How can technicians check if a client device is receiving an IP address correctly?

To determine if a client device is receiving an IP address correctly, utilizing the IPCONFIG command in the command prompt is the most effective method. When executed, the IPCONFIG command provides detailed information about the network configuration of the device, including the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway assigned to it.

This command enables technicians to quickly diagnose network settings and verify whether the device has successfully communicated with a DHCP server, if applicable, to obtain its IP address. It also allows them to see if the device is using an automatically assigned IP address (such as a link-local address, which often indicates a failure in receiving an IP from a DHCP server) or a static IP address.

Employing the PING command, while useful for testing connectivity, does not provide any information regarding the device's IP configuration. Similarly, rebooting the device may resolve some issues, but it does not directly show whether the device has acquired an IP address. Checking the network cable connection might identify physical connectivity issues, but it would not confirm the status of IP address assignment. Thus, for verifying IP address acquisition specifically, the IPCONFIG command is the appropriate choice.