Which protocol is commonly used to dynamically assign IP addresses to network devices?

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is the correct choice because it plays a critical role in managing IP address assignments on a network. DHCP automates the process of configuring devices on IP networks, ensuring that each device receives a unique IP address without requiring manual configuration. This dynamic assignment helps reduce errors, enables easy management of IP address allocations, and allows devices to join the network seamlessly.

In contrast, Static Internet Protocol involves manually assigning a fixed IP address to a device, which doesn't allow for the dynamic nature of modern networks. Internet Control Message Protocol is primarily used for network diagnostics and doesn't deal with IP address assignment. Hypertext Transfer Protocol is designed for transferring web pages and is not related to IP address management. Each of these alternatives serves distinct purposes within networking, but it is DHCP that specifically addresses the need for dynamic IP address allocation.