Which service dynamically assigns IP addresses to hosts on a network?

Which service dynamically assigns IP addresses to hosts on a network?

• A. Domain Name System
• B. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
• C. Address Resolution Protocol
• D. Network Address Translation

Answer: (D)

Dynamic IP assignment on a network is handled by DHCP, the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. When a device needs an IP address, it broadcasts a request and the DHCP server replies with an offer that includes an available IP address and other network settings such as the subnet mask, gateway, and DNS servers. The device then requests to use the offered configuration, and the server acknowledges, finalizing the assignment. The address is leased for a certain period, and the device can renew the lease to keep using the same IP while it’s connected. DHCP servers manage pools or scopes of addresses and are commonly run by routers in home networks or by larger infrastructure in enterprise networks. This is different from other services: Domain Name System translates human-friendly names to IP addresses rather than assigning IPs; Address Resolution Protocol maps a known IP address to a hardware (MAC) address on the local network; and Network Address Translation translates private addresses to a public IP for routing but does not dynamically assign IPs to individual hosts.

Dynamic IP assignment on a network is handled by DHCP, the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. When a device needs an IP address, it broadcasts a request and the DHCP server replies with an offer that includes an available IP address and other network settings such as the subnet mask, gateway, and DNS servers. The device then requests to use the offered configuration, and the server acknowledges, finalizing the assignment. The address is leased for a certain period, and the device can renew the lease to keep using the same IP while it’s connected. DHCP servers manage pools or scopes of addresses and are commonly run by routers in home networks or by larger infrastructure in enterprise networks.

This is different from other services: Domain Name System translates human-friendly names to IP addresses rather than assigning IPs; Address Resolution Protocol maps a known IP address to a hardware (MAC) address on the local network; and Network Address Translation translates private addresses to a public IP for routing but does not dynamically assign IPs to individual hosts.