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Question 1,357 of 1,052
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CCNA Practice Question: A network administrator receives a report that a…
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 network administrator receives a report that a user on a Windows laptop cannot connect to the internet, although other devices on the same subnet are working. The administrator runs `ipconfig` on the laptop and sees an IP address of 169.254.15.22 with a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0 and no default gateway. Based on this output, what is the most likely cause of the connectivity 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
✓
The DHCP server is unreachable or not responding to the laptop's DHCP request.
The IP address 169.254.x.x is an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address, assigned by Windows when a DHCP server is unreachable. The absence of a default gateway confirms that no DHCP lease was obtained, so the laptop cannot route traffic outside its subnet. The most likely cause is that the DHCP server is unavailable or the DHCP request is not reaching it. Options involving static IP misconfiguration, DNS issues, or physical cable problems are less likely given the specific APIPA address and lack of gateway.
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.
- ✗
The laptop's DNS server settings are incorrect.
- ✓
The DHCP server is unreachable or not responding to the laptop's DHCP request.
Why this is correct
APIPA is assigned when a DHCP client fails to receive a DHCPOFFER after sending DHCPDISCOVER messages. This typically means the DHCP server is down, misconfigured, or the laptop cannot reach it due to a network issue (e.g., VLAN mismatch, switch port problem).
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
The laptop has a static IP address configured that conflicts with another device.
Why it's wrong here
A static IP address would not be 169.254.x.x unless manually set, which is unlikely. An IP conflict would produce a different symptom (e.g., intermittent connectivity, error message) and the laptop would still show a manually configured gateway.
- ✗
The Ethernet cable is faulty or disconnected.
Why it's wrong here
A faulty cable would cause the network adapter to show 'Network cable unplugged' or a link status of 'Disconnected' in ipconfig, not an APIPA address. APIPA is only assigned when the interface has link but no DHCP response.
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.
✓The DHCP server is unreachable or not responding to the laptop's DHCP request.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
APIPA is assigned when a DHCP client fails to receive a DHCPOFFER after sending DHCPDISCOVER messages. This typically means the DHCP server is down, misconfigured, or the laptop cannot reach it due to a network issue (e.g., VLAN mismatch, switch port problem).
✗The laptop's DNS server settings are incorrect.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The APIPA address indicates a DHCP failure, not a DNS problem.
✗The laptop has a static IP address configured that conflicts with another device.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A static IP conflict would not result in an APIPA address; the laptop would show the manually configured IP, not 169.254.x.x.
✗The Ethernet cable is faulty or disconnected.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A physical cable issue would prevent link, so the laptop would not even attempt DHCP and would not get an APIPA address.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
A static IP address would not be 169.254.x.x unless manually set, which is unlikely. An IP conflict would produce a different symptom (e.g., intermittent connectivity, error message) and the laptop would still show a manually configured gateway.
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: The DHCP server is unreachable or not responding to the laptop's DHCP request. — The IP address 169.254.x.x is an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address, assigned by Windows when a DHCP server is unreachable. The absence of a default gateway confirms that no DHCP lease was obtained, so the laptop cannot route traffic outside its subnet. The most likely cause is that the DHCP server is unavailable or the DHCP request is not reaching it. Options involving static IP misconfiguration, DNS issues, or physical cable problems are less likely given the specific APIPA address and lack of gateway.
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.
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?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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