Which DHCP message confirms that an IP address has been assigned to a client?

• A. DHCP Discover
• B. DHCP Offer
• C. DHCP Acknowledge
• D. DHCP Request

Answer: (C)

DHCP assigns an IP address through a four-step exchange, and the final confirmation comes with an Acknowledgement from the server. The client begins by broadcasting a Discover to find DHCP servers. Servers reply with an Offer that includes a proposed IP address and configuration parameters. The client then sends a Request to accept one of the offers and indicate it wants to use the provided settings. The server completes the process by sending an Acknowledgement, confirming the IP address has been leased to the client and supplying the final configuration (subnet mask, gateway, DNS, and lease duration). This Acknowledgement is the explicit confirmation that the IP address is assigned and usable.