Which protocol is commonly used for DHCP?

The commonly used protocol for DHCP is UDP because Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) operates over User Datagram Protocol. UDP is a connectionless protocol that allows messages to be sent and received without establishing a reliable connection. This attribute is particularly beneficial for DHCP, as devices on a network often require quick and efficient configuration for obtaining IP addresses and other network settings when they connect.

DHCP uses port 67 for server communication and port 68 for clients, enabling it to handle client requests and server responses without the overhead that typically comes with connection-oriented protocols like TCP. The use of UDP facilitates faster communication, which is essential when devices are attempting to join a network quickly and need immediate address assignments.

Using protocols like TCP or HTTP would introduce additional complexity and latency due to their connection-oriented nature, making them less suitable for the rapid and transient exchanges typical of DHCP tasks. Therefore, the choice of UDP is fundamental to the efficient operation of DHCP within networks.