The IP address __________ is used by hosts when they are being booted.
2017
The IP address __________ is used by hosts when they are being booted.
- A.
0.0.0.0
- B.
1.0.0.0
- C.
1.1.1.1
- D.
255.255.255.255
Attempted by 462 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Answer: 0.0.0.0 (unspecified address)
Explanation: 0.0.0.0 is the IPv4 unspecified address. A host that does not yet have an assigned IP address uses 0.0.0.0 as its source address when initiating network configuration, for example when sending a DHCPDISCOVER message during the boot process.
Why it is used during boot: DHCP clients send discovery packets with source 0.0.0.0 because they have no configured address yet; the DHCP server responds and assigns an address.
Why the other choices are incorrect: 255.255.255.255 is a limited broadcast destination, not an unspecified source; 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.0 are routable public addresses and are not used as the unspecified boot address.
Key point: Use 0.0.0.0 to indicate "this host has no assigned address yet" until configuration (e.g., via DHCP) completes.