Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Practice Exam

The correct answer describes the fundamental operation of a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server. DHCP dynamically assigns IP addresses to hosts through a leasing system, which means that each address is not permanently assigned, but rather leased for a specific duration. This allows for efficient utilization of IP address space, as addresses can be reused when hosts are not connected to the network.

In practice, a host connects to the network and requests an IP address. The DHCP server then assigns an IP address from its pool of available addresses along with other configuration details such as subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS servers. The lease period defines how long a host can use the address. Before the lease expires, the host can send a request to the server to renew the lease, which usually results in the host keeping the same address. This process supports the dynamic nature of networked environments where devices may frequently join or leave the network, ensuring that IP addresses are effectively managed.

The other options do not accurately describe how DHCP operates. Permanent assignment of addresses does not align with the dynamic nature of DHCP, and fixed-period assignments without the renewal process do not reflect how hosts maintain their connections. Lastly, the concept of negotiation for address allocation is not part of the standard DHCP lease process,