Quick Answer
The answer is DNS, as the ability to ping 8.8.8.8 confirms IP connectivity and routing are functional, while the failure to reach www.example.com by hostname isolates the problem to name resolution. DNS resolution troubleshooting on the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam tests your ability to differentiate between Layer 3 reachability and application-layer name services; a successful ping to a public IP proves the client has a default gateway and Internet path, but the hostname failure indicates the DNS server is unreachable, misconfigured, or not responding. This scenario is a classic exam trap where students blame routing or firewall rules, but the key clue is that only hostnames fail—if the DNS server IP itself were unreachable, you’d see a timeout or “server failure” message. For a quick memory tip, remember: “IP works, name fails? DNS is the culprit.”
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network services and security. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: dNS resolves human-readable domain names into IP addresses, enabling clients to access websites using hostnames instead of numeric IPs.. 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.
PC output: C:\> ping 8.8.8.8 -> success C:\> ping www.example.com -> Ping request could not find host www.example.com
Exhibit: A client can ping 8.8.8.8 but cannot browse to www.example.com. Which service is most likely failing?
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.
PC output: C:\> ping 8.8.8.8 -> success C:\> ping www.example.com -> Ping request could not find host www.example.com
NTP
Why wrong: Distractor.
DNS
Correct choice.
DHCP snooping
Why wrong: Distractor.
HSRP
Why wrong: Distractor.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
DNS
The client has IP connectivity because it can reach 8.8.8.8 directly. The problem appears only when using a hostname, which points to a DNS resolution issue rather than a routing issue.
Key principle: DNS resolves human-readable domain names into IP addresses, enabling clients to access websites using hostnames instead of numeric IPs.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
NTP
Why it's wrong here
Distractor.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question were about a scenario where a device is unable to synchronize its time with an NTP server, and this time discrepancy causes issues with time-sensitive applications or protocols, then NTP would be the correct answer. For example, if a client can access IP addresses but fails to authenticate to a time-sensitive service due to incorrect timestamps, NTP would be the failing service.
DNS
DHCP snooping
Why it's wrong here
Distractor.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question were framed to ask about a network where clients are unable to obtain IP addresses due to DHCP snooping being misconfigured, leading to connectivity issues, then selecting DHCP snooping would be correct. For example, if clients could ping known IPs but not access any domain names due to IP assignment issues, it would fit.
HSRP
Why it's wrong here
Distractor.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question were framed around a scenario where a client is unable to reach a default gateway due to a failure in HSRP, such as when two routers are configured for HSRP and one fails, causing loss of redundancy, then HSRP would be the correct answer.
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
Correct choice.
Why this is wrong here
NTP (Network Time Protocol) is responsible for time synchronization across devices and does not affect the ability to resolve domain names or browse websites. Since the client can ping an IP address, it indicates that basic connectivity is intact, making NTP unrelated to the browsing issue.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question were about a scenario where a device is unable to synchronize its time with an NTP server, and this time discrepancy causes issues with time-sensitive applications or protocols, then NTP would be the correct answer. For example, if a client can access IP addresses but fails to authenticate to a time-sensitive service due to incorrect timestamps, NTP would be the failing service.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse the importance of synchronized time in network operations with general connectivity issues, leading them to incorrectly associate NTP with browsing problems when they see a network-related question.
Why this is wrong here
DHCP snooping is not relevant in this scenario because the client can successfully ping an IP address, indicating that it has a valid IP configuration. DHCP snooping primarily protects against rogue DHCP servers and does not affect DNS resolution directly.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question were framed to ask about a network where clients are unable to obtain IP addresses due to DHCP snooping being misconfigured, leading to connectivity issues, then selecting DHCP snooping would be correct. For example, if clients could ping known IPs but not access any domain names due to IP assignment issues, it would fit.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might confuse DHCP snooping with general connectivity issues, thinking that any network-related problem could be attributed to DHCP configurations, especially if they have limited experience with DNS and its role in name resolution.
Why this is wrong here
HSRP (Hot Standby Router Protocol) is used for network redundancy and does not directly affect the ability to resolve domain names. Since the client can ping an IP address but cannot browse a website, the issue is likely related to DNS resolution, not HSRP.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question were framed around a scenario where a client is unable to reach a default gateway due to a failure in HSRP, such as when two routers are configured for HSRP and one fails, causing loss of redundancy, then HSRP would be the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse HSRP with general network connectivity issues, thinking that if redundancy fails, it could impact the ability to access web resources, leading them to select this option.
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 assuming that successful ping to an IP address means all network services are functioning correctly. Candidates often overlook that ping uses numeric IP addresses and does not test DNS resolution. This leads to the incorrect conclusion that the network is fully operational, causing them to eliminate DNS as a problem. The trap is reinforced by the presence of other options like DHCP snooping or HSRP, which are unrelated to hostname resolution but may seem plausible. Recognizing that DNS specifically enables hostname-to-IP translation is essential to avoid this mistake.
Detailed technical explanation
DNS (Domain Name System) is a critical IP service that translates human-friendly domain names into IP addresses required for routing traffic on the internet. When a client types www.example.com into a browser, the DNS client sends a query to a DNS server to resolve that name into an IP address. Without this translation, the client cannot initiate a connection to the web server hosting the site. DNS operates over UDP and TCP on port 53 and is fundamental for hostname-based communication in IP networks. In the scenario where a client can ping 8.8.8.8 but cannot browse www.example.com, the key diagnostic clue is that IP connectivity exists but hostname resolution fails. This indicates that the DNS service is either misconfigured, unreachable, or down. The client’s DNS settings might be incorrect, or the DNS server itself might be offline. Unlike DHCP snooping or HSRP, which affect network security or gateway redundancy respectively, DNS directly impacts the ability to resolve domain names, making it the most likely failing service. A common exam trap is confusing IP connectivity with full network functionality. Because ping uses IP addresses directly, it can succeed even if DNS is broken, misleading candidates to think the network is fully operational. In practical Cisco environments, DNS issues often cause user complaints about web access despite successful pings. Understanding this distinction helps avoid misdiagnosis and ensures correct troubleshooting steps focus on DNS rather than routing or other IP services.
Key takeaway
DNS resolves human-readable domain names into IP addresses, enabling clients to access websites using hostnames instead of numeric IPs.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the 200-301 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. DNS resolves human-readable domain names into IP addresses, enabling clients to access websites using hostnames instead of numeric IPs. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Review dNS resolves human-readable domain names into IP addresses, enabling clients to access websites using hostnames instead of numeric IPs., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Network Services and Security — This question tests Network Services and Security — DNS resolves human-readable domain names into IP addresses, enabling clients to access websites using hostnames instead of numeric IPs..
The correct answer is: DNS — The client has IP connectivity because it can reach 8.8.8.8 directly. The problem appears only when using a hostname, which points to a DNS resolution issue rather than a routing issue.
Review dNS resolves human-readable domain names into IP addresses, enabling clients to access websites using hostnames instead of numeric IPs., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
DNS resolves human-readable domain names into IP addresses, enabling clients to access websites using hostnames instead of numeric IPs.
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Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Exhibit: A user can ping 8.8.8.8 successfully but cannot browse to www.example.com by name. Which service is the most likely failing component?
mediumWhy B: If connectivity to an IP address works but name-based access fails, the path is up and the problem is usually name resolution. DNS is the service that translates hostnames into IP addresses.
Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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