What is the correct order of the DHCP handshake messages?

What is the correct order of the DHCP handshake messages?

• A. DHCP DISCOVER, DHCP OFFER, DHCP REQUEST, DHCP ACK
• B. DHCP OFFER, DHCP DISCOVER, DHCP REQUEST, DHCP ACK
• C. DHCP DISCOVER, DHCP REQUEST, DHCP OFFER, DHCP ACK
• D. DHCP REQUEST, DHCP DISCOVER, DHCP OFFER, DHCP ACK

Answer: (A)

The process starts with the client looking for a DHCP server by broadcasting a DHCPDISCOVER. Servers that can offer a lease respond with DHCPDPOFFER messages, presenting an IP address and other network details. The client then selects one of the offers and sends a DHCPREQUEST to indicate it will accept that particular address (and to inform other servers which offer was chosen). Finally, the chosen server replies with DHCPACK to confirm the lease and provide the final configuration. This order makes sense because an offer can only come after discovery, a request can only come after an offer (to specify which one is being accepted), and the acknowledgment confirms and finalizes the assignment. So the correct sequence is DHCP DISCOVER, DHCP OFFER, DHCP REQUEST, DHCP ACK.

The process starts with the client looking for a DHCP server by broadcasting a DHCPDISCOVER. Servers that can offer a lease respond with DHCPDPOFFER messages, presenting an IP address and other network details. The client then selects one of the offers and sends a DHCPREQUEST to indicate it will accept that particular address (and to inform other servers which offer was chosen). Finally, the chosen server replies with DHCPACK to confirm the lease and provide the final configuration. This order makes sense because an offer can only come after discovery, a request can only come after an offer (to specify which one is being accepted), and the acknowledgment confirms and finalizes the assignment. So the correct sequence is DHCP DISCOVER, DHCP OFFER, DHCP REQUEST, DHCP ACK.