LFCS Networking Practice Question
A network interface eth0 is not receiving an IP address via DHCP. Which command can be used to troubleshoot the DHCP client process?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse the DHCP client process (dhclient) with the DHCP server process (dhcpd), leading candidates to choose options that manage or test the server instead of the client.
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
✓
dhclient -v eth0
The `dhclient -v eth0` command runs the DHCP client in verbose mode on interface eth0, which is the correct tool to troubleshoot the DHCP client process. It shows detailed messages about the DHCPDISCOVER, DHCPOFFER, DHCPREQUEST, and DHCPACK exchange, helping identify where the process fails. This directly addresses the issue of the interface not receiving an IP address via DHCP.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
dhclient -v eth0
Why this is correct
Running dhclient with -v on eth0 forces the DHCP client into verbose foreground mode, printing each DHCPDISCOVER, DHCPOFFER, DHCPREQUEST and DHCPACK exchange. This exposes whether the client transmits, receives offers, or fails, directly troubleshooting the DHCP client process.
- ✗
systemctl status dhcpd
Why it's wrong here
dhcpd is the server daemon, so systemctl status dhcpd reports on a DHCP server, not the client on eth0. It is tempting because systemctl status is the standard way to inspect a failing service, and would be correct on a host running isc-dhcp-server.
- ✗
nmcli dev show eth0
Why it's wrong here
nmcli dev show eth0 only displays current interface configuration and state; it does not expose the DHCP client's lease negotiation or errors. It suits confirming an address is absent, whereas inspecting dhclient or NetworkManager logs reveals why the request failed.
- ✗
dhcpd -t
Why it's wrong here
dhcpd -t validates the server's configuration file syntax; it does not query or trace a client's lease acquisition. It is tempting as a diagnostic flag, and would be correct when verifying dhcpd.conf before restarting a DHCP server.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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