Question

Difficulty: MediumDHCP Server, Client, and Relay Agent Operation and Configuration

A network engineer is configuring a Cisco IOS router to relay DHCP requests from hosts on VLAN 50 (192.168.50.0/24192.168.50.0/24) to a centralized DHCP server with the IP address 10.10.10.510.10.10.5 located on VLAN 10. The default gateway for VLAN 50 is configured on subinterface GigabitEthernet 0/0/0.50.

Which two statements accurately describe the required configuration and behavior of the DHCP relay agent in this scenario? (Select TWO.)

  1. The `ip helper-address 10.10.10.5` command must be configured under subinterface GigabitEthernet 0/0/0.50.Answer
  2. The router converts incoming client DHCP DISCOVER broadcast packets into unicast UDP packets directed to 10.10.10.5.Answer
  3. C
    The `ip helper-address 10.10.10.5` command must be configured on the router interface connected directly to the DHCP server subnet.
  4. D
    The router floods incoming client DHCP DISCOVER packets out all active trunk ports as Layer 2 broadcast frames.

Answer

The helper address command must be applied on subinterface GigabitEthernet 0/0/0.50, and the router converts incoming client broadcast packets into unicast UDP packets directed to the DHCP server IP address.
DHCP relay agents must be configured on the client-facing gateway interface that receives client broadcast messages. When a client broadcasts a DHCP DISCOVER message, the router intercepts it on subinterface GigabitEthernet 0/0/0.50, populates the Gateway IP Address (giaddr) field with its own interface IP address, and unicasts the frame to the specified DHCP server IP address (10.10.10.5).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the ingress interface receiving client broadcasts
Client hosts reside on VLAN 50, which connects to the router via subinterface GigabitEthernet 0/0/0.50.
DHCP broadcast messages arrive on the gateway interface for that subnet.
2
Apply the IP helper address configuration
The command `ip helper-address 10.10.10.5` is placed directly under subinterface GigabitEthernet 0/0/0.50.
This instructs the router interface to listen for incoming IPv4 UDP broadcasts (including ports 67/68 for DHCP) and forward them.
3
Analyze relay agent packet rewriting mechanism
The router populates the `giaddr` field with its subinterface IP address and unicasts the packet to 10.10.10.510.10.10.5 using UDP port 67.
Routers do not forward Layer 2 broadcasts; they convert the payload to a unicast packet to cross network boundaries.

Key Concept

DHCP Relay Agent Interface Binding and Broadcast-to-Unicast Forwarding Mechanics
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