What should be done if a client is not receiving an IP address from the DHCP server?

The most appropriate action when a client is not receiving an IP address from the DHCP server is to check if the DHCP service is running. The DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server is responsible for assigning IP addresses to clients on a network. If this service is not active, clients will be unable to obtain an IP address automatically.

By verifying that the DHCP service is running, you can determine if the issue is related to the server's functionality. If the service is down, clients will need to wait until it is restarted or corrected before they can get an IP address. This approach addresses the root of the problem and helps to avoid unnecessary troubleshooting steps that may not resolve the issue.

Considering other options, rebooting the client machine might temporarily refresh network settings, but it won't solve issues related to the DHCP service being inactive. Changing the network adapter could be a last resort if hardware issues are suspected, but it's not commonly necessary just for a DHCP assignment issue. Assigning a static IP address can provide a workaround, but it doesn't resolve the underlying problem and may lead to conflicts in IP address assignments if many clients are set up this way.