Which protocol allows a diskless workstation to contact a server and obtain an Internet protocol (IP) address?

The protocol that enables a diskless workstation to contact a server and obtain an Internet Protocol (IP) address is known as the Reverse Address Resolution Protocol (RARP). This protocol is specifically designed for scenarios where a device does not have a permanent storage medium to store an IP address; instead, it relies on a networked server to provide it.

In the case of diskless workstations, which do not have local storage for configuration or IP information, the workstation broadcasts a request over the network asking for its IP address. The RARP server responds with the appropriate IP address based on the MAC (Media Access Control) address of the workstation, allowing the device to operate on the network.

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), another protocol for assigning IP addresses, is indeed used more commonly today as it offers additional features, such as leasing addresses and managing dynamic IP assignments for many devices. However, RARP is historically significant for diskless workstations and serves the specific role of directly mapping IP addresses to MAC addresses in a straightforward manner.

Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) is primarily used for sending error messages and operational information in network communication, while File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is used for transferring files over a network and does not address the need