Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A host can reach other devices on its local subnet, but it cannot reach remote networks. The host has a valid IP address and subnet mask. Which missing item is the strongest suspect?
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
Best answer
Default gateway information
This is correct because the host needs a next hop for off-subnet traffic.
B
Distractor review
STP priority information
This is wrong because end hosts do not need spanning-tree priority information to route traffic.
C
Distractor review
A voice VLAN setting
This is wrong because the symptom points to missing Layer 3 next-hop information, not voice access configuration.
D
Distractor review
An OSPF process ID
This is wrong because hosts do not need an OSPF process ID.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common exam trap is selecting options related to routing protocols like OSPF or Layer 2 technologies such as STP or VLANs when the issue is actually a missing default gateway. Candidates might incorrectly assume that the host needs an OSPF process ID or STP priority to reach remote networks. However, hosts do not run routing protocols and do not participate in STP decisions. The real problem is the absence of default gateway information, which prevents the host from forwarding packets beyond its local subnet. Misunderstanding this leads to incorrect answers that focus on advanced protocols rather than basic IP configuration.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
A default gateway is a crucial IP configuration parameter that allows a host to communicate with devices outside its local subnet. When a host sends a packet destined for a remote network, it forwards the packet to the default gateway, which is typically a router interface connected to the local subnet. The router then routes the packet toward its destination. Without a default gateway, the host can only communicate with devices on the same subnet because it lacks the next-hop information needed for off-subnet traffic. In Cisco networking and the CCNA context, the host’s IP address and subnet mask define its local subnet boundaries. The default gateway IP address must be within the same subnet to be reachable. When a host attempts to send traffic to an IP address outside its subnet, it uses the default gateway as the next hop. If the default gateway is missing or misconfigured, the host cannot forward packets to remote networks, causing connectivity failures beyond the local subnet. A common exam trap is confusing local connectivity issues with routing protocol configurations such as OSPF or Layer 2 settings like STP or VLANs. Although these protocols and settings are important in network design, they do not affect a host’s ability to forward traffic off-subnet. The practical behavior is that local communication works fine, but remote communication fails due to the absence of a default gateway, which is a fundamental IP service configuration for hosts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- A host uses the default gateway IP address to forward packets destined for remote networks outside its local subnet.
- The IP address and subnet mask define the local subnet boundaries that determine whether traffic is local or requires routing.
- Without a default gateway, a host cannot send traffic to devices outside its subnet, causing remote connectivity failures.
- Routing protocols like OSPF are not required on end hosts because hosts rely on static default gateway configuration for off-subnet traffic.
- Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) priority information is irrelevant to host IP routing and does not affect default gateway functionality.
- Voice VLAN settings only affect Layer 2 segmentation and do not influence a host’s ability to route traffic to remote networks.
- The default gateway IP must be reachable within the host’s subnet to enable proper forwarding of off-subnet packets.
- Hosts rely on the default gateway as their next hop for any destination IP address outside their subnet, making it essential for IP services.
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.
Related practice questions
Related 200-301 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
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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 host uses the default gateway IP address to forward packets destined for remote networks outside its local subnet.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Default gateway information — The strongest suspect is a missing default gateway. In practical terms, the host can still identify and reach local addresses because it has its own IP and subnet mask. But without a default gateway, it has no next hop for destinations outside the local subnet. That is why local communication works while remote communication fails. This is one of the most common host-configuration troubleshooting patterns on the exam and in real networks.
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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