The answer is 86400 seconds, or exactly one day, which is the default DHCPv4 client lease time on a Cisco IOS-XE router. This default value is rooted in RFC 2131, which suggests a one-day lease as a reasonable balance between network stability and address pool efficiency, and Cisco’s implementation follows this standard without modification. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this fact tests your understanding of DHCP client behavior on IOS-XE, often appearing in questions about lease renewal timers or troubleshooting address assignment issues. A common trap is assuming the lease time matches the server’s configured value, but remember: when the router acts as a client, it requests and accepts the default 86400-second lease unless the server explicitly offers a different duration. Memory tip: think of a full day’s cycle—86,400 seconds is the number of seconds in 24 hours, so just associate “DHCP client” with “one day.”
300-410 DHCP (IPv4 and IPv6) Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of dhcp (ipv4 and ipv6). 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.
What is the default DHCPv4 client lease time on a Cisco IOS-XE router configured as a DHCP client?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
86400 seconds (1 day)
Cisco IOS-XE defaults to a DHCPv4 lease time of 86400 seconds (1 day) when acting as a client, per RFC 2131 and Cisco implementation.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
3600 seconds (1 hour)
Why it's wrong here
This is not the default; 3600 seconds is a common server-assigned lease time, not the IOS client default.
✗
43200 seconds (12 hours)
Why it's wrong here
This is a possible server-assigned value but not the IOS default client lease time.
✓
86400 seconds (1 day)
Why this is correct
Cisco IOS-XE DHCP client requests a lease time of 86400 seconds by default.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
1800 seconds (30 minutes)
Why it's wrong here
This is too short; the IOS default is 86400 seconds.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 practitioner preparing for the 300-410 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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 300-410 question in full detail.
Identify which 300-410 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
DHCP (IPv4 and IPv6) — This question tests DHCP (IPv4 and IPv6) — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 86400 seconds (1 day) — Cisco IOS-XE defaults to a DHCPv4 lease time of 86400 seconds (1 day) when acting as a client, per RFC 2131 and Cisco implementation.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?
Identify which 300-410 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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