CompTIA Network+ Practice Test 2025 - Free Network+ Practice Questions and Exam Prep Guide

The characteristic that distinguishes BOOTP from DHCP is that BOOTP requires manual configuration. BOOTP, which stands for Bootstrap Protocol, was originally designed to automate the IP address configuration process but relies on a pre-configured table of MAC addresses and corresponding static IP addresses. Each device must be manually configured in the server's database, which can be a cumbersome process.

In contrast, DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) allows for dynamic assignment of IP addresses where new devices can automatically receive an IP address from a pool of available addresses without the need for pre-existing configuration. This dynamic capability is a significant enhancement over BOOTP, which lacks this feature.

The other options do not accurately describe the fundamental distinction. While both protocols do provide automatic IP configuration for clients, it is DHCP that does this in a dynamic manner. BOOTP does not support IPv6 addresses, as it was developed before IPv6 was introduced, and it does not allow for truly dynamic IP address assignment, unlike DHCP.