CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

Which protocol allows real-time address assignment from a pool of IP addresses?

1. DHCP

2. DNS

3. SMTP

4. NTP

The correct answer is: DHCP

The protocol that enables real-time address assignment from a pool of IP addresses is DHCP, which stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. DHCP automates the process of IP address assignment in networks, allowing devices to connect and receive IP addresses and other network configuration parameters automatically. When a device, such as a computer or smartphone, connects to the network, it sends a request to a DHCP server. The DHCP server then selects an available IP address from its pool and assigns it to the device, along with other necessary details, like the default gateway and DNS servers. This dynamic allocation is essential for managing IP addresses efficiently, especially in environments where devices frequently connect and disconnect, supporting both scalability and ease of management. Other options such as DNS (Domain Name System) are used for resolving domain names into IP addresses, SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is for sending emails, and NTP (Network Time Protocol) is for synchronizing clocks of devices on a network. None of these protocols perform real-time IP address assignment like DHCP does.