A field technician connects a desktop computer to a newly activated network drop in an office annex. The organization uses a centralized DHCP server located on the core network segment, while the annex operates on a newly created VLAN. When executing `ipconfig /all`, the workstation reports an IP address of with a subnet mask of . Physical cabling and link indicators are confirmed operational. Which of the following best explains why the workstation has this specific IP address configuration?
- The client computer was unable to contact a DHCP server to acquire a dynamic lease, causing the operating system to self-assign an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address.Answer
- BThe local DNS server failed to resolve the computer's hostname, causing the server to assign a fallback diagnostic IP address.
- CThe centralized DHCP server successfully leased a designated private scope reserved specifically for high-priority network drops.
- DThe Layer 2 network switch needs its internal routing table updated to translate the link-local address into a routable IPv4 address.
Answer
The client computer was unable to contact a DHCP server to acquire a dynamic lease, causing the operating system to self-assign an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address.
When a client configured for dynamic IP assignment fails to contact a DHCP server, Windows automatically assigns an APIPA address from the range. In this scenario, placing the host on a new VLAN without a configured DHCP relay agent prevents DHCP requests from reaching the central DHCP server.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
APIPA (Automatic Private IP Addressing) identification and DHCP failure causes