Which statement is true about DHCP operation

/ Exams & Certification / By

Which statement is true about DHCP operation ??

When a device that is configured to use DHCP boots, the client broadcasts a DHCPDISCOVER message to identify any available DHCP servers on the network

The DSCPDISCOVER message contains the IP address and subnet mask to be assigned, the IP address of the DNS server, and the IP address of the default gateway

A client must wait for lease expiration before it sends another DHCPREQUEST message

If the client receives several DHCPOFFER messages from different servers, it sends a unicast DHCPREQUEST message to the server from which it chooses to obtain the IP information

The correct answer and explanation is:

The correct statement is:

“When a device that is configured to use DHCP boots, the client broadcasts a DHCPDISCOVER message to identify any available DHCP servers on the network.”

Explanation:

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) automates the process of assigning IP addresses and other network configuration settings to devices in a network. Here’s a breakdown of DHCP operation:

  1. DHCPDISCOVER Message:
    When a DHCP-enabled client device boots or connects to a network, it does not have an IP address. To locate a DHCP server, the client sends a DHCPDISCOVER message as a broadcast to all devices on the network. The broadcast uses the destination address 255.255.255.255 because the client does not yet have an IP address.
  2. DHCPOFFER Message:
    When the DHCP server receives the DHCPDISCOVER message, it replies with a DHCPOFFER message. This message contains a proposed IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, DNS server addresses, and the lease duration.
  3. DHCPREQUEST Message:
    The client selects one of the offers (if multiple are received) and sends a DHCPREQUEST message back to the chosen DHCP server. This is still a broadcast to ensure other DHCP servers are aware the client has selected a server.
  4. DHCPACK Message:
    The selected DHCP server responds with a DHCPACK message, confirming the lease details. At this point, the client configures its network settings based on the received information.

Why the Other Statements Are Incorrect:

  1. “The DSCPDISCOVER message contains…”:
    The DHCPDISCOVER message does not contain pre-configured IP information because the client does not yet have these settings.
  2. “A client must wait for lease expiration…”:
    Clients do not need to wait for lease expiration. They can send a DHCPREQUEST message to renew the lease before expiration (typically at 50% of the lease time).
  3. “If the client receives several DHCPOFFER messages…”:
    While the client chooses one offer, the DHCPREQUEST message is a broadcast, not unicast.

Related Posts

Scroll to Top