What action does a client device take to accept an offered IP address?

In the process of obtaining an IP address through the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), the client device first sends out a DHCP Discover message to locate a DHCP server. Once the server receives this message, it responds with a DHCP Offer that includes an available IP address and other network configuration settings.

The next step involves the client device. It takes action by sending a DHCP Request message back to the server. This message indicates that the client has accepted the offered IP address. By sending the Request, the client effectively communicates its intention to use the specific IP address that was offered by the DHCP server.

After this Request, the server will send a DHCP Acknowledge message, confirming the allocation of the IP address to the client. However, since the question specifically asks about the action taken by the client to accept the offered IP address, the correct choice is the Request. It’s essential to understand that this process of negotiation ensures that the client can successfully configure itself to communicate on the network.