dhcp stopped providing IP addresses was because somebody connected the ends of a network cable into two live ports

[android curtis]

Net Admin said segment was broken when the two ends of a network cable were plugged into two different live ports. Is this baloney or true?

 

[abailey]

This is most likely true (if the 2 ports can "see each other", meaning they are on the same VLAN or are being routed). When you plug both ends of a network cable into a switch like that you cause a network loop. Usually this results in a switch shutting down the last port you connected, but sometimes other things can happen that cause real problems. Though I have never seen it cause a DHCP to stop providing addresses.