(DHCP) A protocol introduced by Microsoft on their NT server with version 3.5 in late 1994. This protocol provides a means to dynamically allocate IP addresses to IBM PCs running on a Microsoft Windows local area network. The system administrator assigns a range of IP addresses to DHCP and each client PC on the LAN has its TCP/IP software configured to request an IP address from the DHCP server. The request and grant process uses a lease concept with a controllable time period. More information can be found in the Microsoft documentation on NT Server.
Compare Reverse Address Resolution Protocol.
(12 Jan 1995)