When connectivity issues arise after a new DHCP server is added, what is the likely cause?

When connectivity issues arise after the addition of a new DHCP server, one likely cause is that the DHCP relay agent was not configured on the adjacent network segment. A DHCP relay agent serves as an intermediary between clients on different network segments and the DHCP server, which typically resides on a different subnet.

If the relay agent is not properly configured, DHCP broadcasts sent by clients on one segment will not reach the DHCP server located on another segment. Consequently, clients will be unable to acquire their IP configurations, leading to connectivity failure. This situation emphasizes the importance of correct relay agent setup to ensure that DHCP messages can traverse multiple network segments, allowing clients to receive their necessary IP address and network settings.

While having a WINS or a DNS server specified can influence network functionality, they are not primary factors in the initial provisioning of IP addresses. Furthermore, using private IP addressing is a common practice and does not inherently cause connectivity issues as long as the addressing scheme is correctly implemented within the network environment.