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Question 1,106 of 1,052
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CCNA Practice Question: A network administrator 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 network administrator is configuring a new Windows 10 workstation on a network that uses DHCP. The workstation receives an IPv4 address of 169.254.10.20 with a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0 and no default gateway. The user cannot access the internet or other subnets. 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
✓
The DHCP server is unreachable or not responding.
The IP address 169.254.x.x falls within the Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) range, which Windows assigns when a DHCP server is unreachable or fails to respond. The lack of a default gateway and the inability to access other subnets confirm that the workstation is using APIPA, meaning DHCP discovery failed.
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 workstation has a duplicate IP address conflict.
Why it's wrong here
A duplicate IP address would cause a different error message and might still show a valid DHCP address, not an APIPA address.
- ✗
The workstation's DNS server configuration is incorrect.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect DNS settings would prevent name resolution but would not cause the workstation to obtain an APIPA address. The workstation would still have a valid DHCP-assigned IP and default gateway.
- ✗
The workstation's subnet mask is misconfigured.
Why it's wrong here
The subnet mask 255.255.0.0 is standard for APIPA addresses (169.254.0.0/16). This is automatically assigned by the operating system and is not a misconfiguration.
- ✓
The DHCP server is unreachable or not responding.
Why this is correct
When a DHCP client fails to receive an IP address from a DHCP server, it self-assigns an APIPA address from the 169.254.0.0/16 range. This explains the observed address and the absence of a default gateway.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
When a DHCP client fails to receive an IP address from a DHCP server, it self-assigns an APIPA address from the 169.254.0.0/16 range. This explains the observed address and the absence of a default gateway.
✗The workstation has a duplicate IP address conflict.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Duplicate IP conflicts typically result in a warning but do not cause the system to assign a 169.254.x.x address.
✗The workstation's DNS server configuration is incorrect.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
DNS issues do not affect IP address assignment via DHCP.
✗The workstation's subnet mask is misconfigured.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The subnet mask is correct for the APIPA range; the problem is the lack of a DHCP server response.
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 duplicate IP address would cause a different error message and might still show a valid DHCP address, not an APIPA address.
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. — The IP address 169.254.x.x falls within the Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) range, which Windows assigns when a DHCP server is unreachable or fails to respond. The lack of a default gateway and the inability to access other subnets confirm that the workstation is using APIPA, meaning DHCP discovery failed.
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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