CCNA Network Infrastructure and Connectivity Practice Question
A host is assigned 192.168.10.33/28. Which subnet contains that host?
⚠ Common exam trap
Be careful not to confuse the host address with the network address or miscalculate the subnet boundaries.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
192.168.10.32/28
A /28 subnet uses blocks of 16 addresses. In plain language, the last octet ranges move in increments of 16: 0–15, 16–31, 32–47, 48–63, and so on. Since the host address ends in 33, it belongs to the 32–47 block. That means the containing subnet is 192.168.10.32/28. This style of subnetting question is common because it tests whether you can identify the correct network boundary quickly. The key is to recognize the block size from the prefix and then place the address inside the correct interval without confusing the host with the network address.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
192.168.10.16/28
Why it's wrong here
192.168.10.16/28 covers only the addresses from .16 through .31 inclusive, because the /28 mask sets the subnet size to 16. The host .33 is two addresses beyond the upper boundary of .31, so it misses this range entirely. Unlike the .16 block, the .32 block begins exactly at 32, which is why .33 belongs there.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question asked for the subnet that includes the IP address 192.168.10.33 with a subnet mask of /27 instead of /28, option A would be correct, as 192.168.10.16/27 encompasses the range from 192.168.10.16 to 192.168.10.47.
- ✓
192.168.10.32/28
Why this is correct
A /28 prefix length yields a block size of 16 addresses, so subnets are aligned on multiples of 16: 0, 16, 32, 48, and so on. The host address 192.168.10.33 falls in the range 32–47, making 192.168.10.32/28 the correct subnet. Within that block, .33 is a usable address, as the network and broadcast addresses are .32 and .47 respectively.
- ✗
192.168.10.48/28
Why it's wrong here
The 192.168.10.48/28 subnet occupies addresses from 192.168.10.48 through 192.168.10.63, since a /28 mask creates 16-address blocks. The host address .33 is numerically 15 less than the starting .48, so it clearly lies outside this range. In fact, .48/28 is the immediately following subnet after .32/28, and cannot contain any address from the .32 block.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question asked for the next subnet after 192.168.10.32/28, then 192.168.10.48/28 would be the correct answer, as it represents the subsequent subnet in the sequence.
- ✗
192.168.10.0/28
Why it's wrong here
The 192.168.10.0/28 subnet encompasses only .0 through .15, as the /28 mask groups addresses in increments of 16 starting at zero. An address of .33 is far outside these bounds, exceeding the .15 broadcast address by 18 addresses. The .0/28 is the very first subnet in the network, and the target host is instead located in the third subnet (.32/28).
When this WOULD be correct
If the question asked for the subnet that includes the first usable IP address in the 192.168.10.0/28 range, then option D would be correct, as 192.168.10.0 is the network address for that subnet.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
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.
✓192.168.10.32/28Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
A /28 prefix length yields a block size of 16 addresses, so subnets are aligned on multiples of 16: 0, 16, 32, 48, and so on. The host address 192.168.10.33 falls in the range 32–47, making 192.168.10.32/28 the correct subnet. Within that block, .33 is a usable address, as the network and broadcast addresses are .32 and .47 respectively.
✗192.168.10.16/28Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Option A (192.168.10.16/28) is incorrect because it represents a different subnet, specifically the range 192.168.10.16 to 192.168.10.31, which does not include the host 192.168.10.33.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question asked for the subnet that includes the IP address 192.168.10.33 with a subnet mask of /27 instead of /28, option A would be correct, as 192.168.10.16/27 encompasses the range from 192.168.10.16 to 192.168.10.47.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option due to a misunderstanding of subnetting, mistakenly believing that the first subnet in the range is always the correct answer without calculating the specific subnet for the given IP address.
✗192.168.10.48/28Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Option C is wrong because the host IP 192.168.10.33/28 falls within the subnet range of 192.168.10.32 to 192.168.10.47, making 192.168.10.48/28 an entirely different subnet that does not include the host.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question asked for the next subnet after 192.168.10.32/28, then 192.168.10.48/28 would be the correct answer, as it represents the subsequent subnet in the sequence.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might choose this option due to a misunderstanding of subnetting boundaries, mistakenly believing that 192.168.10.48 is close enough to the given host IP to be relevant.
✗192.168.10.0/28Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Option D (192.168.10.0/28) is incorrect because it represents a different subnet than the one containing the host 192.168.10.33. The subnet for 192.168.10.33/28 is 192.168.10.32/28, which includes IPs from 192.168.10.32 to 192.168.10.47.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question asked for the subnet that includes the first usable IP address in the 192.168.10.0/28 range, then option D would be correct, as 192.168.10.0 is the network address for that subnet.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may mistakenly choose option D because they recognize 192.168.10.0 as a common network address and may not fully understand the implications of subnetting and the specific range of usable IPs.
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?”
Visual reference
Quick reference
Routing Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Metric | Max Hops | Algorithm | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIP v2 | Hop count | 15 | Bellman-Ford | Distance vector |
| OSPF | Cost (bandwidth) | Unlimited | Dijkstra (SPF) | Link state |
| EIGRP | Composite metric | Unlimited | DUAL | Hybrid |
| IS-IS | Cost | Unlimited | Dijkstra | Link state |
| BGP | Policy / attributes | Unlimited | Path vector | Path vector |
RIP's 15-hop limit makes it unsuitable for large networks. OSPF and EIGRP dominate modern enterprise deployments.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
IPv4 Addressing and Address Classes
Key term
Network address
A network address is a unique identifier that allows devices to find and communicate with each other on a computer network.
Key term
CAN
A CAN (Controller Area Network) is a robust vehicle bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other without a host computer.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.