LPIC-2 Network Client Management Practice Question
A DHCP client reports it cannot obtain an IP address. The Ethernet cable is connected and the interface is up. The administrator runs 'dhclient eth0' but gets 'No DHCPOFFERS received'. The network has a DHCP server on the same subnet. Which command should the administrator use next to diagnose the problem?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often jump to checking interface status or routing, but the core issue is that DHCP is a broadcast-based protocol on the local link, so packet capture is the definitive way to verify whether the client's DISCOVER is reaching the server and whether the server's OFFER is returning.
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
✓
Run 'tcpdump -i eth0 port 67 or port 68' to monitor DHCP packets.
The client is not receiving DHCPOFFERs, indicating a network-level issue with DHCP traffic. Using tcpdump to capture packets on ports 67 (BOOTP server) and 68 (BOOTP client) allows the administrator to see if DHCPDISCOVER packets are leaving the client and whether any DHCPOFFER packets arrive from the server. This directly isolates whether the problem is a lack of server response, packet filtering, or a misconfigured relay agent.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Run 'route -n' to see if a default route exists.
Why it's wrong here
Not relevant to initial DHCP.
- ✗
Run 'netstat -i eth0' to check packet errors.
Why it's wrong here
Unlikely to show DHCP offers.
- ✓
Run 'tcpdump -i eth0 port 67 or port 68' to monitor DHCP packets.
Why this is correct
Captures DHCP traffic to identify issue.
- ✗
Run 'ifconfig eth0' to check the interface status.
Why it's wrong here
Already done; interface is up.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This LPIC-2 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-2 exam.