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 prefix length determines how many bits are allocated for the network versus host portions of an IPv4 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 uses the prefix /22. How many usable host addresses are available?
254
Why wrong: This is wrong because 254 usable hosts corresponds to a /24.
510
Why wrong: This is wrong because 510 usable hosts corresponds to a /23.
1022
This is correct because a /22 has 1024 total addresses and 1022 usable hosts.
2046
Why wrong: This is wrong because 2046 usable hosts corresponds to a /21.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
1022
A /22 leaves 10 host bits available. In plain language, that means each subnet contains 2^10, or 1024, total addresses. Two of those are reserved for the network and broadcast addresses in normal IPv4 subnetting, leaving 1022 usable host addresses. This is a common subnet-capacity calculation. The safest method is to calculate the total address count from the number of host bits and then subtract the two reserved addresses. That leads directly to the correct usable-host value.
Key principle: A subnet prefix length determines how many bits are allocated for the network versus host portions of an IPv4 address.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
254
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because 254 usable hosts corresponds to a /24.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question specified a /24 subnet instead of /22, the correct calculation would yield 256 total addresses, and after excluding the network and broadcast addresses, there would be 254 usable addresses. Thus, option A would be correct.
510
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because 510 usable hosts corresponds to a /23.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question specified a subnet mask of /23 instead of /22, then the calculation would yield 2^(32-23) = 512 total IP addresses, and after subtracting 2 for the network and broadcast addresses, the usable addresses would be 510.
1022
Why this is correct
This is correct because a /22 has 1024 total addresses and 1022 usable hosts.
Related concept
A subnet prefix length determines how many bits are allocated for the network versus host portions of an IPv4 address.
2046
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because 2046 usable hosts corresponds to a /21.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question specified a /11 subnet instead of /22, the calculation would yield 2^(32-11) = 2048 total addresses, resulting in 2046 usable addresses after accounting for the network and broadcast addresses. In this case, 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 a /22 has 1024 total addresses and 1022 usable hosts.
Why this is wrong here
A /24 prefix provides 256 total addresses (2^(32-24)=256), with 254 usable host addresses after subtracting the network and broadcast addresses. This does not match the /22 prefix in the question.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question specified a /24 subnet instead of /22, the correct calculation would yield 256 total addresses, and after excluding the network and broadcast addresses, there would be 254 usable addresses. Thus, option A would be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Students often confuse /24 with /22 because /24 is a very common subnet size, and they may incorrectly apply the 254 usable host count without calculating the correct number of bits.
Why this is wrong here
A /23 prefix provides 512 total addresses (2^(32-23)=512), with 510 usable host addresses. This is half the total addresses of a /22, so it is incorrect for the given prefix.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question specified a subnet mask of /23 instead of /22, then the calculation would yield 2^(32-23) = 512 total IP addresses, and after subtracting 2 for the network and broadcast addresses, the usable addresses would be 510.
Why candidates choose this
Some students might mistakenly think that a /22 has 510 usable hosts because they confuse it with a /23, or they may incorrectly calculate the number of host bits.
Why this is wrong here
A /21 prefix provides 2048 total addresses (2^(32-21)=2048), with 2046 usable host addresses. This is double the total addresses of a /22, so it is incorrect for the given prefix.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question specified a /11 subnet instead of /22, the calculation would yield 2^(32-11) = 2048 total addresses, resulting in 2046 usable addresses after accounting for the network and broadcast addresses. In this case, option D would be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Students may mistakenly think that a /22 has 2046 usable hosts because they confuse it with a /21, or they may incorrectly add instead of subtract when calculating host bits.
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
Remember to subtract the network and broadcast addresses from the total number of addresses to find the usable host count.
Detailed technical explanation
Subnetting is a fundamental concept in IP networking that divides a larger network into smaller, manageable segments called subnets. The prefix length, such as /22, indicates how many bits are used for the network portion of the address, with the remaining bits allocated for host addresses. In IPv4, an address is 32 bits long, so a /22 prefix means 22 bits are fixed for the network, leaving 10 bits for host addressing. The number of usable host addresses in a subnet is calculated by taking 2 to the power of the number of host bits and subtracting 2 addresses reserved for network and broadcast. For a /22 subnet, 32 - 22 = 10 host bits, so 2^10 = 1024 total addresses. Subtracting 2 reserved addresses results in 1022 usable host addresses. This calculation is critical for Cisco CCNA candidates to understand subnet capacity and address planning. A common exam trap is confusing the total number of addresses with usable hosts or mixing up prefix lengths. For example, a /24 subnet has 256 total addresses but only 254 usable hosts. Misreading the prefix or forgetting to subtract the network and broadcast addresses leads to incorrect answers. In practical Cisco networking, accurate subnetting ensures efficient IP address allocation and prevents address conflicts or wasted space.
Key takeaway
A subnet prefix length determines how many bits are allocated for the network versus host portions of an IPv4 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 a subnet prefix length determines how many bits are allocated for the network versus host portions of an IPv4 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 — A subnet prefix length determines how many bits are allocated for the network versus host portions of an IPv4 address..
The correct answer is: 1022 — A /22 leaves 10 host bits available. In plain language, that means each subnet contains 2^10, or 1024, total addresses. Two of those are reserved for the network and broadcast addresses in normal IPv4 subnetting, leaving 1022 usable host addresses. This is a common subnet-capacity calculation. The safest method is to calculate the total address count from the number of host bits and then subtract the two reserved addresses. That leads directly to the correct usable-host value.
Review a subnet prefix length determines how many bits are allocated for the network versus host portions of an IPv4 address., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
A subnet prefix length determines how many bits are allocated for the network versus host portions of an IPv4 address.
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Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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