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 subnet mask of 255.255.255.224 corresponds to a /27 prefix length, which allocates 5 bits for host addressing within each subnet.. 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 uses subnet mask 255.255.255.224. How many total addresses exist in each subnet block?
16
Why wrong: This is wrong because 16 total addresses corresponds to a /28 subnet.
32
This is correct because /27 yields 32 total addresses per subnet.
30
Why wrong: This is wrong because 30 is the usable host count, not the total address count.
64
Why wrong: This is wrong because 64 total addresses corresponds to a /26 subnet.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
32
The subnet mask 255.255.255.224 (/27) has 5 host bits, so each subnet has 2^5 = 32 total addresses. Option A (16) results from confusing /27 with /28 (4 host bits = 16). Option D (64) results from confusing /27 with /26 (6 host bits = 64). Option C (30) is the number of usable host addresses (32 - 2 = 30), not the total addresses asked for in the question.
Key principle: A subnet mask of 255.255.255.224 corresponds to a /27 prefix length, which allocates 5 bits for host addressing within each subnet.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
16
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because 16 total addresses corresponds to a /28 subnet.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question specified a subnet mask of 255.255.255.240 instead, which corresponds to 28 subnet bits, then the total number of addresses would be 16. This would make option A the correct answer in that context.
32
Why this is correct
This is correct because /27 yields 32 total addresses per subnet.
Related concept
A subnet mask of 255.255.255.224 corresponds to a /27 prefix length, which allocates 5 bits for host addressing within each subnet.
30
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because 30 is the usable host count, not the total address count.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question asked for the number of usable addresses in a subnet with a mask of 255.255.255.224, option C would be correct, as there are 30 usable addresses after accounting for the network and broadcast addresses.
64
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because 64 total addresses corresponds to a /26 subnet.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question, if the subnet mask were 255.255.255.192, which allows for 64 addresses per subnet, option D would be correct. The question would need to specify that subnet mask to align with this answer.
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 /27 yields 32 total addresses per subnet.
Why this is wrong here
This option is wrong because a subnet mask of 255.255.255.224 allows for 32 total addresses per subnet block, not 16. The calculation is based on the formula 2^(32 - subnet bits), where 224 corresponds to 27 subnet bits, yielding 32 addresses.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question specified a subnet mask of 255.255.255.240 instead, which corresponds to 28 subnet bits, then the total number of addresses would be 16. This would make option A the correct answer in that context.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option due to confusion between the number of usable addresses and total addresses, mistakenly recalling that 16 is a common subnet size for smaller networks.
Why this is wrong here
Option C is incorrect because a subnet mask of 255.255.255.224 provides 32 total addresses per subnet block, not 30. The calculation is based on the formula 2^(32 - subnet bits), where 224 corresponds to 27 bits for the network.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question asked for the number of usable addresses in a subnet with a mask of 255.255.255.224, option C would be correct, as there are 30 usable addresses after accounting for the network and broadcast addresses.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option due to confusion between total addresses and usable addresses, leading them to mistakenly calculate the usable addresses instead of the total available in the subnet.
Why this is wrong here
This option is wrong because a subnet mask of 255.255.255.224 provides 32 total addresses per subnet block, not 64. The calculation is based on the formula 2^(32 - subnet bits), where 224 corresponds to 3 bits for hosts.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question, if the subnet mask were 255.255.255.192, which allows for 64 addresses per subnet, option D would be correct. The question would need to specify that subnet mask to align with this answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option due to confusion between the number of usable addresses and total addresses, or they might mistakenly associate larger subnet masks with larger address counts without proper calculation.
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 to distinguish between total addresses and usable addresses. Many candidates automatically think of usable addresses when subnetting.
Detailed technical explanation
Subnetting is a fundamental concept in IP networking that divides a larger network into smaller subnetworks, or subnets, to improve routing efficiency and security. The subnet mask 255.255.255.224 corresponds to a /27 prefix length, meaning the first 27 bits are fixed for network identification and the remaining 5 bits are available for host addressing within each subnet. This allocation directly impacts the total number of addresses available in each subnet block. The total number of addresses in a subnet is calculated as 2 raised to the power of the number of host bits. For a /27 subnet mask, there are 32 total addresses (2^5 = 32). Out of these, 30 addresses are usable for hosts because one address is reserved as the network identifier and another as the broadcast address. Cisco devices and CCNA exam questions often emphasize distinguishing between total addresses and usable host addresses to avoid confusion. A common exam trap is confusing the total number of addresses with the number of usable host addresses. Candidates frequently mistake 30 usable hosts as the total count, leading to incorrect answers. In practical Cisco networking, understanding this distinction is crucial for designing IP schemes and troubleshooting subnet-related issues. The total address count affects subnet planning, while usable hosts determine device capacity within each subnet.
Key takeaway
A subnet mask of 255.255.255.224 corresponds to a /27 prefix length, which allocates 5 bits for host addressing within each subnet.
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 subnet mask of 255.255.255.224 corresponds to a /27 prefix length, which allocates 5 bits for host addressing within each subnet., 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 subnet mask of 255.255.255.224 corresponds to a /27 prefix length, which allocates 5 bits for host addressing within each subnet..
The correct answer is: 32 — The subnet mask 255.255.255.224 (/27) has 5 host bits, so each subnet has 2^5 = 32 total addresses. Option A (16) results from confusing /27 with /28 (4 host bits = 16). Option D (64) results from confusing /27 with /26 (6 host bits = 64). Option C (30) is the number of usable host addresses (32 - 2 = 30), not the total addresses asked for in the question.
Review a subnet mask of 255.255.255.224 corresponds to a /27 prefix length, which allocates 5 bits for host addressing within each subnet., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
A subnet mask of 255.255.255.224 corresponds to a /27 prefix length, which allocates 5 bits for host addressing within each subnet.
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Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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