The correct combination is DHCP client and DHCP server. The router must act as a DHCP client on its WAN interface to automatically obtain a public IP address from the ISP’s server, while simultaneously functioning as a DHCP server on its LAN side to assign private IP addresses to internal devices. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how a router bridges two distinct DHCP roles—one as a receiver and one as a giver—and a common trap is confusing DHCP with NAT or DNS, which handle address translation and name resolution, not IP assignment. Remember that DHCP is strictly about leasing IP addresses, so the router needs both client and server modes to fulfill the two separate addressing needs. A helpful memory tip: think of the router as a middleman—it borrows a public IP from the ISP (client) and then lends private IPs to your devices (server).
220-1201 Network Services Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network services. 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.
A network administrator is setting up a new branch office. The branch router must automatically obtain a public IP address from the ISP, and internal devices must receive private IP addresses from the router. Which combination of network services should be configured on the router?
Why wrong: The router needs DHCP client for the WAN, but internal devices need DHCP server, not DNS server. DNS server is not required for IP assignment.
B
DHCP client and DHCP server
The router acts as a DHCP client on the WAN side to get a public IP, and as a DHCP server on the LAN side to assign private IPs.
C
DHCP server and NAT
Why wrong: NAT is needed for internet sharing, but the router must also obtain a public IP via DHCP client; this option omits that.
D
DNS server and NAT
Why wrong: DNS server is not required for IP assignment; the router needs DHCP client and server for addressing.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
DHCP client and DHCP server
The router needs DHCP client mode to obtain a public IP from the ISP, and DHCP server mode to assign private IPs to internal devices. DNS and NAT are also needed but the question asks for the services that provide IP addresses. NAT is required to translate private IPs to the public IP for internet access.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
DHCP client and DNS server
Why it's wrong here
The router needs DHCP client for the WAN, but internal devices need DHCP server, not DNS server. DNS server is not required for IP assignment.
✓
DHCP client and DHCP server
Why this is correct
The router acts as a DHCP client on the WAN side to get a public IP, and as a DHCP server on the LAN side to assign private IPs.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
DHCP server and NAT
Why it's wrong here
NAT is needed for internet sharing, but the router must also obtain a public IP via DHCP client; this option omits that.
✗
DNS server and NAT
Why it's wrong here
DNS server is not required for IP assignment; the router needs DHCP client and server for addressing.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1201 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Network Services — This question tests Network Services — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: DHCP client and DHCP server — The router needs DHCP client mode to obtain a public IP from the ISP, and DHCP server mode to assign private IPs to internal devices. DNS and NAT are also needed but the question asks for the services that provide IP addresses. NAT is required to translate private IPs to the public IP for internet access.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1201 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
About these practice questions
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 →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 220-1201 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.