# Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)

To connect to the internet you need 4 pieces of information:

• Your Internet Protocol (IPv4) ,
• Your network mask ,
• The default gateway of your local network, and
• The Domain Name System (DNS) server you will use.

DHCP provides you with all the above information once you connect to a new network. When you first join a network, you send a DHCP discover message and receive all your configuration information.