Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Practice Exam

In the DHCP configuration, what is the role of the ip helper-address command?

1. It defines the DNS server address

2. It allows clients to receive DHCP services from a remote server

3. It sets the default gateway for the clients

4. It specifies the DHCP pool name

The correct answer is: It allows clients to receive DHCP services from a remote server

The ip helper-address command plays a crucial role in enabling clients on a particular network segment to communicate with a DHCP server located on a different network segment. When a DHCP client broadcasts a request for an IP address, this broadcast does not typically cross routers. The ip helper-address command allows the router to forward these broadcast requests as unicast messages to the specified DHCP server's IP address. This capability is essential in larger network environments where DHCP servers might be centralized and not located on the same subnet as the clients. By configuring the ip helper-address on the router that connects the subnet to the DHCP server, clients can successfully obtain IP addresses and other configuration information required for network connectivity. Thus, the command effectively bridges the gap between clients and remote DHCP servers, ensuring that they can receive appropriate DHCP services regardless of their physical location relative to the server.