Which description correctly outlines the DHCP four-way process (Discover, Offer, Request, Acknowledgement)?

• A. Client broadcasts Discover to unicast; server replies with Offer; client ignores the Offer and uses Random; server never acknowledges.
• B. Client broadcasts Discover; server responds with Offer; client requests specific proposal with Request; server sends Acknowledgement.
• C. Client broadcasts Request; server replies with Discover; client accepts with Acknowledgement; lease is assigned.
• D. Client broadcasts Acknowledgement; server uses Discover; client sends Offer; lease is created.

Answer: (B)

DHCP assigns network configuration through a four-step handshake: Discover, Offer, Request, Acknowledgement. A client that doesn’t yet have an IP broadcasts a DHCP Discover to locate any DHCP server. A server responds with a DHCPOFFER that includes an available IP and other settings like the subnet mask, gateway, and lease duration. The client picks an offer and sends DHCPREQUEST to indicate it wants to use that offered IP from a specific server. The chosen server replies with DHCPACK to confirm the lease, finalizing the assignment of the IP and parameters. The other options misstate the flow—for example, Discover isn’t sent as a unicast in this context, skipping the Offer or ignoring it breaks the process, the order is reversed in the third choice, and the fourth choice mixes up the message sequence.