DHCP uses which IP address as the destination when requesting an address for dynamic configuration?

DHCP uses which IP address as the destination when requesting an address for dynamic configuration?

• A. 255.255.255.255
• B. 0.0.0.0
• C. 255.255.0.0
• D. 192.168.1.1

Answer: (A)

When a device hasn’t yet obtained an IP address, it must broadcast its DHCP messages on the local network so any DHCP server can hear and respond. The client uses a source of 0.0.0.0 because it has no IP yet, and it sends to the limited broadcast address 255.255.255.255 so the message reaches all hosts on the local subnet, including any DHCP servers. The other options don’t fit: 0.0.0.0 isn’t used as a destination, 255.255.0.0 is a broader network broadcast not specific to DHCP on the local link, and 192.168.1.1 is just a common private gateway address, not a broadcast destination for DHCP discovery or requests. Therefore, the destination is 255.255.255.255.

When a device hasn’t yet obtained an IP address, it must broadcast its DHCP messages on the local network so any DHCP server can hear and respond. The client uses a source of 0.0.0.0 because it has no IP yet, and it sends to the limited broadcast address 255.255.255.255 so the message reaches all hosts on the local subnet, including any DHCP servers. The other options don’t fit: 0.0.0.0 isn’t used as a destination, 255.255.0.0 is a broader network broadcast not specific to DHCP on the local link, and 192.168.1.1 is just a common private gateway address, not a broadcast destination for DHCP discovery or requests. Therefore, the destination is 255.255.255.255.