The correct answer is that the client successfully obtained the IP address 192.168.1.100, as the logs confirm the complete four-step DHCP handshake of DISCOVER, OFFER, REQUEST, and ACK. This sequence, often abbreviated as DORA, is the fundamental process by which a DHCP server dynamically assigns an IP lease to a client; the final ACK message from the server is the definitive confirmation that the address has been granted and the transaction is complete. On the LPIC-1 exam, questions on DHCP server logs interpretation test your ability to read system logs (typically in /var/log/syslog or /var/log/messages) and identify whether a lease succeeded or failed, often using the presence or absence of the ACK as the key indicator. A common trap is to mistake a DHCPNAK for a successful lease or to assume a REQUEST alone means success—remember, only the ACK finalizes the handshake. For a quick memory tip, think of the mnemonic “DORA the Explorer” to recall the correct order: Discover, Offer, Request, Acknowledge.
LPIC-1 Essential System Services and Networking Practice Question
This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of essential system services and networking. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
$ cat /var/log/messages | grep -i "dhcp" | tail -5
Nov 12 08:22:15 server dhcpd: DHCPDISCOVER from 00:1a:2b:3c:4d:5e via eth0
Nov 12 08:22:15 server dhcpd: DHCPOFFER on 192.168.1.100 to 00:1a:2b:3c:4d:5e via eth0
Nov 12 08:22:18 server dhcpd: DHCPREQUEST for 192.168.1.100 (192.168.1.1) from 00:1a:2b:3c:4d:5e via eth0
Nov 12 08:22:18 server dhcpd: DHCPACK on 192.168.1.100 to 00:1a:2b:3c:4d:5e via eth0
Nov 12 08:22:20 server dhcpd: DHCPINFORM from 192.168.1.100 via eth0
An administrator reviews the above DHCP server logs. Based on the output, which statement is correct about the DHCP transaction?
Refer to the exhibit.
$ cat /var/log/messages | grep -i "dhcp" | tail -5
Nov 12 08:22:15 server dhcpd: DHCPDISCOVER from 00:1a:2b:3c:4d:5e via eth0
Nov 12 08:22:15 server dhcpd: DHCPOFFER on 192.168.1.100 to 00:1a:2b:3c:4d:5e via eth0
Nov 12 08:22:18 server dhcpd: DHCPREQUEST for 192.168.1.100 (192.168.1.1) from 00:1a:2b:3c:4d:5e via eth0
Nov 12 08:22:18 server dhcpd: DHCPACK on 192.168.1.100 to 00:1a:2b:3c:4d:5e via eth0
Nov 12 08:22:20 server dhcpd: DHCPINFORM from 192.168.1.100 via eth0
A
The client sent a DHCPINFORM to renew its existing lease.
Why wrong: DHCPINFORM is used to request additional config, not for renewal.
B
The DHCP server is configured to assign IP addresses from a pool that includes 192.168.1.100.
Why wrong: The log does not reveal the pool configuration; it only shows that 192.168.1.100 was offered and acknowledged.
C
The client successfully obtained the IP address 192.168.1.100.
DHCPACK confirms the lease assignment.
D
The DHCP server rejected the client's request because the DHCPREQUEST was not broadcast.
Why wrong: The DHCPREQUEST was unicast to the server (192.168.1.1), which is valid after an OFFER.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The client successfully obtained the IP address 192.168.1.100.
The DHCP server logs show a successful four-way handshake: DHCPDISCOVER, DHCPOFFER, DHCPREQUEST, and DHCPACK. The final DHCPACK from the server confirms that the client has been granted the IP address 192.168.1.100, making option C correct.
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 client sent a DHCPINFORM to renew its existing lease.
Why it's wrong here
DHCPINFORM is used to request additional config, not for renewal.
✗
The DHCP server is configured to assign IP addresses from a pool that includes 192.168.1.100.
Why it's wrong here
The log does not reveal the pool configuration; it only shows that 192.168.1.100 was offered and acknowledged.
✓
The client successfully obtained the IP address 192.168.1.100.
Why this is correct
DHCPACK confirms the lease assignment.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The DHCP server rejected the client's request because the DHCPREQUEST was not broadcast.
Why it's wrong here
The DHCPREQUEST was unicast to the server (192.168.1.1), which is valid after an OFFER.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse the DHCPREQUEST broadcast requirement with a rejection, or incorrectly assume that a DHCPINFORM is used for lease renewal, when in fact DHCPINFORM is only for stateless configuration requests.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The log does not reveal the pool configuration; it only shows that 192.168.1.100 was offered and acknowledged.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The DHCP four-way handshake (DISCOVER/OFFER/REQUEST/ACK) is defined in RFC 2131. The client broadcasts a DHCPREQUEST to accept an offered IP address, and the server responds with a DHCPACK to finalize the lease. In real-world scenarios, if the server sends a DHCPNAK instead of an ACK, it indicates the requested address is no longer available or the subnet is mismatched, which would cause the client to restart the discovery process.
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.
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.
Essential System Services and Networking — This question tests Essential System Services and Networking — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The client successfully obtained the IP address 192.168.1.100. — The DHCP server logs show a successful four-way handshake: DHCPDISCOVER, DHCPOFFER, DHCPREQUEST, and DHCPACK. The final DHCPACK from the server confirms that the client has been granted the IP address 192.168.1.100, making option C correct.
What should I do if I get this LPIC-1 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.
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Question Discussion
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