Question 1,322 of 2,152

DHCP (IPv4 and IPv6) →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

DHCP PXE Boot Failure: Next-Server Hostname Resolution Problem

This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of dhcp (ipv4 and ipv6). The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 router configured as a DHCPv4 server uses a pool with 'bootfile' and 'next-server' options for PXE boot. Clients receive the DHCP offer with the correct bootfile, but they fail to download it. Which is the most likely explanation?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

A
The 'next-server' is configured with a hostname, but the client does not have DNS resolution capabilities at boot time.
Correct: PXE clients typically cannot resolve hostnames; they need an IP address in the 'next-server' field.
B
The 'bootfile' name is case-sensitive, and the client is requesting a different case.
Why wrong: Incorrect: While case can be an issue, the more fundamental problem is the next-server.
C
The DHCP server is not configured with the 'option 150' for TFTP server.
Why wrong: Incorrect: Option 150 is for Cisco IP phones; PXE uses 'next-server' (option 66).
D
The client's subnet does not have a route to the TFTP server, but the DHCP server cannot control that.
Why wrong: Incorrect: While routing is needed, the question is about the DHCP configuration itself.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Quick Answer

The answer is that the 'next-server' is configured with a hostname, but the client lacks DNS resolution capabilities during the PXE boot process. This is correct because the DHCP 'next-server' option is designed to supply the IP address of the TFTP server from which the client downloads the bootfile; when a hostname is used instead, the client—operating in a pre-boot environment with no network stack or DNS client—cannot resolve that name to an IP address, causing the download to fail even though the bootfile name is correctly delivered. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this tests your understanding of DHCP option 66 (next-server) and the practical limitations of PXE clients, often appearing as a subtle trap where candidates overlook the client’s inability to perform DNS lookups at boot time. A common memory tip is "PXE needs an IP, not a name"—always configure the next-server with a literal IPv4 address to avoid this failure.

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 'next-server' is configured with a hostname, but the client does not have DNS resolution capabilities at boot time.

The correct answer is A because during PXE boot, the client does not yet have an IP address or DNS resolver configured. When the DHCP server specifies a hostname in the 'next-server' option, the client cannot resolve that hostname to an IP address to initiate the TFTP download. The client requires the TFTP server's IP address directly, not a DNS name, at this stage of the boot process.

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.

✓
The 'next-server' is configured with a hostname, but the client does not have DNS resolution capabilities at boot time.
Why this is correct
Correct: PXE clients typically cannot resolve hostnames; they need an IP address in the 'next-server' field.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The 'bootfile' name is case-sensitive, and the client is requesting a different case.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: While case can be an issue, the more fundamental problem is the next-server.
✗
The DHCP server is not configured with the 'option 150' for TFTP server.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Option 150 is for Cisco IP phones; PXE uses 'next-server' (option 66).
✗
The client's subnet does not have a route to the TFTP server, but the DHCP server cannot control that.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: While routing is needed, the question is about the DHCP configuration itself.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Cisco often tests the distinction between hostname and IP address in DHCP options, where candidates assume DNS is available during PXE boot, but the client's firmware lacks DNS resolution at that stage.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

In PXE boot, the DHCP 'next-server' (siaddr) field and 'bootfile' option (option 67) direct the client to the TFTP server and the file to download. The client's PXE firmware operates in a pre-OS environment with no DNS client; it can only use an IP address to contact the TFTP server. If 'next-server' is configured with a hostname, the client will fail to resolve it, even if DNS is available later in the boot process. This is defined in RFC 2131 and the PXE specification (Intel Wired for Management).

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 network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.

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: The 'next-server' is configured with a hostname, but the client does not have DNS resolution capabilities at boot time. — The correct answer is A because during PXE boot, the client does not yet have an IP address or DNS resolver configured. When the DHCP server specifies a hostname in the 'next-server' option, the client cannot resolve that hostname to an IP address to initiate the TFTP download. The client requires the TFTP server's IP address directly, not a DNS name, at this stage of the boot process.

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.

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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