What critical step must be undertaken when configuring a new DHCP scope or team on a server?

When configuring a new DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) scope or team on a server, activating and verifying the configuration is a crucial step because it ensures that the DHCP service is operational and correctly delivering IP address information to clients on the network. Activation involves enabling the scope so that it can start assigning addresses, while verification ensures that the scope settings, such as IP address range, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server information, are accurate.

Once the scope is activated, testing the configuration by checking if clients can successfully obtain IP addresses and relevant network configuration settings is essential for confirming that the DHCP server is functioning as intended. This step is fundamental in preventing network connectivity issues that could arise from misconfigurations or failures to activate the service.

Other options may be relevant for overall server management or optimization, but they do not specifically address the steps required for the DHCP scope configuration itself. For instance, monitoring server usage or running performance tests may help manage server health post-configuration but are not part of the activation and initial verification process necessary for DHCP operation. Increasing RAM allocation, while it might help performance in some scenarios, is not directly linked to the critical tasks needed for configuring and validating the DHCP setup.