350-401 Infrastructure Practice Question
A network administrator is configuring a Cisco IOS router to provide DHCP services to a remote subnet. The router's interface on that subnet is configured with the address 10.1.1.1/24. Which command is required to exclude the router's own address from the DHCP pool?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse the command to exclude addresses with the command to create a pool; excluding the entire subnet would break DHCP service.
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 10.1.1.1
The 'ip dhcp excluded-address' command is used to prevent specific IP addresses from being assigned by the DHCP server. In this scenario, excluding the router's interface address 10.1.1.1 ensures it remains available for the router itself and is not leased to a client.
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 10.1.1.1
Why it's wrong here
The 'ip dhcp pool' command creates a DHCP pool with a name, not an address exclusion. It does not exclude addresses; instead, it defines a pool of addresses to lease. The argument is a pool name, not an IP address. This command alone would not prevent the router's address from being assigned.
- ✗
ip dhcp relay information option
Why it's wrong here
This command enables the DHCP relay agent to insert option 82 information, which is used for relayed DHCP requests. It does not exclude addresses from a pool. It is relevant when the router acts as a relay, not as a DHCP server excluding its own address.
- ✓
ip dhcp excluded-address 10.1.1.1
Why this is correct
The 'ip dhcp excluded-address' command prevents the router from assigning specific addresses, such as its own interface address, to DHCP clients. It is configured in global configuration mode and can specify a single address or a range. This ensures the router's IP is not leased to other devices.
- ✗
ip dhcp excluded-address 10.1.1.0 10.1.1.255
Why it's wrong here
This command would exclude the entire subnet, leaving no addresses available for DHCP clients. While it does exclude the router's address, it is overly broad and incorrect for the scenario. The requirement is to exclude only the router's address, not the whole range.
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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.