LPIC-2 Network Client Management Practice Question
A user reports they cannot obtain an IP address via DHCP. The DHCP server logs show no client activity, but the network cable is connected. Which configuration is most likely missing on the DHCP server?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often focus on client-side issues or access control (like deny unknown-clients) when the logs show no activity, but the real cause is the server not being configured to listen on the client's subnet at all.
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
✓
subnet declaration
The DHCP server logs show no client activity, meaning the server is not receiving DHCPDISCOVER packets from the client. The most likely missing configuration is a subnet declaration, which defines the network segment the DHCP server should listen on and allocate addresses from. Without a matching subnet declaration in the DHCP configuration (e.g., /etc/dhcp/dhcpd.conf), the server will ignore requests from that subnet, even if the physical cable is connected.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
deny unknown-clients
Why it's wrong here
This option would block clients, but it is not missing by default.
- ✗
default-lease-time
Why it's wrong here
Lease time is not required for initial client discovery.
- ✗
option domain-name
Why it's wrong here
Domain name is not required for IP address assignment.
- ✓
subnet declaration
Why this is correct
A subnet declaration is required to define the pool of addresses.
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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.