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350-401 DHCP Pool Configuration Practice Question
A network engineer is configuring a Cisco router to act as a DHCP server for a branch office. The engineer creates a DHCP pool for the 192.168.1.0/24 subnet and configures the default-router, dns-server, and domain-name options. However, clients are able to obtain IP addresses but cannot ping the default gateway. The engineer verifies that the router's interface IP is 192.168.1.1. What is the most likely cause?
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
✓
The router's interface is administratively down.
Given that the engineer verified the router interface IP is 192.168.1.1, which is within the 192.168.1.0/24 subnet, option A is factually incorrect. The most likely cause is that the interface is administratively down (option C). Although clients obtained IP addresses via DHCP, if the interface is administratively down, it will not forward traffic, making the default gateway unreachable. Option B (missing lease) would not prevent pinging the gateway. Option D (excluded-address blocking the gateway IP) would not cause unreachability because the IP is still valid on the interface.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The router's interface is not configured with an IP address in the 192.168.1.0/24 subnet.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The stem confirms the interface IP is 192.168.1.1, which is in the 192.168.1.0/24 subnet. Thus, this option is factually wrong.
- ✗
The DHCP pool is missing the lease command.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Missing the lease command affects lease duration but does not prevent clients from reaching the default gateway.
- ✓
The router's interface is administratively down.
Why this is correct
Correct. If the router's interface is administratively down, it cannot forward traffic, so clients cannot ping the default gateway even though DHCP works.
- ✗
The ip dhcp excluded-address command is blocking the default gateway IP.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The ip dhcp excluded-address command prevents the router from assigning that IP to clients, but the gateway IP itself remains valid on the interface.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.