Setting the Default Gateway in a DHCP Pool

Configure and verify DHCP client and relay
Answer Correct answer: C — Inside the NOCC pool, 'default-router 192.168.20.253' sets the next-to-last usable IP (.253) as the gateway offered to clients.

A DHCP pool has been created with the name NOCC. The pool is using 192.168.20.0/24 and must use the next to last usable IP address as the default gateway for the DHCP clients. What is the next step in the process?

  1. next-server 192.168.20.254
  2. network 192.168.20.254 255.255.255.0 secondary
  3. default-router 192.168.20.253 Correct Answer
  4. ip default-gateway 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.168.20.253

Community Votes

C
100%

100% of anonymous learners picked answer C. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.

Community Insight

default-router (not ip default-gateway or next-server) is the DHCP pool command for the client gateway; next-to-last usable of /24 = .253.

For 192.168.20.0/24 the last usable host is .254 and the next-to-last is .253. The DHCP pool command that pushes the default gateway to clients is 'default-router <ip>'. 'next-server' sets the TFTP boot server, not the gateway.

Using next-server (TFTP) or the IOS 'ip default-gateway' (for the router itself, not DHCP clients). The usable-range math also trips people: next-to-last = .253, not .254.

Community Discussion (5 comments)

bezkin 👍 1 Selected: C
default-router adds the default gateway to dhcp leases sent to clients
[Removed] 👍 1 Selected: C
C is correct the next to last usable IP address is192.168.20.253
Rolfer 👍 3 Selected: C
In this case only "default-router" command is correct, so dont waste ur time in the exam and go to the next question.
ladarius01 👍 4
192.168.20.0/24 broadcast = 192.168.20.255 last usable IP = 192.168.20.254 next to last usable IP = 192.168.20.253 command for default gateway = default-router
ricky1802 👍 1 Selected: C
ip dhcp pool NOCC network 192.168.20.0 255.255.255.0 default-router 192.168.20.253

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Expert Analysis

Why the Answer Is Correct

C is correct. Within the DHCP pool, 'default-router 192.168.20.253' is the command that assigns the client default gateway. For the 192.168.20.0/24 subnet,.254 is the last usable and.253 is the next-to-last usable host, matching the requirement.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

A (next-server) sets the TFTP boot server, not the gateway. B (network... secondary) defines the subnet scope, not the gateway. D (ip default-gateway) configures the router's own gateway, not the address offered to DHCP clients.

Community Comment Notes

The vote is C (100). Commenters compute the range (broadcast.255, last usable.254, next-to-last.253) and note 'default-router' is the correct DHCP command.

Official Reference

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/ccna-exam-topics

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