CCNA Network Services and Security Practice Question
A network administrator is configuring a Cisco router to act as a DHCP server for a new VLAN. The router must provide IP addresses, default gateway, and DNS server information to clients. Which two commands are required in the DHCP pool configuration to provide the default gateway and DNS server to clients? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is mixing up the network command, which defines the pool, with the default-router and dns-server commands, which actually provide the gateway and DNS information.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
default-router 10.1.1.1
To provide default gateway and DNS server information to DHCP clients, the DHCP pool must include the default-router and dns-server commands. The default-router command supplies the gateway address, and the dns-server command supplies the DNS server address. The network command defines the pool subnet, the lease command sets lease time, and ip helper-address is used for DHCP relay, not for these parameters.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
network 10.1.1.0 255.255.255.0
Why it's wrong here
The network command defines the subnet and mask for the DHCP pool, but it does not provide default gateway or DNS server information. While it is a required command in a DHCP pool to specify the address range, it does not fulfill the requirement to supply gateway and DNS settings to clients. The question specifically asks for commands that provide those parameters.
- ✓
default-router 10.1.1.1
Why this is correct
The default-router command in DHCP pool configuration specifies the default gateway address that will be provided to DHCP clients. In this scenario, it sets the gateway to 10.1.1.1, which is essential for clients to reach other networks. Without this command, clients would not receive a default gateway and could only communicate on the local subnet.
- ✓
dns-server 8.8.8.8
Why this is correct
The dns-server command in DHCP pool configuration specifies the DNS server address that will be provided to DHCP clients. It allows clients to resolve domain names. In this scenario, it sets the DNS server to 8.8.8.8. Without it, clients would not receive DNS information and would rely on manually configured or fallback DNS settings.
- ✗
lease 0 8
Why it's wrong here
The lease command sets the duration of the DHCP lease, such as 0 days and 8 hours, but it does not provide default gateway or DNS server information. Lease duration is important for address management, but it is not related to the requirement of supplying gateway and DNS settings. Therefore, it is not one of the required commands for this scenario.
- ✗
ip helper-address 10.1.1.1
Why it's wrong here
The ip helper-address command is used on a router interface to forward DHCP broadcasts to a remote DHCP server. It is not used to provide default gateway or DNS information to clients, and it is configured in interface configuration mode, not in DHCP pool configuration mode. In this scenario, the router itself is the DHCP server, so this command is not required.
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
IOS Configuration Management
Key term
Router
A router is a networking device that connects different networks together and directs data traffic between them by choosing the best path for data to travel.
Key term
VLAN
A VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) is a logical grouping of network devices that behave as if they are on the same physical network segment, regardless of their actual physical location.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.