CCNA Network Services and Security Practice Question
Which DHCP message does the client send to formally accept an offered address?
⚠ Common exam trap
Be careful not to confuse the direction of messages in the DHCP process. Remember which messages are client-initiated and which are server responses.
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
✓
REQUEST
In the DORA process, the client sends DHCPREQUEST after receiving an offer. The server then responds with DHCPACK if the lease is granted.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
DISCOVER
Why it's wrong here
The DHCPDISCOVER is the client's initial broadcast used to locate any available DHCP servers on the network. It signals that the client needs an address but makes no commitment to any specific offer. Because it is only an exploration step that precedes the OFFER, it cannot be the client's formal acceptance.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question asked which DHCP message is used to initiate the IP address allocation process, then 'DISCOVER' would be the correct answer. This would be in the context of a question focused on the initial steps of the DHCP handshake.
- ✗
OFFER
Why it's wrong here
The DHCPOFFER is a server-to-client message that proposes an available IP address and configuration parameters. While an OFFER presents the terms of a potential lease, it does not bind either party; the client must return a DHCPREQUEST to accept. Thus, the OFFER is merely a proposal, not an acceptance.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question were to ask which message is sent by the server to propose an IP address to the client, then OFFER would be the correct answer. This would involve a scenario focusing on the DHCP server's role in the address allocation process.
- ✓
REQUEST
Why this is correct
The DHCPREQUEST is the client's formal acceptance message. After receiving a DHCPOFFER, the client sends this broadcast to bind the offered lease, effectively saying 'I accept this configuration.' The server only commits the lease upon receiving the DHCPREQUEST, making it the definitive acceptance step in the DHCP handshake.
- ✗
ACK
Why it's wrong here
The DHCPACK is the server's final confirmation message sent after receiving a DHCPREQUEST. It acknowledges the lease and provides the client with a definitive set of configuration parameters. Since the ACK is generated by the server—not the client—it cannot represent the client's formal acceptance.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question asked which DHCP message is sent by the server to confirm the acceptance of an IP address after the client sends a REQUEST, then 'ACK' would be the correct answer. This scenario focuses on the server's response rather than the client's action.
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.
✓REQUESTCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
The DHCPREQUEST is the client's formal acceptance message. After receiving a DHCPOFFER, the client sends this broadcast to bind the offered lease, effectively saying 'I accept this configuration.' The server only commits the lease upon receiving the DHCPREQUEST, making it the definitive acceptance step in the DHCP handshake.
✗DISCOVERWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The DISCOVER message is used by the client to locate available DHCP servers, not to accept an offered address. It is the first step in the DORA process.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question asked which DHCP message is used to initiate the IP address allocation process, then 'DISCOVER' would be the correct answer. This would be in the context of a question focused on the initial steps of the DHCP handshake.
Why candidates choose this
Students might think DISCOVER is the acceptance message because it is the first client message, but acceptance occurs later with REQUEST.
✗OFFERWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The OFFER message is sent by the DHCP server to propose an IP address to the client, not by the client to accept it. The client cannot send an OFFER.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question were to ask which message is sent by the server to propose an IP address to the client, then OFFER would be the correct answer. This would involve a scenario focusing on the DHCP server's role in the address allocation process.
Why candidates choose this
The word 'OFFER' might be misinterpreted as the client's acceptance of an offer, but in DHCP, the server makes the offer.
✗ACKWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The ACK message is sent by the DHCP server to confirm the lease after receiving the REQUEST, not by the client. The client does not send ACK.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question asked which DHCP message is sent by the server to confirm the acceptance of an IP address after the client sends a REQUEST, then 'ACK' would be the correct answer. This scenario focuses on the server's response rather than the client's action.
Why candidates choose this
Students may confuse ACK as a client acknowledgment because it is a common term for acknowledgment, but in DHCP, the server sends ACK to finalize the lease.
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?”
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.