In a Transparent/Split configuration, how does the Sophos Firewall obtain its IP address?

In a Transparent/Split configuration, the Sophos Firewall operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model, allowing it to intercept and manage traffic without modifying the IP addresses of the devices on the network. In this setup, the firewall does not have a traditional routing role but instead functions more like a bridge, relaying packets between different network segments.

When the firewall is configured in this mode, it typically relies on a DHCP server within the network for acquiring its IP address. This process simplifies network management, as IP addresses can be dynamically assigned and managed without the need for manually configuring each device. As a result, the firewall can receive an IP address, subnet mask, and other network-related details directly from the DHCP server, simplifying the implementation and reducing the risk of configuration errors.

Options discussing static IP assignment or manual configuration may not align with the operational characteristic of a Transparent/Split configuration, where flexibility and ease of management using a DHCP server is a primary advantage. Moreover, obtaining an IP from a DNS server is not applicable, as DNS is used for hostname resolution and does not assign IP addresses to devices on the network. Thus, the reliance on a DHCP server in this context is the most accurate approach to how the