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The protocol that is used to assign temporary IP address leases to systems is Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). DHCP operates by allowing network administrators to automate the process of configuring devices on a network, which includes assigning IP addresses, subnet masks, default gateways, and other networking parameters necessary for devices to communicate on the network.

When a device connects to a network, it sends a DHCPDISCOVER message. The DHCP server responds with a DHCPOFFER that includes an available IP address along with other configuration details. Once the device accepts the offer by sending a DHCPREQUEST, the server finalizes the process by sending an acknowledgment (DHCPACK). This entire process is efficient and significantly reduces the need for manual IP address assignment.

Other protocols listed in the choices, such as HTTP (used for transferring web pages), FTP (used for transferring files), and TCP (which is a transport layer protocol that provides reliable data transmission and does not deal with IP address assignment), do not perform the function of assigning IP addresses to devices on a network. Therefore, DHCP is the correct choice here.