Question 1mediummulti select
Read the full DHCP explanation →Question 341 of 1,819
Quick Answer
The correct answer is that DHCP options like default gateway and DNS server are included in DHCPOFFER and DHCPACK messages. This is true because the DHCP DORA process—Discover, Offer, Request, Acknowledge—relies on the server embedding critical network parameters within the Options field of the Offer and Acknowledge packets, allowing the client to receive its IP lease alongside essential configuration like subnet mask and DNS. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this tests your understanding that the Discover is a broadcast (destination 255.255.255.255) since the client has no server IP, and the server uses the client’s MAC address from the CHADDR field to assign the lease. A common trap is assuming options appear only in the Acknowledge, but they are present in both Offer and Acknowledge. Remember the mnemonic: “Options arrive with Offer and Acknowledge, not just the final stage.”
CCNA Network Infrastructure and Connectivity Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network infrastructure and connectivity. 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. 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 statements are true about the operation of Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) in an enterprise network? (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
✓
A DHCP client sends a DHCPDISCOVER message as a broadcast to locate a DHCP server.
The DHCP client sends a DHCPDISCOVER message as a broadcast (destination IP 255.255.255.255) because it does not yet know the IP address of any DHCP server. The server uses the client's MAC address (from the CHADDR field) to uniquely identify the client and assign an IP address. DHCP options like default gateway and DNS server are carried in the DHCPOFFER and DHCPACK messages as part of the Options field, allowing the server to provide essential network configuration parameters.
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 DHCPREQUEST is always unicast, but in the initial DORA exchange, it is broadcast until the client receives an ACK and configures its IP; the trap here is confusing the renewal process with the initial lease acquisition.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The DHCP DORA process (Discover, Offer, Request, Acknowledge) relies on UDP ports 67 (server) and 68 (client). The DHCPDISCOVER and DHCPREQUEST messages are broadcast to ensure all servers on the subnet can respond, even if the client has no IP configuration. In a real-world scenario, a DHCP relay agent (configured with the 'ip helper-address' command) forwards these broadcasts to a remote DHCP server, allowing centralized IP address management across multiple subnets without requiring a server on every VLAN.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — This question tests Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A DHCP client sends a DHCPDISCOVER message as a broadcast to locate a DHCP server. — The DHCP client sends a DHCPDISCOVER message as a broadcast (destination IP 255.255.255.255) because it does not yet know the IP address of any DHCP server. The server uses the client's MAC address (from the CHADDR field) to uniquely identify the client and assign an IP address. DHCP options like default gateway and DNS server are carried in the DHCPOFFER and DHCPACK messages as part of the Options field, allowing the server to provide essential network configuration parameters.
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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