Quick Answer
The correct answer is DNS, because the DNS resolution first step in web browsing is translating a human-readable domain name like www.example.com into a machine-routable IP address. When a user types a URL into a browser, the operating system immediately checks its local DNS cache and then queries a DNS server to perform this name-to-IP mapping; without this resolution, the browser cannot locate the web server to initiate an HTTP or HTTPS session. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this question tests your understanding of fundamental network services and their roles—a common trap is confusing DNS with DHCP, which assigns IP addresses but does not resolve names, or with NTP and Syslog, which handle time synchronization and logging respectively. Remember that before any web traffic flows, the browser must first ask “where is this server?” and DNS is the only service that answers that question. A helpful memory tip: “DNS Does Name Service first.”
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network services and security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: dNS resolves human-readable domain names into IP addresses, enabling devices to locate servers on an IP network.. 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 user types www.example.com into a browser. Which service is used first to resolve that name into an IP address?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
DHCP
Why wrong: DHCP assigns IP settings to a client; it does not resolve names.
DNS
DNS resolves the hostname to an IP address.
NTP
Why wrong: NTP synchronizes time.
Syslog
Why wrong: Syslog is used for logging, not name resolution.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
DNS
DNS maps hostnames to IP addresses, which is the first step when a user enters a URL. DHCP assigns IP addresses, NTP synchronizes time, and Syslog handles logging—none of these services resolve domain names to IP addresses. The web session itself uses HTTP or HTTPS later, but name resolution happens first.
Key principle: DNS resolves human-readable domain names into IP addresses, enabling devices to locate servers on an IP network.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
DHCP
Why it's wrong here
DHCP assigns IP settings to a client; it does not resolve names.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question were about which service is responsible for providing IP addresses to devices on a local network, then DHCP would be the correct answer. For example, a question asking, 'Which service assigns IP addresses to clients in a network?' would make this option valid.
DNS
NTP
Why it's wrong here
NTP synchronizes time.
When this WOULD be correct
In a question asking about time synchronization protocols and their role in network services, such as 'Which protocol is used to synchronize time across devices in a network?', NTP would be the correct answer, as it directly relates to time management rather than name resolution.
Syslog
Why it's wrong here
Syslog is used for logging, not name resolution.
When this WOULD be correct
If the exam question asked about which service is responsible for logging network events related to domain name resolution, then Syslog would be the correct answer. In this scenario, the focus would be on monitoring and logging rather than name resolution.
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
DNS resolves the hostname to an IP address.
Why this is wrong here
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) assigns IP addresses, subnet masks, default gateways, and other network configuration parameters to clients. It does not perform name resolution; DNS is required for that.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question were about which service is responsible for providing IP addresses to devices on a local network, then DHCP would be the correct answer. For example, a question asking, 'Which service assigns IP addresses to clients in a network?' would make this option valid.
Why candidates choose this
Students might think DHCP is involved because it can provide DNS server addresses to clients, but the actual resolution of a domain name to an IP address is done by DNS, not DHCP.
Why this is wrong here
NTP (Network Time Protocol) is used to synchronize clocks between network devices, not to resolve hostnames to IP addresses. It operates on UDP port 123 and has no role in DNS resolution.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a question asking about time synchronization protocols and their role in network services, such as 'Which protocol is used to synchronize time across devices in a network?', NTP would be the correct answer, as it directly relates to time management rather than name resolution.
Why candidates choose this
Students may confuse NTP with DNS because both are network services that involve translation or synchronization, but NTP deals with time, not names.
Why this is wrong here
Syslog is a protocol for logging system messages and events from network devices. It has no function in name resolution; it is used for monitoring and troubleshooting.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the exam question asked about which service is responsible for logging network events related to domain name resolution, then Syslog would be the correct answer. In this scenario, the focus would be on monitoring and logging rather than name resolution.
Why candidates choose this
Syslog might be confused with DNS because both are network services that involve sending messages, but their purposes are entirely different.
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
Don't confuse the role of DNS with HTTP, ARP, or DHCP. Remember, DNS is specifically for domain name resolution.
Detailed technical explanation
Domain Name System (DNS) is a hierarchical and decentralized naming system used to translate human-friendly domain names like www.example.com into IP addresses that networking equipment uses to route traffic. When a user enters a URL in a browser, the DNS service is queried first to resolve the hostname into an IP address before any communication protocols like HTTP or HTTPS begin. DNS operates by querying local caches, then recursive DNS servers, and ultimately authoritative DNS servers to find the correct IP address. In Cisco networking and the CCNA context, DNS resolution is critical for IP services because devices and applications rely on IP addresses to communicate. The process starts locally on the client device, which checks its DNS cache or configured DNS servers. If the address is not cached, the query is forwarded to the DNS server configured via DHCP or static settings. This step precedes any IP routing or transport layer protocols, making DNS the foundational service for name resolution in IP networks. A common exam trap is confusing DNS with other IP services like DHCP, which assigns IP addresses but does not resolve names. In practical networks, DNS and DHCP often work together, but their functions are distinct. DNS resolves names to IP addresses, enabling web browsers and other applications to locate servers, while DHCP provides the IP configuration needed for devices to communicate on the network. Understanding this distinction is essential for correctly answering CCNA questions about IP services.
Key takeaway
DNS resolves human-readable domain names into IP addresses, enabling devices to locate servers on an IP network.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the 200-301 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. DNS resolves human-readable domain names into IP addresses, enabling devices to locate servers on an IP network. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Review dNS resolves human-readable domain names into IP addresses, enabling devices to locate servers on an IP network., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Network Services and Security — This question tests Network Services and Security — DNS resolves human-readable domain names into IP addresses, enabling devices to locate servers on an IP network..
The correct answer is: DNS — DNS maps hostnames to IP addresses, which is the first step when a user enters a URL. DHCP assigns IP addresses, NTP synchronizes time, and Syslog handles logging—none of these services resolve domain names to IP addresses. The web session itself uses HTTP or HTTPS later, but name resolution happens first.
Review dNS resolves human-readable domain names into IP addresses, enabling devices to locate servers on an IP network., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
DNS resolves human-readable domain names into IP addresses, enabling devices to locate servers on an IP network.
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Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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