How does DHCP handle IP address conflicts in a network?

How Does DHCP Handle IP Address Conflicts in a Network?

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) efficiently manages IP address assignment within a network to avoid conflicts. When a device requests an IP address from the DHCP server, the server checks its pool of available addresses. If the requested IP address is not in use, the server assigns it to the device. However, if the DHCP server detects an IP address conflict - where the requested address is already in use by another device on the network - it will reject the request and assign a different available IP address to ensure seamless network communication. This proactive handling of IP address conflicts by DHCP helps maintain network stability and prevents connectivity disruptions.