DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is a protocol which allows individual devices on an IP network to get their own network configuration information (IP address, subnetmask, broadcast address, etc.) from a DHCP server. The overall purpose of DHCP is to make it easier to administer a large network. The dhcp package includes the ISC DHCP service and relay agent.

To use DHCP on your network, install a DHCP service (or relay agent), and on clients run a DHCP client daemon. The dhcp package provides the ISC DHCP service and relay agent.