Learning Python Networking - Second Edition

DHCP

IP addresses can be assigned to a device by a network administrator in one of two ways: statically, where the device's operating system is manually configured with the IP address, or dynamically, where the device's operating system is configured by using the DHCP.

When using DHCP, as soon as the device first connects to a network, it is automatically allocated an address by a DHCP server from a predefined pool. Some network devices, such as home broadband routers, provide a DHCP server service out of the box; otherwise, a DHCP server must be set up by a network administrator. DHCP is widely deployed, and it is particularly useful for networks where different devices may frequently connect and disconnect, such as public Wi-Fi hotspots ...