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 corresponds to 255.255.255.224 and creates subnets with 32 IP addresses each, including network and broadcast 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.
IP address: 10.20.30.44 Subnet mask: 255.255.255.224
Exhibit: A laptop has IP address 10.20.30.44/27. Which address is its directed broadcast for that subnet?
IP address: 10.20.30.44 Subnet mask: 255.255.255.224
10.20.30.31
Why wrong: That is the broadcast of the previous /27 block.
10.20.30.32
Why wrong: That is the network address of this subnet.
10.20.30.63
That is the directed broadcast address for 10.20.30.32/27.
10.20.30.64
Why wrong: That is the next subnet boundary.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
10.20.30.63
A /27 gives a block size of 32 addresses. The host 10.20.30.44 falls in the 10.20.30.32 to 10.20.30.63 subnet, so the broadcast address is 10.20.30.63.
Key principle: A /27 subnet mask corresponds to 255.255.255.224 and creates subnets with 32 IP addresses each, including network and broadcast addresses.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
10.20.30.31
Why it's wrong here
That is the broadcast of the previous /27 block.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct if the question asked for the directed broadcast address of the subnet containing 10.20.30.44 with a /26 mask (block size 64), where the subnet would be 10.20.30.0/26 and the broadcast would be 10.20.30.63.
10.20.30.32
Why it's wrong here
That is the network address of this subnet.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question asked for the network address of the subnet containing 10.20.30.44/27, then 10.20.30.32 would be correct. For example: 'Which address is the network address for the subnet of 10.20.30.44/27?'
10.20.30.63
Why this is correct
That is the directed broadcast address for 10.20.30.32/27.
Related concept
A /27 subnet mask corresponds to 255.255.255.224 and creates subnets with 32 IP addresses each, including network and broadcast addresses.
10.20.30.64
Why it's wrong here
That is the next subnet boundary.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question asked for the network address of the next subnet after 10.20.30.32/27, then 10.20.30.64 would be correct. For example: 'What is the network address of the subnet following 10.20.30.32/27?'
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 directed broadcast address for 10.20.30.32/27.
Why this is wrong here
10.20.30.31 is the broadcast address of the previous /27 subnet (10.20.30.0/27), not the subnet containing 10.20.30.44. The host 10.20.30.44 belongs to the 10.20.30.32/27 subnet, so its broadcast is 10.20.30.63.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct if the question asked for the directed broadcast address of the subnet containing 10.20.30.44 with a /26 mask (block size 64), where the subnet would be 10.20.30.0/26 and the broadcast would be 10.20.30.63.
Why candidates choose this
Students often miscalculate the subnet boundaries or confuse the broadcast address with the network address. The number 31 might appear as a common broadcast address in smaller subnets, but here it is incorrect.
Why this is wrong here
10.20.30.32 is the network address (subnet ID) of the subnet 10.20.30.32/27, not the broadcast address. The network address is the first address in the subnet and is used to identify the subnet itself.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question asked for the network address of the subnet containing 10.20.30.44/27, then 10.20.30.32 would be correct. For example: 'Which address is the network address for the subnet of 10.20.30.44/27?'
Why candidates choose this
Some students mistakenly think the network address or the first usable address is the broadcast address. The network address is often confused with the broadcast because both are special addresses within the subnet.
Why this is wrong here
10.20.30.64 is the network address of the next /27 subnet (10.20.30.64/27), not the broadcast of the current subnet. The broadcast address for 10.20.30.32/27 is 10.20.30.63.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question asked for the network address of the next subnet after 10.20.30.32/27, then 10.20.30.64 would be correct. For example: 'What is the network address of the subnet following 10.20.30.32/27?'
Why candidates choose this
Students may incorrectly add the subnet size (32) to the network address to get the broadcast, but the broadcast is one less than the next network address. 10.20.30.64 is the next subnet boundary, not the broadcast.
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
Avoid confusing the network address or a host address with the broadcast address. Remember, the broadcast address is the last address in the subnet.
Detailed technical explanation
Directed broadcast addresses are special IP addresses used to send a broadcast packet to all hosts within a specific subnet. The directed broadcast address is the highest address in the subnet, where all host bits are set to 1. For a subnet with a /27 mask, which corresponds to 255.255.255.224, the block size is 32 addresses. This means each subnet contains 32 IP addresses, including the network and broadcast addresses. To find the directed broadcast address for a given IP and subnet mask, first identify the subnet range by calculating the network address. For 10.20.30.44/27, the network address is 10.20.30.32 because 44 falls within the 32–63 range. The directed broadcast address is then the last address in this range, 10.20.30.63, where all host bits are set to 1. Cisco devices use this address to forward broadcast packets to all hosts in that subnet. A common exam trap is confusing the directed broadcast address with the network address or the broadcast address of a different subnet. For example, 10.20.30.31 is the broadcast for the previous subnet (10.20.30.0/27), not the current one. Understanding subnet boundaries and block sizes is critical to avoid this mistake. In practical networking, directed broadcasts can be used for network-wide announcements but are often disabled on routers to prevent broadcast amplification attacks.
Key takeaway
A /27 subnet mask corresponds to 255.255.255.224 and creates subnets with 32 IP addresses each, including network and broadcast 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 corresponds to 255.255.255.224 and creates subnets with 32 IP addresses each, including network and broadcast addresses., 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 corresponds to 255.255.255.224 and creates subnets with 32 IP addresses each, including network and broadcast addresses..
The correct answer is: 10.20.30.63 — A /27 gives a block size of 32 addresses. The host 10.20.30.44 falls in the 10.20.30.32 to 10.20.30.63 subnet, so the broadcast address is 10.20.30.63.
Review a /27 subnet mask corresponds to 255.255.255.224 and creates subnets with 32 IP addresses each, including network and broadcast addresses., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
A /27 subnet mask corresponds to 255.255.255.224 and creates subnets with 32 IP addresses each, including network and broadcast addresses.
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Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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