This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network infrastructure and connectivity. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. A key principle to apply: a /27 subnet mask uses 27 bits for network and subnet, leaving 5 bits for host addresses, creating subnet blocks of 32 IP addresses each.. 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 host is configured as 10.20.30.95/27. Which address is the network address of its subnet?
10.20.30.32
Why wrong: This is wrong because .95 is not in the 32–63 block.
10.20.30.64
This is correct because the host falls within the 64–95 /27 block.
10.20.30.95
Why wrong: This is wrong because .95 is the host address, not the network address.
10.20.30.96
Why wrong: This is wrong because .96 is the beginning of the next /27 block.
Answer choices
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.
Key principle: A /27 subnet mask uses 27 bits for network and subnet, leaving 5 bits for host addresses, creating subnet blocks of 32 IP addresses each.
Answer analysis
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
This is wrong because .95 is not in the 32–63 block.
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
This is correct because the host falls within the 64–95 /27 block.
Related concept
A /27 subnet mask uses 27 bits for network and subnet, leaving 5 bits for host addresses, creating subnet blocks of 32 IP addresses each.
10.20.30.95
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because .95 is the host address, not the network address.
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
This is wrong because .96 is the beginning of the next /27 block.
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
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.
Why this is correct
This is correct because the host falls within the 64–95 /27 block.
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.
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.
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?”
Common exam traps
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.
Detailed technical explanation
Subnetting divides a larger IP network into smaller, manageable subnetworks by borrowing bits from the host portion of the IP address to create subnet bits. A /27 subnet mask means 27 bits are fixed for the network and subnet combined, leaving 5 bits for host addressing. This results in subnet blocks of 32 IP addresses each (2^5 = 32), where the first address is the network address, the last is the broadcast address, and the addresses in between are usable host addresses. To determine the network address for a host IP with a /27 mask, identify which 32-address block the host falls into. The blocks start at multiples of 32 in the last octet: 0, 32, 64, 96, etc. Since the host IP is 10.20.30.95, it falls within the 64–95 range. The network address is the first address in this block, 10.20.30.64, which represents the subnet's identifier for routing and addressing purposes. A common exam trap is confusing the host address with the network address or miscalculating subnet boundaries by not correctly applying the subnet mask. For example, selecting 10.20.30.95 as the network address is incorrect because it is a host address. Similarly, choosing 10.20.30.96 is wrong because it belongs to the next subnet block. Understanding the subnet block ranges and their boundaries is critical for accurate subnetting and avoiding misconfiguration in Cisco networks.
Key takeaway
A /27 subnet mask uses 27 bits for network and subnet, leaving 5 bits for host addresses, creating subnet blocks of 32 IP addresses each.
Real-world example
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
Review a /27 subnet mask uses 27 bits for network and subnet, leaving 5 bits for host addresses, creating subnet blocks of 32 IP addresses each., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — This question tests Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — A /27 subnet mask uses 27 bits for network and subnet, leaving 5 bits for host addresses, creating subnet blocks of 32 IP addresses each..
The correct answer is: 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.
Review a /27 subnet mask uses 27 bits for network and subnet, leaving 5 bits for host addresses, creating subnet blocks of 32 IP addresses each., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
A /27 subnet mask uses 27 bits for network and subnet, leaving 5 bits for host addresses, creating subnet blocks of 32 IP addresses each.
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Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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