Question 1easymultiple choice
Full question →- A
ARP
Why wrong: ARP resolves IP to MAC addresses.
- B
DNS
Why wrong: DNS is for name resolution.
- C
ICMP
Why wrong: ICMP is used for error reporting and ping.
- D
DHCP
DHCP dynamically assigns IP addresses.
Question 5 of 504
Quick Answer
The answer is DHCP, or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, which is the correct choice because it is specifically designed to automate the assignment of IP addresses and related network configuration parameters like subnet masks, default gateways, and DNS servers to devices on a network. This automation eliminates the need for manual IP configuration and significantly reduces the risk of address conflicts, making it a fundamental service for scalable network management. On the Systems Security Certified Practitioner SSCP exam, this concept tests your understanding of network infrastructure and common protocols; you may see it in questions about secure network design or troubleshooting connectivity issues. A common trap is confusing DHCP with DNS or ARP, but remember that DHCP is all about dynamic addressing, not name resolution or hardware address mapping. A helpful memory tip is to think of DHCP as a “lease manager” for IP addresses—it hands them out temporarily and reclaims them when devices leave the network.
SSCP Network and Communications Security Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of network and communications security. 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.
Which protocol is used to automatically assign IP addresses to devices on a network?
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) is the correct answer because it is specifically designed to automatically assign IP addresses and other network configuration parameters (such as subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS servers) to devices on a network. This eliminates the need for manual IP configuration and reduces the risk of address conflicts.
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.
- ✗
ARP
Why it's wrong here
ARP resolves IP to MAC addresses.
- ✗
DNS
Why it's wrong here
DNS is for name resolution.
- ✗
ICMP
Why it's wrong here
ICMP is used for error reporting and ping.
- ✓
DHCP
Why this is correct
DHCP dynamically assigns IP addresses.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse ARP's role in network communication (mapping IP to MAC) with IP address assignment, but ARP has no mechanism for leasing or configuring IP addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DHCP operates using a four-step process (DORA: Discover, Offer, Request, Acknowledge) over UDP ports 67 (server) and 68 (client). In real-world scenarios, DHCP can be configured with reservations to ensure specific devices always receive the same IP address, which is critical for servers or printers that require a fixed address for reliable access.
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 security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
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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Network and Communications Security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Network and Communications Security — This question tests Network and Communications Security — 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) is the correct answer because it is specifically designed to automatically assign IP addresses and other network configuration parameters (such as subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS servers) to devices on a network. This eliminates the need for manual IP configuration and reduces the risk of address conflicts.
What should I do if I get this SSCP 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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This SSCP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 SSCP exam.
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