CCNP Infrastructure Practice Question
A network engineer is configuring a Cisco IOS router to act as a DHCP server for a subnet. The engineer wants to exclude a range of addresses from being assigned dynamically. Which command should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse the DHCP pool configuration with address exclusion, when exclusion is configured globally, not within the pool.
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
✓
ip dhcp excluded-address
The 'ip dhcp excluded-address' command is specifically designed to prevent the DHCP server from assigning certain IP addresses. The other commands serve different purposes: creating a pool, enabling snooping, or configuring relay information. Thus, 'ip dhcp excluded-address' is the correct choice.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
ip dhcp pool
Why it's wrong here
The 'ip dhcp pool' command creates a DHCP pool and enters DHCP pool configuration mode. It is used to define the network, default gateway, DNS server, and other parameters for the pool. It does not exclude addresses; rather, it defines the pool from which addresses are allocated. Exclusions are configured separately.
- ✗
ip dhcp snooping
Why it's wrong here
The 'ip dhcp snooping' command is used to enable DHCP snooping, a security feature that filters untrusted DHCP messages and builds a binding table. It is not used to exclude addresses from a DHCP server's pool. Therefore, it does not meet the requirement of excluding addresses from dynamic assignment.
- ✓
ip dhcp excluded-address
Why this is correct
The 'ip dhcp excluded-address' command is used to specify a range of IP addresses that the DHCP server should not assign to clients. This is typically used for addresses that are statically assigned to servers, printers, or other network devices. It ensures that the DHCP server does not hand out these addresses, preventing conflicts.
- ✗
ip dhcp relay information
Why it's wrong here
The 'ip dhcp relay information' command is used to configure the DHCP relay agent to insert option 82 information into DHCP requests. It is not related to excluding addresses from a DHCP server's pool. This command is used on relay agents, not on DHCP servers for address exclusion.
Visual reference
About these practice questions
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
This 350-401 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 350-401 exam.