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CCNA Network Services and Security Practice Question
Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to trace the DNS resolution process from a client query to receiving an A-record response.
⚠ Common exam trap
Do not confuse the order of root and TLD queries. The root server is always queried first to find the TLD server. Also, remember that the recursive resolver caches responses, so not every query goes through the full hierarchy.
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
✓
Client sends DNS query to recursive resolver
The DNS resolution process begins with the client sending a query to a recursive resolver. The resolver then queries a root name server to find the TLD server, followed by querying the TLD server to obtain the authoritative name server, and finally queries the authoritative server for the A-record. Each step depends on the previous because higher-level servers delegate to lower levels.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Client sends DNS query to recursive resolver
Why this is correct
This is the first step; the client sends a DNS query to its configured recursive resolver.
- ✓
Recursive resolver queries root name server
Why this is correct
If the resolver's cache doesn't have the answer, it queries a root name server.
- ✓
Recursive resolver queries TLD name server
Why this is correct
The root server responds with the TLD server; the resolver then queries the TLD server.
- ✓
Recursive resolver queries authoritative name server
Why this is correct
The resolver queries the authoritative name server, which returns the A-record.
Visual reference
Quick reference
Common DNS Record Types
| Record | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A | IPv4 address mapping | example.com → 93.184.216.34 |
| AAAA | IPv6 address mapping | example.com → 2606:2800::1 |
| CNAME | Alias to another hostname | www → example.com |
| MX | Mail server for domain | example.com → mail.example.com (priority 10) |
| TXT | Text data (SPF, DKIM, verification) | v=spf1 include:_spf.example.com ~all |
| NS | Authoritative name servers | example.com NS ns1.example.com |
| PTR | Reverse DNS (IP → hostname) | 34.216.184.93.in-addr.arpa → example.com |
| SOA | Zone authority record | Primary NS, admin email, serial, TTL defaults |
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
ARP — Address Resolution Protocol
Key term
DNS
DNS is the system that translates human-friendly domain names like example.com into machine-readable IP addresses so computers can find each other on a network.
Key term
Name Server
A name server is a specialized server that translates human-readable domain names into machine-readable IP addresses so that computers can find each other on a network.
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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.