Question

A branch router is configured as an IOS DHCP server for VLAN 20 using the network 192.168.20.0/24. Users report that only the first few devices each morning receive addresses, then new clients fail to get an IP. The 'show ip dhcp pool' output shows 'Leased addresses : 250' and 'Total addresses : 253'. The administrator confirms the DHCP scope is correct and the relay is not involved (clients are on the same segment). What is the MOST likely cause of the address shortage?

Accepted Answer

The lease time is set too long, so previously assigned addresses are not being reclaimed before new clients request them

Answer

The 'ip dhcp excluded-address' command was never configured, so the server is handing out the gateway address to clients

Answer

DHCP snooping on the switch is rate-limiting DISCOVER packets and dropping later requests

Answer

Option 82 insertion is corrupting the giaddr field, causing the server to reject requests