Q6Mobile Computing
Question
2 marks
What is DHCP? Why is it needed in mobile networks?
Answer
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) automatically and mathematically leases temporary IP addresses to devices. It is absolutely mandatory in mobile networks because physical movement constantly changes logical subnets.
Without DHCP, a user moving from the 3rd floor WiFi to the 4th floor WiFi would have to manually type in a new static IP address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway. DHCP violently automates this in milliseconds via DORA (Discover, Offer, Request, Acknowledge) broadcasts.