What does DHCP stand for?

The correct answer is Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. DHCP is a network management protocol used to automate the process of configuring devices on IP networks. This includes assigning IP addresses, subnet masks, default gateways, and other communication parameters to devices, which enables them to connect to the network and communicate effectively.

This process greatly simplifies network administration, especially in environments where devices frequently join and leave the network, as it eliminates the need for a network administrator to manually assign IP addresses. By dynamically configuring these settings, DHCP ensures that each device can communicate over the network without conflict and with minimized human intervention.

The other options do not accurately characterize the function of DHCP. Dynamic Host Control Protocol, Dynamic Hypertext Control Protocol, and Distributed Host Control Protocol do not reflect the intended purpose of the protocol, which is to manage the allocation of IP addresses and other configuration settings in a streamlined manner.