(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)
