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Question 852 of 1,052
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CCNA Practice Question: Which TWO statements correctly describe aspects…
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.
Which TWO statements correctly describe aspects of interpreting packet capture output for Layer 2/3 troubleshooting using Wireshark or embedded packet capture on IOS-XE?
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
✓
A large number of ARP requests for the same IP address in a packet capture suggests a possible Layer 3 connectivity issue, such as a missing default gateway.
This question tests your ability to interpret packet captures for troubleshooting Layer 2 and Layer 3 issues. Option B is correct because in a Wireshark capture, a large number of ARP requests may indicate that the destination MAC address is unknown, often due to a missing or incorrect gateway IP address. Option D is correct because embedded packet capture on IOS-XE can capture both ingress and egress traffic, allowing you to see if packets are being dropped or modified as they traverse the router. Option A is incorrect because a DHCP Discover packet is broadcast at Layer 2 (destination MAC FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF), not a unicast to the DHCP server. Option C is incorrect because a TCP SYN-ACK packet in a capture indicates that the three-way handshake has reached the second step, meaning the destination host is reachable and responding; it does not indicate a failure. Option E is incorrect because the TTL value in a captured packet shows the number of hops remaining at the time of capture, not the original TTL set by the source; the original TTL is typically 128, 64, or 255, and the captured value is decremented by each router that forwarded the packet.
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.
- ✗
A DHCP Discover packet in a Wireshark capture shows a unicast destination MAC address to the DHCP server.
Why it's wrong here
A DHCP Discover is a broadcast packet at Layer 2, so the destination MAC address is FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF, not unicast.
- ✓
A large number of ARP requests for the same IP address in a packet capture suggests a possible Layer 3 connectivity issue, such as a missing default gateway.
Why this is correct
Repeated ARP requests for the same IP indicate that the device cannot resolve the MAC address, often because the destination is unreachable or the gateway is misconfigured.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
A TCP SYN-ACK packet in a capture indicates that the three-way handshake failed and the destination is unreachable.
Why it's wrong here
A SYN-ACK is the second step in a successful three-way handshake; it shows the destination received the SYN and is willing to open a connection.
- ✓
When using embedded packet capture on IOS-XE, you can capture packets on both ingress and egress directions to see if a router is dropping or modifying packets.
Why this is correct
IOS-XE embedded capture allows you to specify capture points for inbound and outbound traffic, which helps in troubleshooting where packets are being altered or dropped.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
The TTL value in a captured IP packet always shows the original TTL set by the source host.
Why it's wrong here
The TTL in a capture is the value at the time of capture; it has been decremented by each router that forwarded the packet.
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.
✓A large number of ARP requests for the same IP address in a packet capture suggests a possible Layer 3 connectivity issue, such as a missing default gateway.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
Repeated ARP requests for the same IP indicate that the device cannot resolve the MAC address, often because the destination is unreachable or the gateway is misconfigured.
✗A DHCP Discover packet in a Wireshark capture shows a unicast destination MAC address to the DHCP server.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
DHCP Discover uses broadcast to find a DHCP server; it is never unicast to a specific MAC.
✗A TCP SYN-ACK packet in a capture indicates that the three-way handshake failed and the destination is unreachable.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A SYN-ACK means the destination is reachable and responding; a failure would show no response or a RST packet.
✗The TTL value in a captured IP packet always shows the original TTL set by the source host.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The original TTL is set by the source (e.g., 128 for Windows, 64 for Linux), but the captured value reflects the remaining hops after routing.
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 SYN-ACK is the second step in a successful three-way handshake; it shows the destination received the SYN and is willing to open a connection.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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: A large number of ARP requests for the same IP address in a packet capture suggests a possible Layer 3 connectivity issue, such as a missing default gateway. — This question tests your ability to interpret packet captures for troubleshooting Layer 2 and Layer 3 issues. Option B is correct because in a Wireshark capture, a large number of ARP requests may indicate that the destination MAC address is unknown, often due to a missing or incorrect gateway IP address. Option D is correct because embedded packet capture on IOS-XE can capture both ingress and egress traffic, allowing you to see if packets are being dropped or modified as they traverse the router. Option A is incorrect because a DHCP Discover packet is broadcast at Layer 2 (destination MAC FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF), not a unicast to the DHCP server. Option C is incorrect because a TCP SYN-ACK packet in a capture indicates that the three-way handshake has reached the second step, meaning the destination host is reachable and responding; it does not indicate a failure. Option E is incorrect because the TTL value in a captured packet shows the number of hops remaining at the time of capture, not the original TTL set by the source; the original TTL is typically 128, 64, or 255, and the captured value is decremented by each router that forwarded the packet.
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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