Which DHCP network address allocation mechanism assigns a host a temporary IP address?

Dynamic address allocation is the mechanism by which a host is assigned a temporary IP address through the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). In a dynamic allocation process, when a device joins a network, it sends a request for an IP address to the DHCP server. The server then provides a temporary IP address from a pool of available addresses. This means that the IP address is leased for a specific duration and can change over time, especially when the device disconnects or is reassigned a different IP address upon reconnection.

This method is advantageous in managing IP address space efficiently, particularly in networks with many devices that may not all be connected simultaneously. In contrast, static allocation assigns a permanent IP address to a device, whereas reserved allocation creates a fixed address for a specific device but can still operate within a dynamic environment. Manual address allocation typically involves configuring IP addresses on devices directly, rather than through a server, which also differs from the dynamic approach.