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Question 168 of 1,052
hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
CCNA Practice Question: A network administrator notices that the NTP…
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of 200-301 exam topics. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. 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.
Exhibit
R1# show ntp status Clock is synchronized, stratum 16, reference is 0.0.0.0 nominal freq is 250.0000 Hz, actual freq is 250.0000 Hz, precision is 2**10 ntp uptime is 100 minutes, resolution is 4000 msec reference time is D8C4E1C0.00000000 (12:34:56.000 UTC Mon Mar 15 2021) clock offset is 0.0000 msec, root delay is 0.00 msec root dispersion is 0.00 msec, peer dispersion is 0.00 msec R1# show ntp associations address ref clock st when poll reach delay offset disp *~192.0.2.1 0.0.0.0 16 - 64 0 0.000 0.000 16000. * sys.peer, # selected, + candidate, - outlyer, x falseticker, ~ configured
A network administrator notices that the NTP server on Router R1 is not synchronizing with the upstream NTP server at 192.0.2.1. The router is configured as an NTP client, but show ntp status indicates the clock is unsynchronized and the stratum is 16. What is the most likely cause of this issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
✓
Add an IP route to 192.0.2.1 on R1.
The NTP server at 192.0.2.1 is showing stratum 16, which indicates it is unsynchronized. The reach value of 0 confirms that no NTP packets have been received from that server. The root cause is that the upstream NTP server is not reachable due to a missing or incorrect default route on R1. The router cannot send NTP packets to 192.0.2.1 because it has no route to that network. Adding an IP route to 192.0.2.1 will allow NTP packets to reach the server and synchronize the clock.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The NTP server at 192.0.2.1 is not configured as a peer on R1.
Why it's wrong here
The output shows the server is configured as a peer (indicated by '~ configured'), so this is not the issue.
- ✓
Add an IP route to 192.0.2.1 on R1.
Why this is correct
The reach value of 0 indicates no NTP packets have been received from the server. This is likely due to a lack of routing. Adding a route to the server will allow NTP communication.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The NTP server at 192.0.2.1 is not using NTP version 4.
Why it's wrong here
There is no indication of a version mismatch in the output. The server is reachable but unsynchronized.
- ✗
The NTP server at 192.0.2.1 has a firewall blocking NTP traffic.
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.
✓Add an IP route to 192.0.2.1 on R1.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
The reach value of 0 indicates no NTP packets have been received from the server. This is likely due to a lack of routing. Adding a route to the server will allow NTP communication.
✗The NTP server at 192.0.2.1 is not configured as a peer on R1.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The configuration is correct; the server is listed as a configured peer.
✗The NTP server at 192.0.2.1 is not using NTP version 4.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Version mismatch would typically show a different behavior, like 'no peer' or 'invalid'.
✗The NTP server at 192.0.2.1 has a firewall blocking NTP traffic.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A firewall would typically show a different symptom, such as 'timeout' in the reach column.
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
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The output shows the server is configured as a peer (indicated by '~ configured'), so this is not the issue.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add an IP route to 192.0.2.1 on R1. — The NTP server at 192.0.2.1 is showing stratum 16, which indicates it is unsynchronized. The reach value of 0 confirms that no NTP packets have been received from that server. The root cause is that the upstream NTP server is not reachable due to a missing or incorrect default route on R1. The router cannot send NTP packets to 192.0.2.1 because it has no route to that network. Adding an IP route to 192.0.2.1 will allow NTP packets to reach the server and synchronize the clock.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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