What kind of address is assigned when a workstation cannot obtain an IP from DHCP and defaults to an APIPA?

When a workstation fails to obtain an IP address from a DHCP server, it defaults to an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address, which is classified as a link-local IP address. This type of address falls within the range of 169.254.0.1 to 169.254.255.254. Link-local addresses are intended for local communication within a network segment and are not routable on external networks.

The primary purpose of APIPA is to allow devices on the same local network to communicate with each other when no DHCP server is available to provide them with a proper configuration. By automatically assigning itself a link-local address, a device can still connect and communicate with others on the same subnet without requiring any manual configuration or a functioning DHCP server.

This concept is important because it maintains network connectivity in scenarios where an organization might have temporary network outages or DHCP server issues, ensuring basic functionality within local networks.

In contrast, static IP addresses are manually configured and would not be used in this situation. Private IP addresses are generally used for internal networks and are not automatically assigned; they are explicitly configured. Public IP addresses are assigned by an Internet Service Provider for use on the Internet, which is not applicable in the context of a workstation default