Question 811 of 2,152

DHCP (IPv4 and IPv6) →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Default DHCP Lease Time on Cisco IOS-XE: 86400 Seconds

This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of dhcp (ipv4 and ipv6). 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.

What is the default DHCPv4 client lease time on a Cisco IOS-XE router configured as a DHCP client?

A
3600 seconds (1 hour)
Why wrong: This is not the default; 3600 seconds is a common server-assigned lease time, not the IOS client default.
B
43200 seconds (12 hours)
Why wrong: This is a possible server-assigned value but not the IOS default client lease time.
C
86400 seconds (1 day)
Cisco IOS-XE DHCP client requests a lease time of 86400 seconds by default.
D
1800 seconds (30 minutes)
Why wrong: This is too short; the IOS default is 86400 seconds.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Quick Answer

The answer is 86400 seconds, or exactly one day, which is the default DHCPv4 client lease time on a Cisco IOS-XE router. This default value is rooted in RFC 2131, which suggests a one-day lease as a reasonable balance between network stability and address pool efficiency, and Cisco’s implementation follows this standard without modification. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this fact tests your understanding of DHCP client behavior on IOS-XE, often appearing in questions about lease renewal timers or troubleshooting address assignment issues. A common trap is assuming the lease time matches the server’s configured value, but remember: when the router acts as a client, it requests and accepts the default 86400-second lease unless the server explicitly offers a different duration. Memory tip: think of a full day’s cycle—86,400 seconds is the number of seconds in 24 hours, so just associate “DHCP client” with “one day.”

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

✓

86400 seconds (1 day)

When a Cisco IOS-XE router is configured as a DHCPv4 client (e.g., using the 'ip address dhcp' command on an interface), the default lease time requested by the client is 86400 seconds (1 day). This value is defined in the Cisco DHCP client implementation and is the default lease time sent in the DHCPDISCOVER message, though the actual lease assigned depends on the DHCP server's configuration.

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.

✗
3600 seconds (1 hour)
Why it's wrong here
This is not the default; 3600 seconds is a common server-assigned lease time, not the IOS client default.
✗
43200 seconds (12 hours)
Why it's wrong here
This is a possible server-assigned value but not the IOS default client lease time.
✓
86400 seconds (1 day)
Why this is correct
Cisco IOS-XE DHCP client requests a lease time of 86400 seconds by default.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
1800 seconds (30 minutes)
Why it's wrong here
This is too short; the IOS default is 86400 seconds.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Cisco often tests the default DHCP client lease time on IOS-XE routers, and the trap here is that candidates confuse the default lease time requested by the client (86400 seconds) with common DHCP server default lease times (like 3600 or 43200 seconds) or with the default lease time for a Cisco IOS-XE DHCP server (which is also 86400 seconds, but for a different role).

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

The DHCP client on a Cisco IOS-XE router sends a DHCPDISCOVER packet with an 'Option 51 (IP Address Lease Time)' value of 86400 seconds by default. However, the DHCP server ultimately determines the lease duration; the client's requested lease is merely a suggestion. In real-world scenarios, if the server assigns a shorter lease (e.g., 3600 seconds), the client will accept it and renew accordingly, but the default request remains 1 day unless overridden by the 'lease' command in DHCP pool configuration (which applies to the server role, not the client).

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 300-410 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 300-410 question test?

DHCP (IPv4 and IPv6) — This question tests DHCP (IPv4 and IPv6) — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: 86400 seconds (1 day) — When a Cisco IOS-XE router is configured as a DHCPv4 client (e.g., using the 'ip address dhcp' command on an interface), the default lease time requested by the client is 86400 seconds (1 day). This value is defined in the Cisco DHCP client implementation and is the default lease time sent in the DHCPDISCOVER message, though the actual lease assigned depends on the DHCP server's configuration.

What should I do if I get this 300-410 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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Same concept, more angles

1 more ways this is tested on 300-410

These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.

Variation 1. What is the default DHCPv4 server lease time on a Cisco IOS-XE router configured as a DHCP server?

hard

A.3600 seconds (1 hour)
B.43200 seconds (12 hours)
✓ C.86400 seconds (1 day)
D.604800 seconds (7 days)

Why C: The default DHCPv4 lease time on a Cisco IOS-XE router configured as a DHCP server is 86400 seconds (1 day). This is defined in the Cisco IOS DHCP server configuration and is the standard default value used when no lease duration is explicitly specified in the DHCP pool configuration.

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