Dynamic, time-limited allocation of IP addresses from an address pool. DHCP is used for automatic, central configuration of computers in a TCP/IP network. This type of configuration has the advantage of being standardised and requiring no manual intervention. The network administrator determines how the IP addresses will be assigned. The administrator also determines the period of time for which the allocation will be valid. In principle, the effect of this process is that each network subscriber is allocated a different IP address for each new connection. As network components such as COM Servers or Print Servers are always addressed via a fixed IP address, these must be excluded from the IP address assignment via DHCP.
