This LPIC-2 practice question tests your understanding of network client management. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A DHCP server is configured to serve multiple subnets but only clients on one subnet receive IP addresses. The server is connected to a router that does not forward DHCP broadcasts. What should be configured to support the other subnets?
Add more subnet declarations to the DHCP server
Why wrong: Subnet declarations are already present.
Set up a DHCP relay agent on the other subnets
A relay forwards DHCP broadcasts across routers.
Add 'shared-network' declarations
Why wrong: Shared-network is for multiple subnets on same physical network, not for routing.
Configure the router to act as a DHCP server
Why wrong: The router may not be a DHCP server.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Set up a DHCP relay agent on the other subnets
The router does not forward DHCP broadcasts, so clients on other subnets cannot reach the DHCP server. A DHCP relay agent (e.g., `dhcrelay` or `ip helper-address`) intercepts broadcast requests on those subnets and forwards them as unicast to the DHCP server, allowing the server to assign addresses from the appropriate subnet pools. This is the standard solution per RFC 1542 when routers do not support BOOTP forwarding.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Add more subnet declarations to the DHCP server
Why it's wrong here
Subnet declarations are already present.
Set up a DHCP relay agent on the other subnets
Why this is correct
A relay forwards DHCP broadcasts across routers.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Add 'shared-network' declarations
Why it's wrong here
Shared-network is for multiple subnets on same physical network, not for routing.
Configure the router to act as a DHCP server
Why it's wrong here
The router may not be a DHCP server.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often think adding more subnet declarations or using shared-network directives will fix the issue, but the core problem is the lack of broadcast forwarding, which only a relay agent can solve.
Detailed technical explanation
DHCP relay agents operate at Layer 3, converting broadcast DHCPDISCOVER messages into unicast requests directed to the DHCP server's IP address (using the `giaddr` field to indicate the client's subnet). The server then uses the `giaddr` to select the correct subnet pool and sends a unicast reply back to the relay agent, which forwards it to the client. In real-world deployments, this is commonly configured on routers with the `ip helper-address` command (Cisco) or by running `dhcrelay` on a Linux host in each remote subnet.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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
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FAQ
Network Client Management — This question tests Network Client Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Set up a DHCP relay agent on the other subnets — The router does not forward DHCP broadcasts, so clients on other subnets cannot reach the DHCP server. A DHCP relay agent (e.g., `dhcrelay` or `ip helper-address`) intercepts broadcast requests on those subnets and forwards them as unicast to the DHCP server, allowing the server to assign addresses from the appropriate subnet pools. This is the standard solution per RFC 1542 when routers do not support BOOTP forwarding.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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