- A
DHCP client and DNS server
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.
Question 510 of 1,020
Router DHCP Client and Server Configuration
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?
Quick Answer
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).
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 client and DHCP server
The branch router needs to obtain a public IP address automatically from the ISP, which requires it to act as a DHCP client on its WAN interface. At the same time, internal devices need private IP addresses, so the router must also act as a DHCP server on its LAN interface, leasing addresses from a private range. Option B correctly combines both roles: DHCP client on the WAN side and DHCP server on the LAN side.
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 client and DNS server
- ✓
DHCP client and DHCP server
- ✗
DHCP server and NAT
- ✗
DNS server and NAT
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The CompTIA A+ exam often tests the distinction between DHCP client (for obtaining an IP on the WAN) and DHCP server (for assigning IPs on the LAN), and candidates mistakenly think NAT or DNS is required for IP assignment, when in fact NAT is for translation and DNS is for name resolution, not address leasing.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
On a Cisco router, the DHCP client is configured on the WAN interface using the 'ip address dhcp' command, which sends a DHCPDISCOVER broadcast to the ISP's DHCP server. The DHCP server on the LAN side is enabled with 'ip dhcp pool' commands, defining a private subnet (e.g., 192.168.1.0/24) and default gateway. A common real-world scenario is a small office using a cable modem or DSL modem where the ISP provides a dynamic public IP via DHCP, and the router's internal DHCP server hands out RFC 1918 addresses to workstations.
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 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.
Visual reference
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Network Services — This question tests Network Services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: DHCP client and DHCP server — The branch router needs to obtain a public IP address automatically from the ISP, which requires it to act as a DHCP client on its WAN interface. At the same time, internal devices need private IP addresses, so the router must also act as a DHCP server on its LAN interface, leasing addresses from a private range. Option B correctly combines both roles: DHCP client on the WAN side and DHCP server on the LAN side.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 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.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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