Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
This is how the IP address of yours gets changed from time to time.
It is an application layer protocol that serves network functions.
DHCP is an APPLICATION protocol
Even though it does network layer functions, it really exists at the application layer.
- This is because DHCP is only about initializing and managing network settings rather than the actual forwarding of data packets, which is the core function of the network layer (e.g., handled by IP)
- The protocol operates more as a service to the network layer, not part of it directly
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/networking/technologies/dhcp/dhcp-top