How are IP addresses typically assigned in home networks?

In most home networks, IP addresses are typically assigned automatically through a process called Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). This is commonly managed by the home router, which functions as a DHCP server. When a device connects to the home network, the router assigns an IP address to that device from a pre-defined range of addresses, ensuring that each device has a unique IP within the network.

This automatic assignment allows for greater ease of use, as users do not need to manually configure IP addresses for each device. It also simplifies the management of the network because devices can easily join and leave the network without requiring specific adjustments to the IP addressing scheme.

While manual assignment of IP addresses is an option and can be useful in certain situations, like for devices that need a permanent address, it is not the most common approach for home networks. The random generation of IP addresses by a modem does not accurately reflect how IP assignment works, and having fixed addresses set by the router doesn’t account for the typical dynamic nature of device connections in a home setting.