Automatically Configure TCP/IP
Fortunately, you hardly ever have to actually configure TCP/IP properties for yourself. Instead, most network implementations today use a technology called Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), which automatically assigns IP address configuration information, including the subnet mask and (usually) default gateway. The process is as follows: your computer boots up, and as a part of XP initialization, the system contacts a DCHP server and requests an IP address. It does so because the TCP/IP Properties are configured by default to "Obtain an IP address automatically," as shown in Figure 9-4.
Figure 9-4. Obtaining an IP address automatically.
