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Network Client ManagementeasyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

LPIC-2 Network Client Management Practice Question

Which directive in dhcpd.conf sets the maximum lease time?

⚠ Common exam trap

Test-takers frequently confuse `default-lease-time` (the fallback when no client request is made) with `max-lease-time` (the absolute ceiling), or assume that lease time is set via an `option` statement similar to other DHCP options like `option subnet-mask`.

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

max-lease-time

The `max-lease-time` directive in `dhcpd.conf` explicitly sets the maximum lease time (in seconds) that the DHCP server will assign to a client, overriding any client request for a longer lease. This ensures the server enforces an upper bound on lease duration, preventing clients from monopolizing IP addresses indefinitely.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

  • option lease-time

    Why it's wrong here

    Used to set lease time as an option, not a global directive.

  • default-lease-time

    Why it's wrong here

    Sets the default lease time, not maximum.

  • lease-time

    Why it's wrong here

    Not a valid directive in dhcpd.conf.

  • max-lease-time

    Why this is correct

    Correct directive for maximum lease time.

Visual reference

Client DHCP Server 1 Discover (broadcast) 2 Offer (IP: 192.168.1.10) 3 Request (I accept) 4 Acknowledge (lease confirmed) DORA — the four-step DHCP lease process

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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.