Which DHCP message is sent by the server in response to a client's initial DISCOVER?

Which DHCP message is sent by the server in response to a client's initial DISCOVER?

• A. DHCPOFFER
• B. DHCPACK
• C. DHCPREQUEST
• D. DHCPDECLINE

Answer: (A)

The key idea is how DHCP establishes a lease. When a client boots and has no IP yet, it broadcasts a DHCPDISCOVER to find a server. The server’s response to that initial broadcast is a DHCPOFFER, offering an IP address and other network details (subnet mask, gateway, lease time). This offer may come from one or multiple servers, since the client can receive several offers. The client then picks one, sends a DHCPREQUEST to confirm, and the chosen server replies with DHCPACK to finalize the lease. The DHCPACK comes after the client requests the offered address, not as the first response to discovery. A DHCPDECLINE would be used if the offered address has a conflict or is unusable.

The key idea is how DHCP establishes a lease. When a client boots and has no IP yet, it broadcasts a DHCPDISCOVER to find a server. The server’s response to that initial broadcast is a DHCPOFFER, offering an IP address and other network details (subnet mask, gateway, lease time). This offer may come from one or multiple servers, since the client can receive several offers. The client then picks one, sends a DHCPREQUEST to confirm, and the chosen server replies with DHCPACK to finalize the lease. The DHCPACK comes after the client requests the offered address, not as the first response to discovery. A DHCPDECLINE would be used if the offered address has a conflict or is unusable.