Quick Answer
The answer is 1 day, or 86400 seconds. This is the default lease duration for a DHCPv4 address pool on a Cisco IOS router because the Cisco IOS DHCP server implementation automatically assigns a 24-hour lease when no lease duration is explicitly configured under the DHCP pool configuration. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this concept tests your understanding of DHCP operations and default behaviors, often appearing in questions that ask you to identify the lease time without any configured parameters. A common trap is assuming the default is longer, like 7 days, or confusing it with Windows Server defaults. Remember the memory tip: “One day, one default” — Cisco keeps it simple with a single 24-hour cycle, so if you see no lease command, think 86400 seconds.
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 lease duration for a DHCPv4 address pool on a Cisco IOS router?
1 day
The default lease time is 1 day (24 hours) unless overridden with the lease command.
7 days
Why wrong: 7 days is not the default; it can be configured but is not the default.
30 minutes
Why wrong: 30 minutes is not the default; the default is much longer.
Infinite
Why wrong: Infinite lease is not the default; it must be explicitly configured.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
1 day
The default lease duration for a DHCPv4 address pool on a Cisco IOS router is 1 day (86400 seconds). This is defined by the Cisco IOS DHCP server implementation, which uses a 24-hour lease as the default when no lease duration is explicitly configured under the DHCP pool configuration.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
1 day
Why this is correct
The default lease time is 1 day (24 hours) unless overridden with the lease command.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
7 days
Why it's wrong here
7 days is not the default; it can be configured but is not the default.
30 minutes
Why it's wrong here
30 minutes is not the default; the default is much longer.
Infinite
Why it's wrong here
Infinite lease is not the default; it must be explicitly configured.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the default lease value as a memorization point, and the trap here is that candidates may confuse the Cisco default with the RFC 2131 suggested default of 1 day (which is the same) or assume a longer lease like 7 days is standard for enterprise networks.
Detailed technical explanation
The lease duration is configured under the DHCP pool using the 'lease {days [hours] [minutes] | infinite}' command. The default of 1 day balances address reuse with network stability; shorter leases reduce the risk of stale bindings but increase DHCP traffic, while longer leases reduce overhead but can exhaust the pool if devices disconnect without releasing. In real-world scenarios, a 1-day lease is suitable for typical enterprise LANs where devices are mostly stationary and reboot daily.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
DHCP (IPv4 and IPv6) — This question tests DHCP (IPv4 and IPv6) — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: 1 day — The default lease duration for a DHCPv4 address pool on a Cisco IOS router is 1 day (86400 seconds). This is defined by the Cisco IOS DHCP server implementation, which uses a 24-hour lease as the default when no lease duration is explicitly configured under the DHCP pool configuration.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This 300-410 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 300-410 exam.
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