===== Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) =====

DHCP is a [[protocol|protocol]] used by most modern home network routers, network providers and [[isp|ISP]]s to automatically assign, on demand, an [[ip_address|IP address]] to a [[host|host]] that wishes to connect to an [[intranet|intranet]] or the [[internet|Internet]]. In the context of home (and some institutional) networks, DHCP allocates addresses from a pool of [[glossary:private_ip_address|private IP addresses]] (e.g. 192.168.1.100). Such hosts cannot directly connect to the [[internet|Internet]] and need to connect instead through what is called a [[nat|NAT]] service. In larger [[isp|ISP]]s such as swan.ac.uk or your broadband supplier, [[ip_address|IP addresses]] are allocated via DHCP from a pool of IP addresses that the ISP has purchased from a higher level ISP. Thus when connecting your registered lap top to the University via the wired [[ethernet|Ethernet]], you will be assigned an IP address that starts 137.44. However, when you connect via [[wifi|WiFi]], you will be allocated a [[private_ip_address|private IP address]] that starts 192.168 and your messages will be routed to the Internet via a [[nat|NAT]] server inside the wireless [[router]].

DHCP can be set up to only grant an [[ip_address|IP address]] assignment request from network interface cards with a known physical ([[mac|MAC]]) address. This is why you have to register your laptop with the University before it can be connected to the wired or wireless service.

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[[Glossary]] : [[glossary#A|A]] | [[glossary#B|B]] | [[glossary#C|C]] | [[glossary#D|D]] | [[glossary#E|E]] | [[glossary#F|F]] | [[glossary#G|G]] | [[glossary#H|H]] | [[glossary#I|I]] | [[glossary#J|J]] | [[glossary#K|K]] | [[glossary#L|L]] | [[glossary#M|M]] | [[glossary#N|N]] | [[glossary#O|P]] | [[glossary#Q|Q]] | [[glossary#R|R]] | [[glossary#S|S]] | [[glossary#T|T]] | [[glossary#U|U]] | [[glossary#V|V]] | [[glossary#W|W]] | [[glossary#X|X]] | [[glossary#Y|Y]] | [[glossary#Z|Z]]