What is the purpose of a DHCP server in a network?

• A. Manually assigns IP addresses.
• B. Dynamically assigns IP addresses and other network configuration settings to clients.
• C. Blocks DHCP requests.
• D. Filters DNS queries.

Answer: (B)

DHCP servers automate the provisioning of network settings for devices joining the network. They dynamically assign IP addresses and supply other essential configuration such as the subnet mask, default gateway, DNS server addresses, and domain name from a central pool. This makes setup quick and consistent, prevents IP conflicts, and allows addresses to be reapportioned as devices come and go. The typical flow involves a device requesting configuration, the server offering an address, the device requesting that offer, and the server acknowledging it. While static IPs can be used, they require manual setup and aren’t scalable. Blocking DHCP requests or filtering DNS queries are not the main purpose of a DHCP server—they pertain to security or DNS handling, not IP address provisioning.