This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network infrastructure and connectivity. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. A key principle to apply: a /27 subnet mask divides an IP network into subnets with 32 total addresses, including network, broadcast, and usable host addresses.. 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.
Host IP: 192.168.14.77/27
Exhibit: A host has address 192.168.14.77/27. Which address is its valid default gateway if the first usable address in the subnet is chosen for the router interface?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Host IP: 192.168.14.77/27
192.168.14.63
Why wrong: That is the broadcast address of the previous subnet.
192.168.14.64
Why wrong: That is the network address of this subnet.
192.168.14.65
That is the first usable address in 192.168.14.64/27.
192.168.14.95
Why wrong: That is the broadcast address of this subnet.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
192.168.14.65
A /27 has a block size of 32. Address 192.168.14.77 falls in the 192.168.14.64/27 subnet, where the usable host range is 192.168.14.65 through 192.168.14.94. The first usable address is 192.168.14.65.
Key principle: A /27 subnet mask divides an IP network into subnets with 32 total addresses, including network, broadcast, and usable host addresses.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
192.168.14.63
Why it's wrong here
That is the broadcast address of the previous subnet.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question where the subnet mask is changed to /26, making the subnet range 192.168.14.0 to 192.168.14.63, option A could be the correct answer if the question specifies that the last usable address is to be used as the default gateway.
192.168.14.64
Why it's wrong here
That is the network address of this subnet.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question setup where the subnet mask is changed to /26, making 192.168.14.64 the first usable address in the new subnet, option B would then be the correct default gateway for hosts within that subnet.
192.168.14.65
Why this is correct
That is the first usable address in 192.168.14.64/27.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
A /27 subnet mask divides an IP network into subnets with 32 total addresses, including network, broadcast, and usable host addresses.
192.168.14.95
Why it's wrong here
That is the broadcast address of this subnet.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question where the subnet mask is changed to /25, making the subnet range 192.168.14.0 to 192.168.14.127, option D could be correct if the question specifies that the default gateway is to be chosen from the last usable address in that subnet, which would be 192.168.14.126.
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
That is the first usable address in 192.168.14.64/27.
Why this is wrong here
Option A (192.168.14.63) is wrong because it is the last address in the subnet range (192.168.14.64 to 192.168.14.95) and is reserved for the broadcast address, not a valid default gateway.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question where the subnet mask is changed to /26, making the subnet range 192.168.14.0 to 192.168.14.63, option A could be the correct answer if the question specifies that the last usable address is to be used as the default gateway.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option due to a misunderstanding of subnetting, confusing the last usable address with the default gateway, especially if they are not fully aware of the reserved addresses in a subnet.
Why this is wrong here
Option B, 192.168.14.64, is incorrect because it is the first usable address in the subnet 192.168.14.64/27, which is reserved for the router interface and cannot be assigned as a default gateway for hosts in the subnet.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question setup where the subnet mask is changed to /26, making 192.168.14.64 the first usable address in the new subnet, option B would then be the correct default gateway for hosts within that subnet.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose option B because it is the first address after the subnet's network address, leading to confusion between usable addresses and reserved addresses for router interfaces.
Why this is wrong here
Option D, 192.168.14.95, is incorrect because it falls outside the subnet range defined by the 192.168.14.64/27 subnet, which spans from 192.168.14.64 to 192.168.14.94. Thus, it cannot be a valid default gateway for the host in question.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question where the subnet mask is changed to /25, making the subnet range 192.168.14.0 to 192.168.14.127, option D could be correct if the question specifies that the default gateway is to be chosen from the last usable address in that subnet, which would be 192.168.14.126.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might choose option D due to a misunderstanding of subnetting boundaries, mistakenly believing that any address within a broader range could serve as a valid gateway without considering the specific subnet limits.
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
Be careful not to confuse network and broadcast addresses with usable host addresses when identifying a default gateway.
Detailed technical explanation
Subnetting divides an IP network into smaller segments called subnets, each with a unique network address and range of usable host addresses. A /27 subnet mask means 27 bits are fixed for the network portion, leaving 5 bits for host addresses, resulting in 32 IP addresses per subnet. These 32 addresses include one network address, one broadcast address, and 30 usable host addresses. The network address identifies the subnet itself, while the broadcast address is used to send packets to all hosts within that subnet. To determine the valid default gateway for a host, you first identify the subnet the host belongs to by applying the subnet mask to its IP address. For 192.168.14.77/27, the subnet range is 192.168.14.64 to 192.168.14.95. The first usable host address in this range is 192.168.14.65, which is typically assigned to the router interface acting as the default gateway. This address allows the host to send traffic outside its subnet. A common exam trap is confusing network, broadcast, and usable host addresses. For example, 192.168.14.64 is the network address and cannot be assigned to a host or gateway. Similarly, 192.168.14.95 is the broadcast address and is reserved for broadcast traffic. Selecting these addresses as gateways leads to network communication failures. Understanding these distinctions is critical for correctly configuring routing and gateway addresses in Cisco networks.
Key takeaway
A /27 subnet mask divides an IP network into subnets with 32 total addresses, including network, broadcast, and usable host addresses.
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 divides an IP network into subnets with 32 total addresses, including network, broadcast, and usable host addresses., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All 200-301 questions
1,819 questions across all exam domains
CCNA 200-301 v2 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
200-301 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise 200-301 questions linked to Network Infrastructure and Connectivity.
Practise 200-301 questions linked to Switching and Network Access.
Practise 200-301 questions linked to IP Routing.
Practise 200-301 questions linked to Network Services and Security.
Practise 200-301 questions linked to AI and Network Operations.
Practise IPv4 subnetting, CIDR, masks, host ranges and subnet selection.
Practise OSPF neighbours, router IDs, metrics, areas and routing-table interpretation.
Practise VLANs, access ports, trunks, allowed VLANs and switching scenarios.
Practise spanning tree, root bridge election, port roles and STP troubleshooting.
Practise LACP, PAgP, port-channel behaviour and bundle requirements.
Practise standard and extended ACLs, permit/deny logic and traffic filtering.
Practise static NAT, dynamic NAT, PAT and inside/outside address translation.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — This question tests Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — A /27 subnet mask divides an IP network into subnets with 32 total addresses, including network, broadcast, and usable host addresses..
The correct answer is: 192.168.14.65 — A /27 has a block size of 32. Address 192.168.14.77 falls in the 192.168.14.64/27 subnet, where the usable host range is 192.168.14.65 through 192.168.14.94. The first usable address is 192.168.14.65.
Review a /27 subnet mask divides an IP network into subnets with 32 total addresses, including network, broadcast, and usable host addresses., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
A /27 subnet mask divides an IP network into subnets with 32 total addresses, including network, broadcast, and usable host addresses.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.