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 to the 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 requires 200 usable host addresses. Which prefix is the smallest that meets the requirement?
/25
Why wrong: This is wrong because a /25 provides only 126 usable host addresses.
/24
This is correct because a /24 provides 254 usable host addresses.
/26
Why wrong: This is wrong because a /26 provides only 62 usable host addresses.
/27
Why wrong: This is wrong because a /27 provides only 30 usable host addresses.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
/24
A /24 is the smallest valid choice. In plain language, the subnet needs enough total addresses so that after the network and broadcast addresses are reserved, 200 hosts still remain. A /25 is too small because it provides only 126 usable hosts. A /24 provides 254 usable hosts, which satisfies the requirement while being the next logical prefix size up. This is a standard host-capacity planning question. The key is to work from usable hosts, not just total addresses, and then choose the smallest prefix that actually works.
Key principle: Subnetting divides an IP network into smaller subnets by allocating bits to the 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.
/25
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because a /25 provides only 126 usable host addresses.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question required a subnet that accommodates up to 126 usable host addresses, such as needing to support a small department within a larger organization, then /25 would be the correct answer.
/24
Why this is correct
This is correct because a /24 provides 254 usable host addresses.
Related concept
Subnetting divides an IP network into smaller subnets by allocating bits to the network and host portions of the address.
/26
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because a /26 provides only 62 usable host addresses.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question specified a requirement for a maximum of 62 usable host addresses, then a /26 subnet would be the correct choice, as it meets that specific need.
/27
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because a /27 provides only 30 usable host addresses.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where a question asks for the smallest subnet that can accommodate up to 30 hosts, option D: /27 would be correct, as it provides exactly 30 usable addresses, meeting the 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 /24 provides 254 usable host addresses.
Why this is wrong here
A /25 subnet provides 126 usable host addresses, which is insufficient for a requirement of 200 usable addresses. Therefore, it does not meet the specified needs of the question.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question required a subnet that accommodates up to 126 usable host addresses, such as needing to support a small department within a larger organization, then /25 would be the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might choose /25 due to a misunderstanding of subnetting calculations, mistakenly believing that it offers enough addresses for larger networks or confusing it with the next larger prefix, /24.
Why this is wrong here
A /26 subnet provides only 62 usable host addresses (64 total minus 2 for network and broadcast), which is insufficient for the requirement of 200 usable addresses.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question specified a requirement for a maximum of 62 usable host addresses, then a /26 subnet would be the correct choice, as it meets that specific need.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose /26 due to a misunderstanding of subnetting, thinking that smaller prefixes can still accommodate a larger number of hosts, or they may confuse the number of hosts with the prefix length.
Why this is wrong here
Option D: /27 provides only 30 usable host addresses (32 total addresses minus 2 for network and broadcast), which is insufficient for the requirement of 200 usable host addresses.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where a question asks for the smallest subnet that can accommodate up to 30 hosts, option D: /27 would be correct, as it provides exactly 30 usable addresses, meeting the requirement.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose option D due to a misunderstanding of subnetting, thinking that smaller prefixes can still meet the host requirements, or they may confuse the number of usable addresses with the total address 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
Ensure you calculate usable addresses, not just total addresses, and choose the smallest prefix that meets the requirement.
Detailed technical explanation
Subnetting is a fundamental concept in IP networking that divides a larger network into smaller, manageable segments called subnets. Each subnet has a defined prefix length, which determines the number of available host addresses. The prefix length, expressed as a slash followed by a number (e.g., /24), indicates how many bits are used for the network portion of the address, with the remaining bits used for host addressing. To determine the smallest prefix that meets a host requirement, you calculate the number of usable host addresses per subnet. The formula for usable hosts is 2^(32 - prefix) - 2, accounting for the network and broadcast addresses that cannot be assigned to hosts. For 200 usable hosts, a /24 prefix provides 254 usable addresses, which is the smallest prefix that satisfies this need. Smaller prefixes like /25 or /26 do not provide enough usable hosts. A common exam trap is confusing total addresses with usable host addresses. For example, a /25 subnet has 128 total addresses but only 126 usable hosts because two addresses are reserved. Misinterpreting this can lead to selecting an incorrect subnet size. In practical Cisco networking, correctly calculating subnet sizes ensures efficient IP address allocation and avoids address exhaustion or waste in network design.
Key takeaway
Subnetting divides an IP network into smaller subnets by allocating bits to the 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 to the 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 to the network and host portions of the address..
The correct answer is: /24 — A /24 is the smallest valid choice. In plain language, the subnet needs enough total addresses so that after the network and broadcast addresses are reserved, 200 hosts still remain. A /25 is too small because it provides only 126 usable hosts. A /24 provides 254 usable hosts, which satisfies the requirement while being the next logical prefix size up. This is a standard host-capacity planning question. The key is to work from usable hosts, not just total addresses, and then choose the smallest prefix that actually works.
Review subnetting divides an IP network into smaller subnets by allocating bits to the 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 to the network and host portions of the address.
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Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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