Question 1mediummulti select
Read the full DHCP explanation →Question 1,004 of 1,819
Quick Answer
The correct answer is that DHCP snooping can prevent DHCP starvation attacks. This is true because DHCP snooping operates by classifying switch ports as trusted or untrusted, then filtering DHCP messages accordingly; only DHCP server responses (OFFER, ACK) from trusted ports are allowed, which blocks rogue servers and also throttles the flood of DISCOVER messages used in starvation attacks. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how DHCP snooping’s binding database and port trust states work together as a security layer, often appearing in a “choose three” question where a common trap is confusing DHCP snooping with DHCP client rate limiting or IP source guard. Remember the memory tip: “Trust the server, filter the flood” — trusted ports accept server replies, while untrusted ports block them, directly preventing both rogue servers and starvation.
CCNA Switching and Network Access Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of switching and network access. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. 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 three of the following are true about the operation of DHCP snooping? (Choose three.)
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
✓
DHCP snooping builds a binding database of trusted DHCP clients.
DHCP snooping is a security feature that builds and maintains a DHCP snooping binding database by monitoring DHCP messages exchanged on trusted and untrusted ports. It prevents rogue DHCP servers and DHCP starvation attacks by filtering DHCP messages based on the trust state of the interface. The binding database records the IP address, MAC address, VLAN, and port information for each DHCP client that successfully obtains a lease through a trusted DHCP server.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that DHCP snooping is automatically applied to all VLANs once enabled globally, but in reality you must explicitly enable it on each VLAN with the 'ip dhcp snooping vlan' command.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, DHCP snooping intercepts DHCP packets at the switch and compares them against the binding database; if a DHCPACK from a server does not match a previous DHCPDISCOVER or DHCPREQUEST from a client on an untrusted port, the packet is dropped. In a real-world scenario, an attacker on an untrusted port could send a flood of DHCPDISCOVER messages with spoofed MAC addresses to exhaust the DHCP server's address pool (starvation attack); DHCP snooping rate-limits DHCP traffic on untrusted ports to mitigate this. The binding database is also used by other security features like Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI) and IP Source Guard to prevent ARP spoofing and IP spoofing attacks.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Switching and Network Access — This question tests Switching and Network Access — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: DHCP snooping builds a binding database of trusted DHCP clients. — DHCP snooping is a security feature that builds and maintains a DHCP snooping binding database by monitoring DHCP messages exchanged on trusted and untrusted ports. It prevents rogue DHCP servers and DHCP starvation attacks by filtering DHCP messages based on the trust state of the interface. The binding database records the IP address, MAC address, VLAN, and port information for each DHCP client that successfully obtains a lease through a trusted DHCP server.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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