The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) helps automate assignment of IP addresses to hosts on a given internetwork. A host IP address must be unique and must reflect the subnetwork address to which the host belongs. DHCP also provides the host with the IP address of its default router. DHCP not only saves network administrators a lot of time, but also prevents them from making mistakes in assigning IP addresses. This animation shows the steps follows by host to acquire an IP address from a DHCP server.