Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A host address is 10.10.10.14/29. Which address is the broadcast address for its subnet?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
10.10.10.16
This is wrong because .16 starts the next subnet.
B
Distractor review
10.10.10.7
This is wrong because .7 is the broadcast of the previous /29 block.
C
Best answer
10.10.10.15
This is correct because .14 is in the 8–15 /29 subnet.
D
Distractor review
10.10.10.8
This is wrong because .8 is the network address of the block.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A frequent exam trap is selecting the broadcast address from the wrong subnet block. Candidates often mistake 10.10.10.7 as the broadcast because it ends with a 7, which is the last address in a /29 block. However, since the host IP is 10.10.10.14, it belongs to the 8–15 block, making 10.10.10.15 the correct broadcast. Confusing adjacent subnet boundaries or miscalculating block sizes leads to this error. Remember, the broadcast address is always the highest IP in the subnet range, not just any address ending in 7 or 15.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Subnetting divides an IP network into smaller logical segments called subnets, each with its own network address, broadcast address, and host range. The subnet mask determines the size of each subnet by defining which portion of the IP address is the network and which is the host. A /29 subnet mask means 29 bits are fixed for the network, leaving 3 bits for host addresses, resulting in 8 IP addresses per subnet (2^3 = 8). These 8 addresses include the network address, broadcast address, and usable host addresses. To find the broadcast address for a /29 subnet, first identify the block size, which is 8 addresses. The subnet ranges increment by 8 in the last octet (e.g., 0–7, 8–15, 16–23). The broadcast address is always the last IP in the subnet block. Since the host IP 10.10.10.14 falls within the 8–15 range, the broadcast address is 10.10.10.15. This method applies consistently across all /29 subnets. A common exam trap is confusing the broadcast address with the network address or the broadcast of an adjacent subnet. For example, 10.10.10.7 is the broadcast for the previous subnet (0–7), not the one containing 10.10.10.14. Understanding the block size and correctly identifying the subnet range prevents this mistake. In practical Cisco networking, correctly identifying broadcast addresses is crucial for configuring ACLs, DHCP scopes, and troubleshooting network issues.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- A /29 subnet mask allocates 29 bits for the network and 3 bits for hosts, resulting in 8 IP addresses per subnet block.
- The block size for a /29 subnet is 8, which determines the range of IP addresses in each subnet incrementing by 8 in the last octet.
- The broadcast address is the highest IP address within the subnet block and is used to send packets to all hosts in that subnet.
- To find the broadcast address, identify the subnet block containing the host IP and select the last IP address in that block.
- The network address is the first IP in the subnet block and cannot be assigned to hosts.
- Incorrectly choosing the broadcast address from an adjacent subnet block is a common exam trap in subnetting questions.
- Cisco devices use the broadcast address to deliver broadcast traffic within a subnet, making correct identification essential for network operations.
- Subnetting skills are fundamental for configuring ACLs, DHCP pools, and routing in Cisco networks, requiring precise calculation of network and broadcast addresses.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A router learns the same prefix from both OSPF and EIGRP. Which route is installed by default?
Question 2
A router shows this output: R1#show ip ospf neighbor Neighbor ID Pri State Dead Time Address Interface 10.1.1.2 1 FULL/DR 00:00:34 192.168.12.2 GigabitEthernet0/0 10.1.1.3 1 2WAY/DROTHER 00:00:39 192.168.12.3 GigabitEthernet0/0 Which statement is correct?
Question 3
What is the OSPF metric called?
Question 4
A non-root switch has two uplinks toward the root bridge. One path has a lower total STP cost than the other. What role will the lower-cost uplink have?
Question 5
A router interface applies this ACL inbound: 10 deny tcp any any eq 80 20 permit ip any any A user reports that web browsing to a server by IP address fails, but ping works. Which statement best explains the behavior?
Question 6
A router learns route 198.51.100.0/24 from OSPF with AD 110 and also has a static route to the same prefix configured with AD 150. Which route is installed?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
A /29 subnet mask allocates 29 bits for the network and 3 bits for hosts, resulting in 8 IP addresses per subnet block.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 10.10.10.15 — A /29 subnet has a block size of 8. In practical terms, the fourth-octet ranges are 0–7, 8–15, 16–23, and so on. Since 14 falls in the 8–15 block, the broadcast address is the last address in that block, which is 10.10.10.15. This is a classic subnetting question that checks whether you can find the block first and then identify the final address in that block.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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