This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network infrastructure and connectivity. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. A key principle to apply: a /27 subnet mask divides the IP address space into blocks of 32 addresses, including network and broadcast addresses.. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A host address is 172.31.9.200/27. Which address is the first usable host in that subnet?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
172.31.9.193
This is correct because 172.31.9.192 is the network address and .193 is the first usable host.
172.31.9.192
Why wrong: This is wrong because .192 is the network address of the subnet.
172.31.9.223
Why wrong: This is wrong because .223 is the broadcast address of the subnet.
172.31.9.201
Why wrong: This is wrong because .201 is usable, but not the first usable host.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
172.31.9.193
A /27 subnet has a block size of 32. In practical terms, the relevant last-octet blocks are 0-31, 32-63, 64-95, 96-127, 128-159, 160-191, 192-223, and 224-255. Because 200 falls within the 192-223 block, the network address is 172.31.9.192 and the first usable host is 172.31.9.193. This is a host-range interpretation problem rather than just network-or-broadcast recognition.
Key principle: A /27 subnet mask divides the IP address space into blocks of 32 addresses, including network and broadcast addresses.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
172.31.9.193
Why this is correct
This is correct because 172.31.9.192 is the network address and .193 is the first usable host.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
A /27 subnet mask divides the IP address space into blocks of 32 addresses, including network and broadcast addresses.
172.31.9.192
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because .192 is the network address of the subnet.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question asked for the subnet address instead of the first usable host, option B would be correct. For example, a question could state, 'What is the subnet address for the network 172.31.9.192/27?'
172.31.9.223
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because .223 is the broadcast address of the subnet.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question were to ask for the last usable host address in the subnet 172.31.9.192/27, then option C, 172.31.9.223, would be the correct answer, as it is the highest usable address before the broadcast address.
172.31.9.201
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because .201 is usable, but not the first usable host.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question that asks for the second usable host in the subnet 172.31.9.192/27, option D would be correct, as it would be the second usable address after 172.31.9.193.
Option-by-option analysis
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 200-301 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
Why this is correct
This is correct because 172.31.9.192 is the network address and .193 is the first usable host.
Why this is wrong here
172.31.9.192 is the network address of the subnet, which is reserved and cannot be assigned to any host. In IPv4, the network address is used to identify the subnet itself, not as a host address.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question asked for the subnet address instead of the first usable host, option B would be correct. For example, a question could state, 'What is the subnet address for the network 172.31.9.192/27?'
Why candidates choose this
Students often confuse the network address with the first usable host because they are numerically close. They may think that since .192 is the start of the range, it can be used, but it is actually the subnet identifier.
Why this is wrong here
172.31.9.223 is the broadcast address of the subnet, which is reserved for sending traffic to all hosts in the subnet. It cannot be assigned to a host.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question were to ask for the last usable host address in the subnet 172.31.9.192/27, then option C, 172.31.9.223, would be the correct answer, as it is the highest usable address before the broadcast address.
Why candidates choose this
Students may mistakenly think that the last address in the range is usable, but it is actually the broadcast address. They might also confuse it with the last usable host, which is .222.
Why this is wrong here
172.31.9.201 is a valid host address in the subnet, but it is not the first usable host. The first usable host is .193, which comes after the network address .192.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question that asks for the second usable host in the subnet 172.31.9.192/27, option D would be correct, as it would be the second usable address after 172.31.9.193.
Why candidates choose this
Students might calculate the subnet incorrectly or think that .201 is the first because it is close to the given host address .200. They may not realize that the subnet starts at .192.
Analysis generated from the official 200-301blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
Be careful not to confuse the network address with the first usable host address.
Detailed technical explanation
Subnetting is a fundamental concept in IP networking that divides a larger network into smaller, manageable subnetworks. A /27 subnet mask corresponds to 255.255.255.224, which means 27 bits are used for the network portion and 5 bits for host addresses. This results in 32 IP addresses per subnet block, including network and broadcast addresses, leaving 30 usable host addresses. The block size of 32 is derived from the last octet's subnet mask bits, which define the range of IP addresses within each subnet. To determine the first usable host address in a /27 subnet, you first identify the network address by zeroing out the host bits. For the IP 172.31.9.200/27, the subnet block containing 200 is 192-223. The network address is 172.31.9.192, and the broadcast address is 172.31.9.223. The first usable host is the network address plus one, which is 172.31.9.193. This process is essential for correctly assigning IP addresses and avoiding conflicts in Cisco networks. A common exam trap is confusing the network address with the first usable host address. Candidates often mistake the network address (172.31.9.192) as a valid host IP, which it is not. Understanding the role of network and broadcast addresses in subnetting helps avoid this error. Practically, Cisco devices use this logic to route traffic correctly and prevent IP conflicts, making precise subnet calculations critical for network design and troubleshooting.
Key takeaway
A /27 subnet mask divides the IP address space into blocks of 32 addresses, including network and broadcast addresses.
Real-world example
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
What to study next
Review a /27 subnet mask divides the IP address space into blocks of 32 addresses, including network and broadcast addresses., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — This question tests Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — A /27 subnet mask divides the IP address space into blocks of 32 addresses, including network and broadcast addresses..
The correct answer is: 172.31.9.193 — A /27 subnet has a block size of 32. In practical terms, the relevant last-octet blocks are 0-31, 32-63, 64-95, 96-127, 128-159, 160-191, 192-223, and 224-255. Because 200 falls within the 192-223 block, the network address is 172.31.9.192 and the first usable host is 172.31.9.193. This is a host-range interpretation problem rather than just network-or-broadcast recognition.
Review a /27 subnet mask divides the IP address space into blocks of 32 addresses, including network and broadcast addresses., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
A /27 subnet mask divides the IP address space into blocks of 32 addresses, including network and broadcast addresses.
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Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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