- A
DHCP
DHCP dynamically provides IP configuration to devices, making it the correct protocol for automated IP address assignment.
- B
DNS
Why wrong: DNS resolves hostnames to IP addresses, it does not assign IP addresses.
- C
ARP
Why wrong: ARP maps IP addresses to MAC addresses on a local network, not for assigning IP addresses.
- D
ICMP
Why wrong: ICMP is used for network diagnostics and error reporting, not for IP address assignment.
Question 45 of 520
N10-009 Networking Concepts Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of networking concepts. 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 wants to automate IP address assignment for client devices. Which protocol should be used?
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
✓
DHCP
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) automates IP address assignment by leasing IP configurations to client devices from a defined pool. This eliminates the need for manual static IP configuration, making it the correct protocol for automated IP address management.
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.
- ✓
DHCP
Why this is correct
DHCP dynamically provides IP configuration to devices, making it the correct protocol for automated IP address assignment.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
DNS
- ✗
ARP
Why it's wrong here
ARP maps IP addresses to MAC addresses on a local network, not for assigning IP addresses.
When this WOULD be correct
When a question asks which protocol is used to resolve a known IP address to its corresponding MAC address on a local network segment, ARP is the correct answer.
- ✗
ICMP
Why it's wrong here
ICMP is used for network diagnostics and error reporting, not for IP address assignment.
When this WOULD be correct
A question asking which protocol is used to test network connectivity or report errors, such as 'Which protocol does the ping command use?' would make ICMP the correct answer.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The N10-009 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓DHCPCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
DHCP dynamically provides IP configuration to devices, making it the correct protocol for automated IP address assignment.
✗DNSWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
DNS resolves domain names to IP addresses, but does not automate IP address assignment for client devices.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
When a question asks which protocol translates a domain name like 'example.com' into an IP address, DNS is the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse DNS with DHCP because both involve IP addresses and are commonly used in network configuration.
✗ARPWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) is used to map IP addresses to MAC addresses on a local network, not to automate IP address assignment for client devices.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
When a question asks which protocol is used to resolve a known IP address to its corresponding MAC address on a local network segment, ARP is the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse ARP with DHCP because both involve IP addresses, but ARP deals with mapping, not assignment.
✗ICMPWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
ICMP is used for network diagnostics and error reporting (e.g., ping, traceroute), not for automating IP address assignment. DHCP is the correct protocol for dynamic IP allocation.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question asking which protocol is used to test network connectivity or report errors, such as 'Which protocol does the ping command use?' would make ICMP the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse ICMP with a protocol that manages network addresses because both involve IP communication, or they might think ICMP can assign addresses due to its role in network layer operations.
Analysis generated from the official N10-009blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between DHCP for address assignment and DNS for name resolution, leading candidates to confuse the two when the question mentions 'automating IP address assignment'.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DHCP operates using a four-step DORA process (Discover, Offer, Request, Acknowledge) defined in RFC 2131. The DHCP server maintains a pool of addresses and can also assign subnet masks, default gateways, and DNS server addresses via options like Option 3 (Router) and Option 6 (DNS Server). In enterprise networks, DHCP snooping is often used to prevent rogue DHCP server attacks.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 N10-009 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.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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
Questions learners often ask
What does this N10-009 question test?
Networking Concepts — This question tests Networking Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: DHCP — DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) automates IP address assignment by leasing IP configurations to client devices from a defined pool. This eliminates the need for manual static IP configuration, making it the correct protocol for automated IP address management.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 →
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This N10-009 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 N10-009 exam.
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