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CCNA Practice Question: Is troubleshooting an issue where a Windows 10…

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

C:\Users\Admin>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

   Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Host-A
   Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . : 
   Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
   IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
   WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Ethernet0:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : 
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/1000 MT
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-50-56-8A-2B-1C
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
   Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::250:56ff:fe8a:2b1c%12(Preferred)
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.100(Preferred)
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, October 5, 2023 10:00:00 AM
   Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, October 6, 2023 10:00:00 AM
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
   DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
   DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 8.8.8.8
   Primary WINS Server . . . . . . . : 
   NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

A network engineer is troubleshooting an issue where a Windows 10 workstation (Host-A) cannot reach the internet, but can ping the local default gateway. The engineer runs 'ipconfig /all' on Host-A and reviews the output. What is the most likely cause of the problem?

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.

Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →

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 DNS server is configured as a public DNS server that may be unreachable due to network policy or firewall.

The output shows that the DNS server is set to 8.8.8.8, which is a public Google DNS server. However, the DHCP server is 192.168.1.1 (the default gateway). If the gateway is not configured to forward DNS requests to the internet, or if the public DNS is not reachable due to firewall rules, the host will fail to resolve names. The host can ping the gateway (Layer 3 connectivity) but cannot reach internet resources because DNS resolution fails. The other options are incorrect because the subnet mask, default gateway, and IPv4 address are all configured correctly.

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 subnet mask is incorrect.

    Why it's wrong here

    The subnet mask 255.255.255.0 is correct for a /24 network.

  • ✗

    The default gateway is missing or incorrect.

    Why it's wrong here

    The default gateway is correctly set to 192.168.1.1.

  • ✓

    The DNS server is configured as a public DNS server that may be unreachable due to network policy or firewall.

    Why this is correct

    The DNS server 8.8.8.8 is a public server; if not reachable from the local network, name resolution fails.

    Clue confirmation

    The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.

    Related concept

    CIDR notation defines the prefix length.

  • ✗

    The host has obtained an APIPA address (169.254.x.x).

    Why it's wrong here

    The IPv4 address is 192.168.1.100, which is a valid private address, not an APIPA address.

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 DNS server is configured as a public DNS server that may be unreachable due to network policy or firewall.Correct answer▾

Why this is correct

The DNS server 8.8.8.8 is a public server; if not reachable from the local network, name resolution fails.

✗The subnet mask is incorrect.Wrong answer — click to see why▾

Why this is wrong here

The subnet mask matches the typical /24 prefix, so this is not the issue.

✗The default gateway is missing or incorrect.Wrong answer — click to see why▾

Why this is wrong here

The host can ping the gateway, so the gateway is reachable and correctly configured.

✗The host has obtained an APIPA address (169.254.x.x).Wrong answer — click to see why▾

Why this is wrong here

APIPA addresses start with 169.254.x.x, so this is not the case.

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: The DNS server is configured as a public DNS server that may be unreachable due to network policy or firewall. — The output shows that the DNS server is set to 8.8.8.8, which is a public Google DNS server. However, the DHCP server is 192.168.1.1 (the default gateway). If the gateway is not configured to forward DNS requests to the internet, or if the public DNS is not reachable due to firewall rules, the host will fail to resolve names. The host can ping the gateway (Layer 3 connectivity) but cannot reach internet resources because DNS resolution fails. The other options are incorrect because the subnet mask, default gateway, and IPv4 address are all configured correctly.

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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