DHCP

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a way to administer network address assignment from a single DHCP server. Even in small networks, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is useful because it can make it easy to add new machines or devices to the local network.

An address service (DHCP server) runs on a computer (or lighting console) to give out IP addresses to computers, gateways or other network devices when they request one to communicate on the network. The address server takes care of keeping track of what devices have which IP addresses and making sure duplicates don't occur.