What does a DHCPACK message signify in a DHCP transaction?

In a DHCP transaction, a DHCPACK message signifies that the DHCP server has confirmed that the address lease has been accepted by the server. When a client requests an IP address, it sends a DHCPREQUEST message. The server responds with a DHCPACK message to indicate that the client is allowed to use the offered IP address, effectively completing the lease process. This message includes important details about the lease, such as the IP address assigned, subnet mask, gateway, DNS server information, and lease duration.

The significance of the DHCPACK is that it represents the final step in the dynamic IP address allocation process, ensuring the client can configure its network settings using the information provided by the server. Without a DHCPACK, the client would not have a valid lease and would not be able to communicate effectively on the network, highlighting the critical nature of this message in the DHCP protocol.