Answer:
The type of DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) packet that first initiates the IP address request sequence is the DHCPDISCOVER packet.
When a device, such as a computer or network device, connects to a network and needs an IP address, it sends a DHCPDISCOVER packet as a broadcast message. This packet is used to discover DHCP servers available on the network. The DHCPDISCOVER packet essentially asks, "Is there a DHCP server that can assign me an IP address?"
DHCP servers on the network then respond to the DHCPDISCOVER packet with a DHCPOFFER packet, providing an available IP address and additional network configuration information. This begins the IP address request sequence and subsequent DHCP negotiation process.