A PC on a LAN connects to the internet immediately after the OS boots, with no manual IP configuration. Which feature most likely enabled this?

A PC on a LAN connects to the internet immediately after the OS boots, with no manual IP configuration. Which feature most likely enabled this?

• A. DHCP
• B. Static IP
• C. DNS server
• D. Proxy auto-config

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that a device can obtain its network settings automatically from a DHCP server, allowing instant connectivity after boot without manual input. DHCP provides the IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and often DNS server information to the client. When the PC boots, it broadcasts to the local network to find a DHCP server, which then offers an IP configuration that the PC accepts. With that information, the PC can reach the Internet through the gateway right away. Static IP would require you to enter an address and other settings manually, so it wouldn’t happen automatically. DNS server configuration alone handles name resolution, not how the IP address is obtained. Proxy auto-config deals with browser proxy settings, not core network addressing.

The key idea is that a device can obtain its network settings automatically from a DHCP server, allowing instant connectivity after boot without manual input. DHCP provides the IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and often DNS server information to the client. When the PC boots, it broadcasts to the local network to find a DHCP server, which then offers an IP configuration that the PC accepts. With that information, the PC can reach the Internet through the gateway right away.

Static IP would require you to enter an address and other settings manually, so it wouldn’t happen automatically. DNS server configuration alone handles name resolution, not how the IP address is obtained. Proxy auto-config deals with browser proxy settings, not core network addressing.