CCNA Network Infrastructure and Connectivity Practice Question
A network engineer is configuring a Cisco router to provide DHCP services to a remote subnet. The router interface connected to that subnet is GigabitEthernet0/1 with IP address 192.168.20.1/24. The DHCP pool must exclude the first 10 addresses for static devices. Which configuration correctly sets up the DHCP pool?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is placing the excluded-address command inside the DHCP pool, when it is actually a global configuration command.
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
✓
ip dhcp excluded-address 192.168.20.1 192.168.20.10, then ip dhcp pool LAN, network 192.168.20.0 255.255.255.0, default-router 192.168.20.1
DHCP exclusions are configured globally with ip dhcp excluded-address before defining the pool, and the pool itself specifies the network and default router. The correct sequence reserves 192.168.20.1 through 192.168.20.10, defines the 192.168.20.0/24 network, and sets the gateway. The other options misuse the exclude keyword, exclude the network address unnecessarily, or place a global command inside pool mode.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
ip dhcp pool LAN, network 192.168.20.0 255.255.255.0, default-router 192.168.20.1, exclude 192.168.20.1 192.168.20.10
Why it's wrong here
The exclude keyword is not valid inside a DHCP pool in Cisco IOS. Exclusions must be configured globally with the ip dhcp excluded-address command before or outside the pool. Placing exclude inside the pool causes a syntax error, so the first ten addresses would not be reserved and could be leased to clients.
- ✗
ip dhcp pool LAN, network 192.168.20.0 255.255.255.0, default-router 192.168.20.1, ip dhcp excluded-address 192.168.20.1 192.168.20.10
Why it's wrong here
The ip dhcp excluded-address command is a global configuration command and cannot be entered inside the DHCP pool context. Placing it after the pool commands while still in pool configuration mode causes an error. The exclusion must be configured globally, outside the ip dhcp pool block, for it to take effect.
- ✓
ip dhcp excluded-address 192.168.20.1 192.168.20.10, then ip dhcp pool LAN, network 192.168.20.0 255.255.255.0, default-router 192.168.20.1
Why this is correct
The ip dhcp excluded-address command reserves the range 192.168.20.1 through 192.168.20.10 from being leased. The pool then defines the network 192.168.20.0/24 and the default gateway 192.168.20.1. This combination correctly provides DHCP service while protecting the first ten addresses for static assignment, matching the stated requirement.
- ✗
ip dhcp excluded-address 192.168.20.0 192.168.20.10, then ip dhcp pool LAN, network 192.168.20.0 255.255.255.0, default-router 192.168.20.1
Why it's wrong here
This excludes 192.168.20.0 through 192.168.20.10, but 192.168.20.0 is the network address and is not a usable host address anyway. More importantly, it excludes 11 addresses instead of the intended first 10 usable addresses starting at 192.168.20.1. The range should begin at 192.168.20.1 to match the requirement precisely.
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
MAC Address Table
Key term
DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) automatically assigns IP addresses and network settings to devices on a network, so they can communicate without manual configuration.
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.
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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.