What kind of addressing does APIPA provide when DHCP fails?

APIPA, which stands for Automatic Private IP Addressing, is a feature used by operating systems like Windows when a device is configured to obtain an IP address automatically via DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) but cannot reach a DHCP server. In this case, the device assigns itself an IP address from a reserved range of addresses, specifically from 169.254.0.1 to 169.254.255.254.

The purpose of APIPA is to allow devices on the same local network to communicate with each other even when there is no DHCP server to provide them with a valid IP address. This self-assigned address enables basic local network functionality, such as file sharing or printer access, among other devices. It is particularly useful in small networks where a DHCP server may not be available or has malfunctioned.

Other options like static IP addressing would require manual configuration, which is not what APIPA does. Dynamic public addressing pertains to addresses assigned by ISPs for internet access, which is outside of what APIPA addresses. Manual private addressing implies a user-configured address, diverging from the automatic nature of APIPA. Hence, the correct answer reflects the fundamental role APIPA plays in networking when DHCP is not operational.