Abbreviation for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. Client/server protocol that is an extension of the Bootstrap Protocol (BOOTP) and automatically assigns an IP host with IP addressing data such as IP address, subnet mask, gateway address, and DNS server name. DHCP does not require maintaining a table, which identifies each network device. The client identifies itself to the DHCP server by providing its MAC address or a uniquely assigned device identifier. DHCP uses UDP ports 67 and 68.