An internet protocol (IP) address allocation method includes receiving, by a forwarder, an address request sent by an external network element, where the address request includes a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) request of user equipment (UE) and user characteristic information of the UE, acquiring, from a DHCP service network element according to the DHCP request, an IP address allocated to the UE, and acquiring first instruction information that is delivered by a control device according to the user characteristic information of the UE and the IP address allocated to the UE, and sending the IP address to the UE according to the user characteristic information.