In a DHCP network, what happens if two devices receive the same IP address?

In a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) network, each device is assigned a unique IP address to facilitate communication over the network. When two devices receive the same IP address, it leads to an IP conflict. This conflict occurs because both devices attempt to use the same address to send and receive data, which disrupts normal network operations.

An IP conflict can result in issues such as poor connectivity, lost data packets, and overall network instability for both devices that are trying to use the same address. The network cannot effectively distinguish between the two devices, leading to confusion in routing the traffic to the correct destination.

Understanding the implications of IP conflicts is crucial for network management and troubleshooting. It emphasizes the importance of proper DHCP configuration and monitoring to avoid such scenarios, ensuring each device on the network has a unique and correct IP address.