(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 itSTCP/IPSoftware 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)
