What is the primary role of DHCP in a network?

The primary role of DHCP, or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, in a network is to dynamically assign IP addresses to devices. This protocol automates the process of IP address configuration, which significantly simplifies network management. When a device connects to a network, DHCP communicates with the DHCP server to request an IP address. The server then allocates an available IP address from a predefined pool and provides it to the device, along with other necessary network configuration information, such as the subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server addresses.

This dynamic assignment is crucial in environments where devices frequently join and leave the network, ensuring efficient utilization of available IP addresses and reducing administrative overhead. By automating IP address distribution, DHCP helps prevent conflicts and errors that can arise with manual configuration, such as duplicate IP addresses.

Other choices pertain to functions that are not part of DHCP's purpose. While assigning static IP addresses is an important task in some scenarios, it is not the main function of DHCP, which focuses on dynamic allocation. Similarly, configuring network routing protocols and creating virtual networks involve different processes and other tools rather than DHCP. Hence, option B clearly defines the core responsibility of DHCP in managing IP address assignments within a network.