Which protocol allows for automated configuration of IP addresses and can reserve specific IPs for devices?

The protocol that allows for automated configuration of IP addresses and can reserve specific IPs for devices is DHCP, which stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. DHCP is designed to automatically assign IP addresses to devices on a network as they connect, significantly simplifying the management of IP addressing within a network environment.

When a device connects to a network, it sends a broadcast request to find a DHCP server. The server responds by assigning an available IP address, along with other necessary network configuration details such as the subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server addresses, allowing the device to communicate on the network without manual configuration.

Furthermore, DHCP also supports the reservation of specific IP addresses for certain devices based on their MAC (Media Access Control) addresses. This means that even though DHCP usually assigns IP addresses dynamically, administrators can ensure that particular devices always receive the same IP address whenever they connect to the network. This feature is crucial for devices like printers or servers that require consistent addressing to be easily reachable.

The other protocols listed do not have this functionality. For instance, IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) is used for retrieving emails, SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is used for sending emails, and SSH (Secure Shell) is used for secure remote administration of systems