CCNA Network Infrastructure and Connectivity Practice Question
A host address is 192.168.14.222/28. Which address is the broadcast address of its subnet?
⚠ Common exam trap
Be careful not to confuse the broadcast address with the network address of the next subnet or a host address within the subnet.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
192.168.14.223
A /28 subnet has a block size of 16. In practical terms, the fourth-octet blocks are 0-15, 16-31, and so on. Because 222 falls within the 208-223 block, the broadcast address is the last address in that block: 192.168.14.223. This is a subnet-boundary question that depends on identifying the correct /28 block before choosing the broadcast address.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
192.168.14.207
Why it's wrong here
The /28 block immediately preceding 208 is 192 through 207, making 192.168.14.207 that subnet's broadcast address. A directed broadcast with all host bits set to 1 cannot be assigned to a host, and it lies outside the 208–223 range that contains .222. Therefore it is wrong.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question asked for the broadcast address of a different subnet, such as 192.168.14.192/28, then option A (192.168.14.207) would be correct, as it would be the broadcast address for that specific subnet.
- ✓
192.168.14.223
Why this is correct
With /28, the host portion occupies only the last 4 bits, so the usable range for the subnet containing .222 is 192.168.14.208 through 192.168.14.223. Setting all host bits to 1 yields the broadcast address 192.168.14.223, which is the directed broadcast for the /28 subnet that includes .222. This makes .223 the correct answer.
- ✗
192.168.14.208
Why it's wrong here
The /28 prefix length creates subnets in blocks of 16 addresses. Since 222 falls between 208 and 223, the network address for this block is 192.168.14.208, not a usable host address. That first address is reserved to identify the subnet itself, so it is incorrect.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question specified a subnet mask of /29 instead of /28, and the host address was 192.168.14.208, then option C would be the correct answer as the broadcast address would be 192.168.14.215 for that subnet.
- ✗
192.168.14.224
Why it's wrong here
Subnets with a /28 mask advance by 16 in the fourth octet, so the block after .208 is .224 through .239. The address 192.168.14.224 is therefore the network ID of the next /28 subnet, not a broadcast or host address in the subnet containing .222. Because .222 is in the prior block, .224 is incorrect.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question specified a subnet mask of /27 instead of /28, the address 192.168.14.224 would be the broadcast address for the subnet 192.168.14.192/27, which encompasses the range from 192.168.14.192 to 192.168.14.224.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
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.
✓192.168.14.223Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
With /28, the host portion occupies only the last 4 bits, so the usable range for the subnet containing .222 is 192.168.14.208 through 192.168.14.223. Setting all host bits to 1 yields the broadcast address 192.168.14.223, which is the directed broadcast for the /28 subnet that includes .222. This makes .223 the correct answer.
✗192.168.14.207Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
192.168.14.207 is the broadcast address of the previous /28 subnet (192.168.14.192/28), not the subnet containing 192.168.14.222.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question asked for the broadcast address of a different subnet, such as 192.168.14.192/28, then option A (192.168.14.207) would be correct, as it would be the broadcast address for that specific subnet.
Why candidates choose this
A student might miscalculate the subnet boundaries or confuse the broadcast address with that of an adjacent subnet.
✗192.168.14.208Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
192.168.14.208 is the network address (subnet ID) of the /28 subnet containing .222, not the broadcast address.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question specified a subnet mask of /29 instead of /28, and the host address was 192.168.14.208, then option C would be the correct answer as the broadcast address would be 192.168.14.215 for that subnet.
Why candidates choose this
Students often confuse the network address with the broadcast address, especially when they know the subnet starts at .208.
✗192.168.14.224Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
192.168.14.224 is the network address of the next /28 subnet (192.168.14.224/28), not the broadcast of the current subnet.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question specified a subnet mask of /27 instead of /28, the address 192.168.14.224 would be the broadcast address for the subnet 192.168.14.192/27, which encompasses the range from 192.168.14.192 to 192.168.14.224.
Why candidates choose this
A student might incorrectly add the block size (16) to the host address or think the broadcast is the next network address.
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?”
Visual reference
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
IPv4 Addressing and Address Classes
Key term
Block size
Block size is the amount of data, measured in bytes, that a system reads or writes in a single operation, affecting storage efficiency and network performance.
Key term
Subnet
A subnet is a logical subdivision of an IP network, created by partitioning a larger network address space using subnet masks.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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