Question 1mediumdrag order
Read the full DHCP explanation →Question 936 of 2,015
Quick Answer
The correct order of the DHCP DORA process is Discover, Offer, Request, and Acknowledge, followed by the client applying the IP configuration. This sequence is fundamental because DHCP relies on a four-step broadcast handshake to dynamically assign IP addresses: the client first sends a Discover to find available servers, the server replies with an Offer of a lease, the client then sends a Request to formally accept that offer, and the server finalizes with an Acknowledge that includes the configuration parameters. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this concept often appears as a drag-and-drop ordering task, testing your understanding of the stateful DHCP transaction rather than just memorizing the acronym. A common trap is confusing the Offer and Request steps—remember that the server offers first, then the client requests. To lock in the order, use the mnemonic “DORA: Do Offer, Request, Acknowledge,” keeping in mind that the client always initiates the conversation.
CCNP NAT and DHCP Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of nat and dhcp. 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.
Drag and drop the steps of the DHCP DORA process into the correct order, from first to last.
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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
✓
Client broadcasts DHCP Discover
The DHCP DORA process begins with the client broadcasting a Discover message to locate a DHCP server. The server responds with an Offer message containing an IP address and configuration parameters. The client then sends a Request message to formally request the offered IP address. Finally, the server sends an Acknowledge message to confirm the lease and provide the configuration.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 350-401 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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NAT and DHCP — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-401 question test?
NAT and DHCP — This question tests NAT and DHCP — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Client broadcasts DHCP Discover — The DHCP DORA process begins with the client broadcasting a Discover message to locate a DHCP server. The server responds with an Offer message containing an IP address and configuration parameters. The client then sends a Request message to formally request the offered IP address. Finally, the server sends an Acknowledge message to confirm the lease and provide the configuration.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 350-401 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on 350-401
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Drag and drop each DHCP message on the left to its correct order in the DORA process on the right.
medium- ✓ P1.DHCPDISCOVER: Client broadcasts to find DHCP servers
- ✓ P2.DHCPOFFER: Server offers an IP address to the client
- ✓ P3.DHCPREQUEST: Client requests the offered IP address
- ✓ P4.DHCPACK: Server acknowledges and assigns the IP address
- ✓ P5.DHCPNAK: Server denies the client's request
Why P1: The DORA process is Discover, Offer, Request, Acknowledge.
Variation 2. Drag and drop each DHCP message on the left to its matching flow order position on the right.
medium- ✓ P1.DHCPDISCOVER: First message sent by client to locate a DHCP server
- ✓ P2.DHCPOFFER: Second message sent by server with an offered IP address
- ✓ P3.DHCPREQUEST: Third message sent by client to accept the offered IP
- ✓ P4.DHCPACK: Fourth message sent by server to confirm the lease
- ✓ P5.DHCPNAK: Message sent by server to reject a client's request
Why P1: The DHCP DORA process: Discover (client broadcasts), Offer (server unicasts), Request (client broadcasts), Acknowledge (server unicasts). DHCPNAK is sent by server to reject a request, and DHCPDECLINE is sent by client if it detects an address conflict.
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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