What is a primary benefit of using DHCP?

The primary benefit of using DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is the automatic configuration of devices. DHCP eliminates the need for administrators to manually assign IP addresses to each device on a network. Instead, it dynamically allocates IP addresses from a defined range when a device connects to the network. This automation streamlines network management by reducing the potential for errors, ensuring that IP addresses are unique within the network, and allowing devices to be added or removed without significant administrative overhead.

By automatically configuring network settings such as IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS servers, DHCP greatly simplifies the process of managing large networks and enhances productivity. This allows administrators to focus on other critical network tasks instead of hand-assigning addresses or worrying about conflicts that can arise from static IP assignment.

Options that involve static IP address allocation or increased manual management do not align with the fundamental purpose of DHCP, which is to automate and simplify network settings. Enhanced security protocols, while important in networking, are not a direct benefit provided by DHCP but rather pertain to the overall security practices used within the network infrastructure.