Summary

dhcp automatically assigns network settings to devices. A dhcp_server gives a client an ip_address from a scope, plus subnet_mask, default_gateway, and dns_server options. Each address has a lease_time and must be renewed. Communication uses udp_ports_67_68 and the four-step exchange: Discover, Offer, Request, Acknowledge. Admins can set a reservation to always assign the same IP to a device. The address pool is finite; when exhausted, new clients cannot get leases.