Which network protocol is used to automatically assign an IP address to a computer on a network?

The correct choice is DHCP, which stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. This protocol is specifically designed to facilitate the automatic assignment of IP addresses and other network configuration settings to devices on a network. When a device, such as a computer or smartphone, connects to a network, it sends a request to the DHCP server, which then responds with an IP address from a predefined range, along with information such as the subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS servers. This process simplifies network management, as administrators do not need to assign IP addresses manually.

In contrast, ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) is used for mapping IP addresses to MAC addresses within a local network, and it does not assign IP addresses. DNS (Domain Name System) translates domain names into IP addresses, enabling devices to locate resources on the internet, but it does not assign IP addresses. ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) is primarily used for diagnostic and error-reporting purposes in networking, such as sending ping requests, and is not involved in IP address assignment.