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DHCP Allocation Mechanisms

DHCP supports three allocation mechanisms for assigning IP addresses to network devices:

  • Dynamic allocation: The DHCP server assigns an IP address to a network device from a pool of available addresses. The IP address is leased for a specified period and when it expires, the device must request a new lease. This mechanism is useful for devices that do not require a fixed IP address, such as computers or smartphones. 
  • Automatic allocation: Similar to dynamic allocation, the DHCP server assigns an IP address to a network device, but it stays permanently and never renews. The IP address is reserved for the device and is reused whenever the device connects to the network. This mechanism is useful for devices that require a fixed IP address, such as servers.
  • Manual allocation: The network administrator manually assigns a fixed IP address to a client device rather than relying on the DHCP server to assign one automatically. This mechanism is useful for devices that require a specific IP address, such as printers or network devices.