This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network services and security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: the DHCP client sends a DHCPDISCOVER message to locate available DHCP servers on the network.. 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.
Which DHCP message does the client send to formally accept an offered address?
DISCOVER
Why wrong: DISCOVER starts the process but does not accept the offer.
OFFER
Why wrong: OFFER is sent by the server.
REQUEST
Correct. REQUEST is the client's acceptance step.
ACK
Why wrong: ACK is sent by the server, not the client.
Answer choices
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.
Key principle: The DHCP client sends a DHCPDISCOVER message to locate available DHCP servers on the network.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
DISCOVER
Why it's wrong here
DISCOVER starts the process but does not accept the offer.
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
OFFER is sent by the server.
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
Correct. REQUEST is the client's acceptance step.
Related concept
The DHCP client sends a DHCPDISCOVER message to locate available DHCP servers on the network.
ACK
Why it's wrong here
ACK is sent by the server, not the client.
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
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.
Why this is correct
Correct. REQUEST is the client's acceptance step.
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.
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.
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?”
Common exam traps
Be careful not to confuse the direction of messages in the DHCP process. Remember which messages are client-initiated and which are server responses.
Detailed technical explanation
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) automates IP address assignment on networks, using a four-step process known as DORA: Discover, Offer, Request, and Acknowledge. The client initiates communication by broadcasting a DHCPDISCOVER message to locate available DHCP servers. Servers respond with a DHCPOFFER message containing an IP address and configuration parameters. The client then formally accepts one offer by sending a DHCPREQUEST message, signaling its intent to lease the offered IP address. Finally, the server confirms the lease with a DHCPACK message, completing the process. The DHCPREQUEST message is critical because it represents the client's explicit acceptance of the offered IP address and other configuration details. This message also serves to inform all DHCP servers about the selected offer, allowing non-selected servers to reclaim their offered addresses. Cisco devices follow this standard DHCP behavior, ensuring interoperability and consistent IP address management across diverse network environments. A common exam trap is confusing the DHCPREQUEST message with DHCPACK or DHCPDISCOVER. While DISCOVER initiates the process and ACK confirms the lease from the server, only REQUEST is sent by the client to accept the offer. Understanding this distinction is vital for CCNA candidates, as misidentifying the message flow can lead to incorrect answers. Practically, recognizing DHCPREQUEST helps network engineers troubleshoot IP assignment issues and verify proper client-server communication in Cisco networks.
Key takeaway
The DHCP client sends a DHCPDISCOVER message to locate available DHCP servers on the network.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the 200-301 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. The DHCP client sends a DHCPDISCOVER message to locate available DHCP servers on the network. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Review the DHCP client sends a DHCPDISCOVER message to locate available DHCP servers on the network., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Network Services and Security — This question tests Network Services and Security — The DHCP client sends a DHCPDISCOVER message to locate available DHCP servers on the network..
The correct answer is: REQUEST — In the DORA process, the client sends DHCPREQUEST after receiving an offer. The server then responds with DHCPACK if the lease is granted.
Review the DHCP client sends a DHCPDISCOVER message to locate available DHCP servers on the network., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
The DHCP client sends a DHCPDISCOVER message to locate available DHCP servers on the network.
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Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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