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: the subnet mask 255.255.255.192 corresponds to a /26 prefix, which allocates 6 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 the subnet mask 255.255.255.192. How many usable host addresses exist in each subnet?
30
Why wrong: This is wrong because 30 usable hosts corresponds to /27.
62
This is correct because /26 yields 64 total addresses and 62 usable hosts.
126
Why wrong: This is wrong because 126 usable hosts corresponds to /25.
254
Why wrong: This is wrong because 254 usable hosts corresponds to /24.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
62
The mask 255.255.255.192 corresponds to /26. That leaves 6 host bits, which means each subnet contains 64 total addresses. After excluding the network and broadcast addresses, 62 usable host addresses remain. This is a standard host-capacity question. The safest approach is to convert the mask to the prefix, determine the total addresses from the number of host bits, and then subtract the two reserved addresses.
Key principle: The subnet mask 255.255.255.192 corresponds to a /26 prefix, which allocates 6 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.
30
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because 30 usable hosts corresponds to /27.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question specified a subnet mask of 255.255.255.224 instead, which allows for 30 usable host addresses, then option A would be the correct answer. This would change the total number of addresses available in the subnet.
62
Why this is correct
This is correct because /26 yields 64 total addresses and 62 usable hosts.
Related concept
The subnet mask 255.255.255.192 corresponds to a /26 prefix, which allocates 6 bits for host addressing within each subnet.
126
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because 126 usable hosts corresponds to /25.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question asked about a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, which allows for 256 total addresses, then option C would be correct, as it would provide 254 usable addresses (256 total minus 2).
254
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because 254 usable hosts corresponds to /24.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question were modified to ask about a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, which allows for 256 total addresses and 254 usable addresses after accounting for the network and broadcast addresses, then option D would be correct.
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 /26 yields 64 total addresses and 62 usable hosts.
Why this is wrong here
The subnet mask 255.255.255.192 is /26, which provides 64 total addresses per subnet. Subtracting the network and broadcast addresses leaves 62 usable hosts, not 30. 30 usable hosts corresponds to a /27 subnet mask (255.255.255.224).
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question specified a subnet mask of 255.255.255.224 instead, which allows for 30 usable host addresses, then option A would be the correct answer. This would change the total number of addresses available in the subnet.
Why candidates choose this
Students often confuse the number of bits borrowed; a /27 mask (255.255.255.224) yields 30 usable hosts, and they might mistakenly apply that to a /26 mask.
Why this is wrong here
126 usable hosts would require a /25 subnet mask (255.255.255.128), which provides 128 total addresses. The given mask /26 provides only 64 total addresses, so 126 is incorrect.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question asked about a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, which allows for 256 total addresses, then option C would be correct, as it would provide 254 usable addresses (256 total minus 2).
Why candidates choose this
Students may misremember the host counts for /25 and /26, or incorrectly calculate the number of hosts by forgetting to subtract the network and broadcast addresses.
Why this is wrong here
254 usable hosts corresponds to a /24 subnet mask (255.255.255.0), which provides 256 total addresses. The mask 255.255.255.192 is /26, which is two bits longer, resulting in only 64 total addresses.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question were modified to ask about a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, which allows for 256 total addresses and 254 usable addresses after accounting for the network and broadcast addresses, then option D would be correct.
Why candidates choose this
A common mistake is to assume that any subnet mask with 255 in the first three octets yields 254 hosts, but the fourth octet's value determines the actual host count.
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 total addresses with usable addresses; always subtract the network and broadcast addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
Subnetting is a fundamental concept in IP networking that divides a larger network into smaller, manageable subnetworks. The subnet mask 255.255.255.192 corresponds to a /26 prefix length, meaning the first 26 bits are fixed for network identification and the remaining 6 bits are available for host addressing. This mask splits the IP address space into subnets, each with 64 total addresses. To calculate usable host addresses in a subnet, subtract the network address and broadcast address from the total addresses. For a /26 subnet, 2^6 equals 64 total addresses. Removing the 2 reserved addresses leaves 62 usable host addresses per subnet. This calculation is essential for designing IP schemes that efficiently allocate address space without waste. A common exam trap is confusing the subnet mask with similar masks like /27 or /25, which yield different host counts. In practice, Cisco devices use this subnetting logic to route traffic correctly and assign IPs. Understanding the exact host capacity per subnet ensures proper network segmentation and avoids address conflicts or shortages.
Key takeaway
The subnet mask 255.255.255.192 corresponds to a /26 prefix, which allocates 6 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 the subnet mask 255.255.255.192 corresponds to a /26 prefix, which allocates 6 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 — The subnet mask 255.255.255.192 corresponds to a /26 prefix, which allocates 6 bits for host addressing within each subnet..
The correct answer is: 62 — The mask 255.255.255.192 corresponds to /26. That leaves 6 host bits, which means each subnet contains 64 total addresses. After excluding the network and broadcast addresses, 62 usable host addresses remain. This is a standard host-capacity question. The safest approach is to convert the mask to the prefix, determine the total addresses from the number of host bits, and then subtract the two reserved addresses.
Review the subnet mask 255.255.255.192 corresponds to a /26 prefix, which allocates 6 bits for host addressing within each subnet., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
The subnet mask 255.255.255.192 corresponds to a /26 prefix, which allocates 6 bits for host addressing within each subnet.
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Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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