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Question 114 of 1,052
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CCNA Practice Question: A junior network engineer is configuring a new…
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.
A junior network engineer is configuring a new Windows 10 workstation to connect to the corporate network. The network uses a /24 subnet mask and has a default gateway of 192.168.1.1. The workstation obtains its IP address automatically from a DHCP server, but the engineer needs to manually set a static IPv4 address of 192.168.1.50 and ensure the workstation can reach the internet. Which configuration step must the engineer take to satisfy these requirements?
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
✓
Set the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0 and the default gateway to 192.168.1.1
The correct answer is B: set the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0 and the default gateway to 192.168.1.1. For a /24 network, the subnet mask is always 255.255.255.0. The default gateway must match the router's IP on that subnet (192.168.1.1) to allow traffic outside the local network. Option A incorrectly uses a /16 subnet mask, which would cause connectivity issues because the workstation would consider addresses outside 192.168.0.0/16 as local, leading to incorrect routing. Option C omits the default gateway entirely, so the workstation cannot reach the internet. Option D sets the default gateway to the workstation's own IP, which is invalid because a gateway must be a different device on the same subnet.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Set the subnet mask to 255.255.0.0 and the default gateway to 192.168.1.1
Why it's wrong here
Using a /16 subnet mask (255.255.0.0) is incorrect for a /24 network. This would cause the workstation to consider a much larger range of addresses as local, leading to incorrect routing decisions and potential connectivity problems.
- ✓
Set the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0 and the default gateway to 192.168.1.1
Why this is correct
This is the correct configuration. The subnet mask 255.255.255.0 corresponds to a /24 prefix, which matches the network. The default gateway 192.168.1.1 is the router's IP on the same subnet, allowing the workstation to reach the internet.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
Set the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0 and leave the default gateway blank
Why it's wrong here
Leaving the default gateway blank means the workstation will not know how to reach destinations outside its own subnet, so it cannot access the internet or any other network beyond the local segment.
- ✗
Set the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0 and the default gateway to 192.168.1.50
Why it's wrong here
Setting the default gateway to 192.168.1.50 (the workstation's own IP) is invalid. The gateway must be a different device (typically a router) on the same subnet; otherwise, the workstation would try to route traffic to itself, which fails.
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.
✓Set the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0 and the default gateway to 192.168.1.1Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is the correct configuration. The subnet mask 255.255.255.0 corresponds to a /24 prefix, which matches the network. The default gateway 192.168.1.1 is the router's IP on the same subnet, allowing the workstation to reach the internet.
✗Set the subnet mask to 255.255.0.0 and the default gateway to 192.168.1.1Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A /16 mask does not match the network's actual /24 prefix, so the workstation would not correctly determine which traffic needs to go through the default gateway.
✗Set the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0 and leave the default gateway blankWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A default gateway is essential for routing traffic to remote networks; without it, only local communication is possible.
✗Set the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0 and the default gateway to 192.168.1.50Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A host cannot be its own gateway; the gateway IP must belong to a router or Layer 3 switch that can forward packets to other networks.
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: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 200-301 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0 and the default gateway to 192.168.1.1 — The correct answer is B: set the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0 and the default gateway to 192.168.1.1. For a /24 network, the subnet mask is always 255.255.255.0. The default gateway must match the router's IP on that subnet (192.168.1.1) to allow traffic outside the local network. Option A incorrectly uses a /16 subnet mask, which would cause connectivity issues because the workstation would consider addresses outside 192.168.0.0/16 as local, leading to incorrect routing. Option C omits the default gateway entirely, so the workstation cannot reach the internet. Option D sets the default gateway to the workstation's own IP, which is invalid because a gateway must be a different device on the same subnet.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 200-301 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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