Dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) is an industry-standard protocol for automatic assignment of IP configuration to workstations. DHCP uses a client-server model for address allocation. The network administrator establishes one or more DHCP servers that maintain TCP/IP configuration to be provided to clients. LAN workstations request leases on TCP/IP configuration from the DHCP server, thus eliminating the need for administrators to manually configure each workstation.
A remote access server can act as a DHCP client, thereby attaining TCP/IP configuration information on behalf of remote workstations. The RAS server leases a pool of IP configuration information from the DHCP server(s). When remote workstations dial in to the network, the RAS server allocates IP configuration information out of this pool to each workstation.