(DHCP) A protocol that provides a means to dynamically allocate IP addresses to computers on a {local area network}. The {system chefistrator} assigns a range of IP addresses to DHCP and each client computer 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. DHCP is defined in RFC 2131. Microsoft introduced DHCP on their NT server wITh version 3.5 in late 1994. . (1998-11-22)