Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A host with address 192.168.1.130/26 needs to identify its local subnet. Which subnet does it belong to?
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
Distractor review
192.168.1.0/26
This is wrong because the 0/26 subnet covers addresses 0 through 63, which does not include 130.
B
Distractor review
192.168.1.64/26
This is wrong because the 64/26 subnet covers 64 through 127, which also does not include 130.
C
Best answer
192.168.1.128/26
This is correct because 130 falls within the 128 through 191 range of the 192.168.1.128/26 subnet.
D
Distractor review
192.168.1.192/26
This is wrong because the 192/26 subnet begins at 192 and covers 192 through 255.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common exam trap is misidentifying the subnet by confusing the subnet mask with the IP address or by not correctly calculating the subnet block size. Many candidates incorrectly assume the subnet 192.168.1.0/26 includes addresses beyond 63 or fail to recognize that a /26 mask divides the address space into 64-address blocks. This leads to selecting an incorrect subnet, such as 192.168.1.64/26 or 192.168.1.0/26, which do not contain the host IP 192.168.1.130. Understanding how subnet masks segment IP ranges is critical to avoid this mistake.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Subnetting is a fundamental concept in IP networking that divides a larger network into smaller, manageable segments called subnets. Each subnet is defined by a subnet mask, which determines the number of bits used for the network portion and the host portion of an IP address. In the case of a /26 mask, 26 bits are allocated for the network, leaving 6 bits for host addresses, which results in subnets containing 64 IP addresses each (2^6 = 64). This segmentation helps improve network performance and security by limiting broadcast domains and organizing IP address allocation. To determine the subnet a host belongs to, you calculate the subnet ranges based on the block size derived from the subnet mask. For a /26 mask, the IP address space is divided into four subnets within the 192.168.1.0 network: 192.168.1.0/26 (0-63), 192.168.1.64/26 (64-127), 192.168.1.128/26 (128-191), and 192.168.1.192/26 (192-255). The host IP 192.168.1.130 falls within the 128-191 range, so it belongs to the 192.168.1.128/26 subnet. This subnetting logic is essential for routing decisions and determining whether traffic is local or requires forwarding to a gateway. A frequent confusion arises when candidates overlook the subnet block size or misinterpret the subnet mask, leading to incorrect subnet identification. In practical Cisco networking, devices use the subnet mask to perform bitwise AND operations with the IP address to find the network address. Miscalculations can cause routing errors or connectivity issues. Understanding the relationship between subnet masks, block sizes, and IP address ranges ensures accurate subnet determination and efficient network design, which is vital for CCNA certification and real-world network management.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- A /26 subnet mask divides the IP address space into blocks of 64 addresses, defining the size of each subnet.
- A host IP address belongs to the subnet whose address range includes the host's IP after applying the subnet mask.
- Subnetting uses bitwise AND operations between the IP address and subnet mask to determine the network address.
- The subnet 192.168.1.128/26 covers IP addresses from 192.168.1.128 to 192.168.1.191, including the host 192.168.1.130.
- Incorrectly identifying subnet boundaries often results from misunderstanding the block size created by the subnet mask.
- Cisco devices use subnet masks to decide if a destination IP is local or requires routing via a default gateway.
- Subnetting improves network efficiency by segmenting broadcast domains and organizing IP address allocation.
- Recognizing subnet increments based on mask length is critical for accurate subnet identification on the CCNA exam.
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 /26 subnet mask divides the IP address space into blocks of 64 addresses, defining the size of each subnet.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 192.168.1.128/26 — A /26 creates subnets in blocks of 64 addresses each. In plain language, that means the fourth octet ranges are 0–63, 64–127, 128–191, and 192–255. Since 192.168.1.130 falls within the 128–191 block, the host belongs to the 192.168.1.128/26 subnet. That is the local network boundary the host will use to decide what is on-link and what requires the default gateway. This kind of question is a very common CCNA subnetting task. The main challenge is not the arithmetic itself but recognizing the block size and locating the destination inside the correct range. Once you know a /26 moves in increments of 64, the right subnet becomes much easier to see.
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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