The strongest explanation is that the DHCP relay agent forwards client broadcasts to a server that lacks a matching scope for the source subnet, causing the server to assign an address from the wrong scope. This happens because the relay agent, typically configured on the VLAN 40 SVI with the ip helper-address command, simply unicasts the DHCPDISCOVER to the specified server without any scope filtering. The server then allocates an IP from whatever scope it has available, often the default or first configured scope, rather than one tied to VLAN 40’s subnet. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of DHCP relay operations and the critical link between the relay agent’s gateway interface and the server’s scope configuration. A common trap is assuming the relay agent validates scopes or that the server automatically matches the request’s subnet. Remember the memory tip: “Relay relays, it does not filter—the server picks the scope, not the agent.”
CCNA Network Services and Security Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network services and security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. A key principle to apply: dHCP relay agents forward client requests to DHCP servers on different subnets.. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Exhibit
interface Vlan40
ip address 10.40.40.1 255.255.255.0
ip helper-address 10.99.99.30
Expected VLAN 40 scope: 10.40.40.0/24
Observed client address range: 10.50.50.0/24
What is the strongest explanation for why hosts in VLAN 40 are receiving addresses from the wrong DHCP scope?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The relay path is sending requests to the wrong DHCP scope or server target.
Option A is correct because the DHCP relay agent (typically configured on the VLAN 40 SVI with the 'ip helper-address' command) is forwarding client broadcast requests to a DHCP server that either has no scope for VLAN 40 or has a scope configured for a different subnet. This causes the server to assign an address from the wrong scope, as the relay agent does not filter by scope—it simply forwards the packet to the configured server IP.
Key principle: DHCP relay agents forward client requests to DHCP servers on different subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
The relay path is sending requests to the wrong DHCP scope or server target.
Why this is correct
This is correct because the clients are receiving addresses, but from the wrong network scope.
Related concept
DHCP relay agents forward client requests to DHCP servers on different subnets.
✗
The VLAN 40 SVI must be changed to a trunk port.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because an SVI is not a Layer 2 switchport.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where the question asks about configuring a switch port for multiple VLANs to allow DHCP requests from different VLANs, stating that the VLAN 40 SVI must be changed to a trunk port could be correct if the goal is to enable trunking for inter-VLAN communication.
✗
DHCP can provide only one scope in the entire network.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because DHCP servers commonly support multiple scopes.
When this WOULD be correct
In a question where the focus is on a network design that restricts DHCP to a single scope due to specific hardware limitations or legacy configurations, this option could be correct. For example, if the exam asked about a scenario where a network only supports one DHCP scope due to a misconfigured router or switch.
✗
The clients must use static addresses before DHCP relay can work.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because static addressing would defeat the purpose of DHCP.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different exam scenario where the question discusses a network configuration issue with DHCP relay, and it specifies that clients are unable to receive any DHCP offers due to misconfiguration, this option could be correct if the context implies that static addresses are a prerequisite for DHCP relay functionality.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 200-301 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓The relay path is sending requests to the wrong DHCP scope or server target.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because the clients are receiving addresses, but from the wrong network scope.
✗The VLAN 40 SVI must be changed to a trunk port.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is wrong because an SVI (Switched Virtual Interface) for a VLAN cannot be configured as a trunk port; it must be an access port. VLANs are typically assigned to access ports, and changing the SVI to a trunk would not resolve DHCP scope issues.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where the question asks about configuring a switch port for multiple VLANs to allow DHCP requests from different VLANs, stating that the VLAN 40 SVI must be changed to a trunk port could be correct if the goal is to enable trunking for inter-VLAN communication.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may find this option tempting because they might confuse the need for trunking in VLAN configurations with the need for proper DHCP relay functioning, leading them to believe that changing the port type could solve the DHCP issue.
✗DHCP can provide only one scope in the entire network.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is incorrect because DHCP can support multiple scopes across different VLANs, allowing for distinct address ranges for each VLAN. Thus, having multiple scopes is not a limitation of DHCP itself.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a question where the focus is on a network design that restricts DHCP to a single scope due to specific hardware limitations or legacy configurations, this option could be correct. For example, if the exam asked about a scenario where a network only supports one DHCP scope due to a misconfigured router or switch.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might choose this option due to a misunderstanding of DHCP's capabilities, mistakenly believing that a single scope limitation is a common issue in VLAN configurations, especially if they have encountered simplified network setups in their studies.
✗The clients must use static addresses before DHCP relay can work.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is incorrect because DHCP relay does not require clients to use static addresses; it is designed to facilitate dynamic IP address assignment. Static addresses would not affect the relay process or the DHCP server's ability to assign addresses from the correct scope.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different exam scenario where the question discusses a network configuration issue with DHCP relay, and it specifies that clients are unable to receive any DHCP offers due to misconfiguration, this option could be correct if the context implies that static addresses are a prerequisite for DHCP relay functionality.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option due to a misunderstanding of how DHCP relay works, mistakenly believing that static IP addresses are necessary for the relay process to function correctly.
Analysis generated from the official 200-301blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that DHCP can only serve one scope per network, when in fact the issue is typically a misconfigured relay path or server scope mapping, not a protocol limitation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When a DHCP relay agent forwards a DISCOVER packet, it inserts the gateway IP address (giaddr) field with the IP of the SVI (e.g., VLAN 40's subnet). The DHCP server uses this giaddr to select the correct scope. If the relay agent points to the wrong server IP or the server lacks a matching scope for that giaddr, the server may fall back to a default scope or a scope for a different subnet, causing the wrong address assignment. In production, this often occurs when multiple VLANs share a single helper address but the server's scope definitions are misaligned.
KKey Concepts to Remember
DHCP relay agents forward client requests to DHCP servers on different subnets.
The `ip helper-address` command configures a DHCP relay agent.
The relay agent inserts its SVI IP into the GIADDR field for scope identification.
DHCP servers use the GIADDR to select the appropriate IP address scope.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
DHCP relay agents forward client requests to DHCP servers on different subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 200-301 question in full detail.
Review dHCP relay agents forward client requests to DHCP servers on different subnets., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Network Services and Security — This question tests Network Services and Security — DHCP relay agents forward client requests to DHCP servers on different subnets..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The relay path is sending requests to the wrong DHCP scope or server target. — Option A is correct because the DHCP relay agent (typically configured on the VLAN 40 SVI with the 'ip helper-address' command) is forwarding client broadcast requests to a DHCP server that either has no scope for VLAN 40 or has a scope configured for a different subnet. This causes the server to assign an address from the wrong scope, as the relay agent does not filter by scope—it simply forwards the packet to the configured server IP.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review dHCP relay agents forward client requests to DHCP servers on different subnets., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
DHCP relay agents forward client requests to DHCP servers on different subnets.
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