Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
To connect to the internet you need 4 bits of information:
- Your Internet Protocol (IPv4),
- Your network mask,
- The default gateway of your local network, and
- The Domain Name System (DNS) server you will use.
The DHCP will provide you all the above information once you connect to a new network. When you first join a network you send DHCP discover message and will be provided with all your information.