What does DHCP stand for?

• A. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
• B. Domain Host Configuration Protocol
• C. Dynamic Hypertext Communication Protocol
• D. Data Handling Configuration Protocol

Answer: (A)

DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. This name fits because the protocol automatically provides a host (the client) with its network configuration, including an IP address and other settings such as the subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS servers. The “Dynamic” part highlights that the address and settings are assigned automatically for a lease period, rather than being entered manually.

In practice, a client on a network uses DHCP to obtain its configuration from a DHCP server through a defined sequence of messages, enabling devices to join networks quickly without manual setup. This automatic provisioning is the core purpose of DHCP.

The other options don’t describe automatic network configuration. One implies domain-name related functionality, another refers to web hypertext communication, and the last isn’t a recognized protocol name for this purpose.