Which network protocol is responsible for automatically assigning IP addresses to devices on a local network?

The network protocol responsible for automatically assigning IP addresses to devices on a local network is called the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). DHCP is used primarily in networks to manage the allocation of IP addresses dynamically, thus reducing the need for manual configuration of each device on the network.

Here's a brief overview of how DHCP functions:

1. DHCP Discover: When a device (also known as a DHCP client) connects to a network, it broadcasts a DHCP Discover message to identify any available DHCP servers.

2. DHCP Offer: A DHCP server receives the Discover message and responds with a DHCP Offer message that contains an available IP address and other configuration details such as subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS servers.

3. DHCP Request: The client then responds with a DHCP Request message, indicating that it has accepted the offered IP address.

4. DHCP Acknowledgement: Finally, the DHCP server sends a DHCP Acknowledgement message to the client, confirming that the IP address has been assigned, and it provides the complete set of network configuration parameters.

DHCP simplifies the process of IP address management and minimizes the potential for configuration errors, making it widely used in both home and enterprise network environments.