This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of essential system services and networking. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
An administrator is configuring a DHCP server to assign IP addresses to clients in the 192.168.10.0/24 subnet. The server should provide the default gateway as 192.168.10.1 and DNS server as 8.8.8.8. Which option in /etc/dhcp/dhcpd.conf defines the default gateway?
option subnet-mask 255.255.255.0;
Why wrong: This sets subnet mask.
option routers 192.168.10.1;
routers is the DHCP option for default gateway.
option broadcast-address 192.168.10.255;
Why wrong: This sets broadcast address.
option domain-name-servers 8.8.8.8;
Why wrong: This sets DNS servers.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
option routers 192.168.10.1;
Option A is correct: `option routers` in dhcpd.conf sets the default gateway. Option B (option domain-name-servers) sets DNS. Option C (option subnet-mask) sets netmask. Option D (option broadcast-address) sets broadcast.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
option subnet-mask 255.255.255.0;
Why it's wrong here
This sets subnet mask.
option routers 192.168.10.1;
Why this is correct
routers is the DHCP option for default gateway.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
option broadcast-address 192.168.10.255;
Why it's wrong here
This sets broadcast address.
option domain-name-servers 8.8.8.8;
Why it's wrong here
This sets DNS servers.
Common exam traps
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related LPIC-1 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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FAQ
Essential System Services and Networking — This question tests Essential System Services and Networking — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
The correct answer is: option routers 192.168.10.1; — Option A is correct: `option routers` in dhcpd.conf sets the default gateway. Option B (option domain-name-servers) sets DNS. Option C (option subnet-mask) sets netmask. Option D (option broadcast-address) sets broadcast.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related LPIC-1 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This LPIC-1 practice question is part of Courseiva's free LPI 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 LPIC-1 exam.
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