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: subnetting divides an IP network into smaller subnets by allocating bits between network and host portions of the address.. 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 subnet must support 14 usable hosts. Which prefix is the smallest that meets the requirement?
/29
Why wrong: This is wrong because a /29 provides only 6 usable host addresses.
/28
This is correct because a /28 provides 16 total addresses and 14 usable hosts.
/27
Why wrong: This is wrong because /27 would work, but it is larger than necessary.
/26
Why wrong: This is wrong because /26 provides far more host addresses than needed.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
/28
To support 14 usable hosts, the subnet must have 16 total addresses, because two are reserved for the network and broadcast addresses. In plain language, you need enough address slots so that after those two reserved entries are removed, 14 remain. A /28 provides exactly that: 16 total addresses and 14 usable addresses. This is a classic minimum-subnet-size question because it tests whether you can work backward from host requirement to prefix length. A /29 would be too small, while a /27 would work but waste more addresses than necessary.
Key principle: Subnetting divides an IP network into smaller subnets by allocating bits between network and host portions of the address.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
/29
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because a /29 provides only 6 usable host addresses.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question asked for a subnet that supports a maximum of 6 usable hosts, then a /29 prefix would be the correct answer, as it allows for exactly 6 usable addresses in that subnet.
/28
Why this is correct
This is correct because a /28 provides 16 total addresses and 14 usable hosts.
Related concept
Subnetting divides an IP network into smaller subnets by allocating bits between network and host portions of the address.
/27
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because /27 would work, but it is larger than necessary.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where the question asks for a subnet that can support at least 30 usable hosts, option C: /27 would be the correct answer, as it provides exactly 30 usable addresses, meeting the new requirement.
/26
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because /26 provides far more host addresses than needed.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question asked for a subnet that supports at least 62 usable hosts, then /26 would be the correct answer, as it provides a sufficient number of addresses for that requirement.
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 a /28 provides 16 total addresses and 14 usable hosts.
Why this is wrong here
A /29 subnet provides only 6 usable host addresses, which is insufficient for the requirement of 14 usable hosts. Therefore, it does not meet the specified criteria.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question asked for a subnet that supports a maximum of 6 usable hosts, then a /29 prefix would be the correct answer, as it allows for exactly 6 usable addresses in that subnet.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may be tempted to choose /29 due to a misunderstanding of subnetting calculations, mistakenly believing that smaller subnets can accommodate more hosts than they actually can.
Why this is wrong here
Option C: /27 provides 30 usable hosts, which exceeds the requirement of 14 usable hosts. However, the question asks for the smallest prefix that meets the requirement, making /28 the correct choice.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where the question asks for a subnet that can support at least 30 usable hosts, option C: /27 would be the correct answer, as it provides exactly 30 usable addresses, meeting the new requirement.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose /27 because they misinterpret the requirement, thinking that a larger subnet is always better, or they may confuse the number of usable addresses with the total number of addresses in the subnet.
Why this is wrong here
Option D: /26 provides 62 usable hosts, which exceeds the requirement of 14 usable hosts. Therefore, it is not the smallest prefix that meets the specified need.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question asked for a subnet that supports at least 62 usable hosts, then /26 would be the correct answer, as it provides a sufficient number of addresses for that requirement.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose /26 thinking that a larger subnet is always better for accommodating future growth, not realizing that the question specifically asks for the smallest prefix that meets the current requirement.
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
Avoid choosing a subnet size that either doesn't meet the host requirement or is unnecessarily large, leading to wasted addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
Subnetting is the process of dividing a larger IP network into smaller, more manageable subnetworks, each with its own range of IP addresses. The subnet mask or prefix length determines how many bits are used for the network portion versus the host portion of the address. In IPv4, the number of host bits directly affects how many usable host addresses a subnet can support, since two addresses are reserved: one for the network identifier and one for the broadcast address. To determine the smallest subnet prefix that supports 14 usable hosts, you calculate the total number of addresses needed by adding 2 reserved addresses to the required hosts, resulting in 16 total addresses. A /28 prefix corresponds to 32 - 28 = 4 host bits, which yields 2^4 = 16 total addresses. This perfectly fits the requirement, providing exactly 14 usable host addresses. Prefixes longer than /28 (like /29) provide fewer host addresses, while shorter prefixes (like /27 or /26) provide more than necessary, leading to inefficient IP address utilization. A common exam trap is to confuse total addresses with usable hosts, leading to selecting a subnet that is too small or unnecessarily large. For example, a /29 subnet provides 8 total addresses but only 6 usable hosts, which is insufficient for 14 hosts. Conversely, choosing a /27 or /26 subnet wastes IP addresses by allocating more hosts than needed. In practical Cisco networking, efficient subnetting conserves IP space and simplifies network management, making /28 the optimal choice for exactly 14 hosts.
Key takeaway
Subnetting divides an IP network into smaller subnets by allocating bits between network and host portions of the address.
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 subnetting divides an IP network into smaller subnets by allocating bits between network and host portions of the address., 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 — Subnetting divides an IP network into smaller subnets by allocating bits between network and host portions of the address..
The correct answer is: /28 — To support 14 usable hosts, the subnet must have 16 total addresses, because two are reserved for the network and broadcast addresses. In plain language, you need enough address slots so that after those two reserved entries are removed, 14 remain. A /28 provides exactly that: 16 total addresses and 14 usable addresses. This is a classic minimum-subnet-size question because it tests whether you can work backward from host requirement to prefix length. A /29 would be too small, while a /27 would work but waste more addresses than necessary.
Review subnetting divides an IP network into smaller subnets by allocating bits between network and host portions of the address., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Subnetting divides an IP network into smaller subnets by allocating bits between network and host portions of the address.
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Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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