Which DHCP messages are blocked by DHCP snooping on untrusted switch ports?

The correct choice pertains to the messages that the DHCP snooping feature intercepts to reinforce network security. Specifically, DHCP snooping is designed to protect the network from potentially harmful DHCP server responses that could come through untrusted ports on a switch. When DHCP snooping is enabled, it operates by allowing only DHCP messages that originate from trusted ports, effectively blocking any unsolicited DHCP messages that might pose a risk.

In this context, the Offer and Acknowledgements messages are typically sent from the DHCP server to the client as part of the IP address allocation process. By blocking these messages on untrusted switch ports, the network administrator can prevent rogue DHCP servers from providing incorrect IP configurations to clients. This blockade ensures that clients do not connect to unauthorized network configurations that could lead to data interception or other forms of cyber-attacks.

The Discover and Request messages, often originating from clients, are allowed through untrusted ports since they are part of the initial DHCP handshake process initiated by the device looking for an IP configuration. Thus, blocking these messages would disrupt the intended function of DHCP altogether. Meanwhile, Release and Acknowledge as well as Inform and Decline messages are not standard DHCP communications associated with the core DHCP transaction process regarding IP address allocation and would not typically be blocked