Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol

(Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) Software that automatically assigns

temporary IP addresses to client stations logging onto an IP network. It eliminates
having to manually assign permanent "static" IP addresses. DHCP software runs in
servers and routers. See IP address, DDNS, APIPA, link-local address, DNS and
WINS.

DHCP

(Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) Software that automatically assigns

temporary IP addresses to client stations logging onto an IP network. It eliminates
having to manually assign permanent "static" IP addresses. DHCP software runs in
servers and routers. See IP address, DDNS, APIPA, link-local address, DNS and
WINS.

(Domain Name System) A system for converting host names and domain names into
IP addresses on the Internet or on local networks that use the TCP/IP protocol. For
example, when a Web site address is given to the DNS either by typing a URL in a
browser or behind the scenes from one application to another, DNS servers return the
IP address of the server associated with that name.

In this hypothetical example, WWW.COMPANY.COM would be converted into the

IP address 204.0.8.51. Without DNS, you would have to type the four numbers and
dots into your browser to retrieve the Web site, which of course, you can do. Try
finding the IP of a favourite Web site and type in the dotted number instead of the
domain name!

Protocol (computing)
For other uses of the term, see Protocol.

In computing, a protocol is a convention or standard that controls or enables the

connection, communication, and data transfer between two computing endpoints. In
its simplest form, a protocol can be defined as the rules governing the syntax,
semantics, and synchronization of communication. Protocols may be implemented by
hardware, software, or a combination of the two. At the lowest level, a protocol
defines the behaviour of a hardware connection.

Protocols should be distinguished from technical standards, which variously specify

how to build a computer or related hardware device, or how the contents of a file are
structured, or describe the static structure of a network interface. Protocols are
generally used to define real-time communications behaviour, while standards are
used to govern the structure of information committed to long-term storage.

You assign the server a static IP number so that it never changes. This way, the router
can forward web/ftp/email requests to the proper computer.
The rest of the workstations are dynamically assigned IP numbers by a DHCP server
(usually the router).
You must set the DHCP router to start assigning IP numbers AFTER the IP number of
the static IP numbers you assign. For example, if you assigned your server
192.168.1.20, then you must tell your DHCP server to start assigning IP numbers at
192.168.1.21 and beyond.
In our example, we tell the DHCP server to start assigning dynamic IP numbers at
192.168.1.101 just to make sure that we have room later to add more static IP
numbers.
Very convenient setup since you don't have to enter TCP/IP information for each
computer because this info is given by the DHCP server.
Good for most networks, especially if you are constantly removing and adding
computers to the network or if you have a lot of computers.