LPIC-2 Advanced Networking Configuration Practice Question
A DHCP server running on a Linux machine is not leasing IP addresses to clients on a particular VLAN. The server's configuration file includes a subnet declaration for that VLAN, but clients receive only link-local addresses. What is the most likely issue?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently assume a DHCP relay agent is always required for cross-subnet operation, but the question's phrasing about a 'particular VLAN' and 'link-local addresses' points to the fundamental broadcast domain boundary, not a relay failure.
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
✓
The DHCP server's interface is not in the same broadcast domain.
The DHCP server's interface must be in the same broadcast domain (i.e., the same VLAN) as the clients to receive their DHCPDISCOVER broadcasts directly. If the server is on a different subnet or VLAN without a DHCP relay agent, the broadcast frames never reach the server, so clients receive no DHCPOFFER and fall back to link-local addresses (APIPA).
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 DHCP server is not running.
Why it's wrong here
If the server were not running, clients would get link-local addresses, but internal resolution would also fail; the server is likely running since it has a subnet declaration.
- ✗
The DHCP relay agent is not forwarding requests to the server.
Why it's wrong here
While possible, this scenario assumes no relay is configured; the more direct cause is that the server is not in the same broadcast domain.
- ✓
The DHCP server's interface is not in the same broadcast domain.
Why this is correct
DHCP uses broadcast, so the server must be on the same L2 segment or a relay must be present to forward requests.
- ✗
The subnet mask in the DHCP configuration is incorrect.
Why it's wrong here
An incorrect subnet mask would still allow leases, but clients might get wrong addresses; it would not prevent leases entirely.
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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.