IP Address: What Is DHCP?

As long as you're learning about your IP address, you should learn a little about something called DHCP—which stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. Why bother? Because it has a direct impact on millions of IP addresses, most likely including yours.

DHCP is at the heart of assigning you (and everyone) their IP address. The key word in DHCP is protocol—the guiding rules and process for Internet connections for everyone, everywhere. DHCP is consistent, accurate and works the same for every computer. Remember that without an IP address, you would not be able to receive the information you requested. As you've learned (by reading IP: 101), your IP address tells the Internet to send the information that you requested (Web page, email, data, etc.) right to the computer that requested it.

Those incredible protocols

There are more than one billion computers in the world, and each individual computer needs its own IP address whenever it's online. The TCP/IP protocols (our computers' built-in, internal networking software) include a DHCP protocol. It automatically assigns and keeps tabs of IP addresses and any "subnetworks" that require them. Nearly all IP addresses are dynamic, as opposed to "static" IP addresses that never change.

DHCP is a part of the "application layer," which is just one of the several TCP/IP protocols. All of the processing and figuring out of what to send to whom happens virtually instantly.

Clients and servers

The networking world classifies computers into two distinctive categories: 1) individual computers, called "hosts," and 2) computers that help process and send data (called "servers"). A DHCP server is one computer on the network that has a number of IP address at its disposal to assign to the computers/hosts on that network. If you use a cable company for Internet access, making them your Internet Service Provider, they likely are your DHCP server.

Permission slips

Think of getting an IP address as similar to obtaining a special permission slip from the DHCP server to use the Internet. In this scenario, you are the DHCP client—whenever you want to go on the Internet, your computer automatically requests an IP address from the network's DHCP server. If there's one available, the DHCP server sends a response containing an IP address to your computer.

How DHCP works

The key word in DHCP is "dynamic." Because instead of having just one fixed and specific IP address, most computers will be assigned one that is available from a subnet or "pool" that is assigned to the network. The Internet isn't one big computer in one big location. It's an interconnected network of networks, all created to make one-on-one connections between any two clients that want to exchange information.

One of the features of DHCP is that it provides IP addresses that "expire." When DHCP assigns an IP address, it actually leases that connection identifier to the user's computer for a specific amount of time. The default lease is five days.
Here is how the DHCP process works when you go online:

1. Your go on your computer to connect to the Internet.
2. The network requests an IP address (this is actually referred to as a DHCP discover message).
3. On behalf of your computer's request, the DHCP server allocates (leases) to your computer an IP address. This is referred to as the DHCP offer message.
4. Your computer (remember—you're the DHCP client) takes the first IP address offer that comes along. It then responds with a DHCP request message that verifies the IP address that's been offered and accepted.
5. DHCP then updates the appropriate network servers with the IP address and other configuration information for your computer.
6. Your computer (or whatever network device you're using) accepts the IP address for the lease term.

Typically, a DHCP server renews your lease automatically, without you (or even a network administrator) having to do anything. However, if that IP address's lease expires, you'll be assigned a new IP address using the same DHCP protocols.

Here's the best part: You wouldn't even be aware of it, unless you happened to check your IP address. Your Internet usage would continue as before. DHCP takes place rather instantly, and entirely behind the scenes. We, as everyday, ordinary computer users, never have to think twice about it. We just get to enjoy this amazing and instantaneous technology that brings the Internet to our fingertips when we open our browsers. I guess you could say DHCP stands for "darn handy computer process"...or something like that.

What You Should Know About IP Address?

We figured that many of ICT students don't know a lot about IP topics—and why would you? For the most part, only IT (information technology) and computer-network types have the need to think about such things.

Still, sometimes the terminology and jargon used (and rarely explained) prevents us from understanding come cool computer stuff. And although most of us don't really care (or need) to learn more, others like being enlightened, instead of being left in the dark.
So, here is a brief list of facts regarding the abbreviation "IP."

1. IP ("eye-pea") is actually part of a longer abbreviation — TCP/IP. That stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. (We'll call it IP for short.)
2. IP stands for 'Internet Protocol.' A protocol is a guideline that must be followed in a set, specific way.
3. IP is actually networking software. It comes with your computer and it makes make it possible for you to interact with the Internet.
4. IP is the language of the Internet (so to speak): All IP networking software is identical throughout the world; that's why a computer in China can communicate with a computer in Canada.
5. IP is universal. No matter what kind of computer or networking hardware you're using, the IP processes work the same.
6. IP is versatile. Any computer, laptop or desktop, or printer on a network has IP software (and therefore an IP address).
7. The TCP/IP Protocols are actually a set (or stack) of protocols that work in sequence. Think of the set as a team of robot—soldiers who receive, handle and disburse data.
8. The Internet Protocol is at the heart of the network connectivity. It is also where IP address activity gets processed.
9. Any device on a network has and needs an IP Address. That address is a set of numbers and dots. Want to see yours right now? Click here.
10. Computers identify websites by their IP addresses. Fortunately for you, they typically go by their names, like  www.yahoo.com

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