Cisco Certified Network Professional Practice Test 2025 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

A DHCP snooping untrusted port plays a crucial role in the security framework of a network utilizing Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). The primary purpose of designating a port as untrusted is to enhance network security by controlling which devices can respond to DHCP requests.

In a network where there are potentially malicious devices, only trusted ports, which are typically connected to legitimate DHCP servers, can send DHCP offers and acknowledgments. Untrusted ports, on the other hand, are typically connected to end-user devices that should not be providing DHCP services. By marking these ports as untrusted, the switch prevents any DHCP traffic originating from these ports, thus reducing the risk of rogue DHCP servers distributing incorrect IP addresses or network configurations to clients on the network.

This level of control is critical in preventing a wide array of attacks, such as DHCP spoofing, where an unauthorized device impersonates a legitimate DHCP server. Essentially, untrusted ports act as a barrier, ensuring that only specific, secure devices can manage DHCP traffic within the network.

While other options may hint at certain aspects of network configurations, they do not accurately capture the essence and function of the untrusted port within the framework of DHCP snooping.