sends out a request (DHCP Discover) to see if any DHCP servers are on the network.
• The DHCP server then replies back with an IP address the device could use (DHCP Offer).
• The device then sends a reply confirming it wants the offered IP Address (DHCP Request),
• and then lastly, the DHCP server sends a reply acknowledging this has been completed, and the device can start using the IP Address (DHCP ACK).