SSCP Network and Communications Security Practice Question
Which UDP port is used by the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) for server communication?
⚠ Common exam trap
SSCP often tests the specific UDP port numbers for common protocols, and candidates frequently confuse DHCP server port 67 with client port 68 or with other well-known ports like 53 (DNS) or 69 (TFTP).
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
✓
67
DHCP servers listen on UDP port 67 for client requests, while clients use UDP port 68. When a client broadcasts a DHCPDISCOVER message, it is sent from source port 68 to destination port 67. The server responds with a DHCPOFFER from port 67 to port 68. Therefore, port 67 is the correct answer for server communication.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
161
Why it's wrong here
UDP 161 carries Simple Network Management Protocol queries, not DHCP; DHCP servers use UDP 67. It is tempting because 161 is a well-known UDP port used in network monitoring, and would be correct for identifying the port an SNMP agent listens on for management requests.
- ✗
69
Why it's wrong here
UDP 69 carries Trivial File Transfer Protocol, not DHCP; DHCP servers use UDP 67. It is tempting because 69 is a well-known UDP port encountered in network administration, and would be correct for identifying the port a TFTP server listens on for file transfers.
- ✗
53
Why it's wrong here
UDP 53 carries Domain Name System queries, not DHCP; DHCP servers use UDP 67. It is tempting because 53 is a familiar UDP port in everyday networking, and would be correct for identifying the port a DNS server listens on for name resolution requests.
- ✓
67
Why this is correct
DHCP servers listen on UDP port 67 for client requests, while clients use port 68 to receive replies. This satisfies the stem's requirement for the server-side communication port, distinguishing the server's listening socket from the client's response socket.
Visual reference
About these practice questions
One of 971 original SSCP practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISC2 exam blueprint
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.