CCNA Network Infrastructure and Connectivity Practice Question
A host is configured as 10.20.30.95/27. Which address is the network address of its subnet?
⚠ Common exam trap
A frequent exam trap is mistaking the host IP address for the network address or incorrectly identifying the subnet block boundaries. Candidates often select the host IP itself or the next block's starting address as the network address. For example, choosing 10.20.30.95 or 10.20.30.96 instead of 10.20.30.64. This happens because the subnet mask’s block size (32 addresses for /27) is overlooked, leading to confusion about which block the host belongs to. Misunderstanding this can cause incorrect subnetting and routing errors in real networks.
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
✓
10.20.30.64
A /27 uses blocks of 32 addresses. In plain language, the ranges in the last octet are 0–31, 32–63, 64–95, 96–127, and so on. Since the host address ends in 95, it belongs to the 64–95 block. The first address in that block is the network address, which is 10.20.30.64. This is a classic subnet-boundary question because it tests whether you can identify the containing block and then choose the first address in that block as the network address.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
10.20.30.32
Why it's wrong here
A /27 subnet divides the address space into blocks of 32 addresses, with network addresses at .0, .32, .64, .96, and so on. The address .95 is not in the range .32 through .63, because that range ends at .63. Therefore 10.20.30.32 is the network address for a different subnet that does not contain host .95, making it incorrect.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question setup where the subnet mask is /26 instead of /27, the address 10.20.30.32 could be the correct network address for the subnet containing 10.20.30.95.
- ✓
10.20.30.64
Why this is correct
The /27 prefix length means the subnet mask is 255.255.255.224, giving a block size of 32 addresses. The host address 10.20.30.95 falls within the range 10.20.30.64 through 10.20.30.95, making .64 the first address of that subnet. Since the network address is always the first address in the block, 10.20.30.64 is indeed the network for this host.
- ✗
10.20.30.95
Why it's wrong here
In a /27 subnet, the host bits are the last 5 bits of the address, and the host .95 has the binary form .01011111, with all host bits set to 1. An address with all host bits set to 1 is the broadcast address for that subnet, not the network address. The network address .64 has all host bits set to 0, so .95 cannot be the network identifier.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question, if it asked for the specific address assigned to the host within its subnet, then 10.20.30.95 would be the correct answer. For example, 'What is the IP address assigned to the host in the subnet 10.20.30.64/27?' would make this option correct.
- ✗
10.20.30.96
Why it's wrong here
The subnet starting at .96 spans addresses .96 through .127, which begins immediately after the .64 block. Since the host .95 is the final address in the .64 subnet, it cannot belong to the .96 subnet. Additionally, .96 is a valid network address, but it identifies the next block, not the one containing .95, so it is wrong here.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question setup where the subnet mask is changed to /26, the network address would be 10.20.30.64, and the first usable host address would then be 10.20.30.65, making 10.20.30.96 a valid host address in that context.
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.
✓10.20.30.64Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
The /27 prefix length means the subnet mask is 255.255.255.224, giving a block size of 32 addresses. The host address 10.20.30.95 falls within the range 10.20.30.64 through 10.20.30.95, making .64 the first address of that subnet. Since the network address is always the first address in the block, 10.20.30.64 is indeed the network for this host.
✗10.20.30.32Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Option A (10.20.30.32) is incorrect because it does not represent the network address for the subnet defined by the host IP 10.20.30.95/27, which actually has a network address of 10.20.30.64.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question setup where the subnet mask is /26 instead of /27, the address 10.20.30.32 could be the correct network address for the subnet containing 10.20.30.95.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may be tempted by option A because it is a lower address within the range and might mistakenly associate it with a common subnet calculation, especially if they misinterpret the subnet mask.
✗10.20.30.95Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Option C is incorrect because 10.20.30.95 is the host address, not the network address. The network address for the subnet 10.20.30.95/27 is 10.20.30.64.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question, if it asked for the specific address assigned to the host within its subnet, then 10.20.30.95 would be the correct answer. For example, 'What is the IP address assigned to the host in the subnet 10.20.30.64/27?' would make this option correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option because it is the address provided in the question, leading to confusion between the host address and the network address.
✗10.20.30.96Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Option D (10.20.30.96) is incorrect because it is a usable host address within the subnet defined by the CIDR notation /27, which allows for addresses from 10.20.30.64 to 10.20.30.94 for hosts.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question setup where the subnet mask is changed to /26, the network address would be 10.20.30.64, and the first usable host address would then be 10.20.30.65, making 10.20.30.96 a valid host address in that context.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option because they misinterpret the subnetting rules and mistakenly believe that any address immediately following the network address can be considered a network 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?”
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
IPv4 Addressing and Address Classes
Key term
CAN
A CAN (Controller Area Network) is a robust vehicle bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other without a host computer.
Key term
Subnet
A subnet is a logical subdivision of an IP network, created by partitioning a larger network address space using subnet masks.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.