The DHCP Client (Dhcp) service manages network configuration. It registers and updates IP addresses and Domain Name System (DNS) names for the computer. You do not have to manually change the IP settings for a client computer, such as a portable computer, that connects from different locations throughout the network. The client computer is automatically given a new IP address, regardless of the subnet that it reconnects to (if a DHCP server is accessible from the subnets). There is no need to manually configure settings for DNS or WINS. The DHCP server can provide these settings to the client computer if the DHCP server is configured to issue such information. To enable this option on the client computer, click Obtain DNS Server Address Automatically. No conflicts are caused by duplicate IP addresses.

If the DHCP Client service stops, the computer does not receive dynamic IP addresses and automatic DNS updates stop being registered on the DNS server.

By default this service is installed by default and its startup type is Automatic. When the DHCP Client service is started in its default configuration, it logs on by using the Local Service account.

The DHCP Client service is dependent upon the following system components:

• Ancillary Function Driver for Winsock
• Net I/O Legacy TDI Support Drive
• TCP/IP Protocol Driver
• Network Store Interface Service
• NSI proxy service driver

The WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Service is dependent upon the DHCP Client Service.