DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol: assigns IP addresses, gateways, and DNS resolvers to devices joining a network.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is how devices ask a network for an IP address and the configuration needed to use it: subnet mask, default gateway, DNS resolvers, NTP servers, and more. When a laptop joins WiFi, it broadcasts a DHCPDISCOVER, the DHCP server replies with an OFFER, and the device requests and acknowledges a lease for a finite duration. DHCP also exists for IPv6 (DHCPv6), though IPv6 networks commonly use SLAAC for address assignment and DHCPv6 only for DNS configuration.