CCNA Network Infrastructure and Connectivity Practice Question
Exhibit
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?
⚠ Common exam trap
Avoid confusing the network address or a host address with the broadcast address. Remember, the broadcast address is the last address in the subnet.
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
✓
10.20.30.63
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.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
10.20.30.31
Why it's wrong here
The block preceding 10.20.30.32/27 is 10.20.30.0/27, whose directed broadcast address is 10.20.30.31. Since /27 boundaries occur every 32 addresses, .31 is the last host bit pattern in the .0 block, immediately before the network address of the .32 block. It is therefore one subnet behind, and does not apply to an address in 10.20.30.32/27 like .44. This address would be the broadcast only for hosts using 10.20.30.0/27.
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
A /27 mask converts the fourth octet into 3 subnet bits and 5 host bits, so subnets advance by 32. To find this subnet's network address, set all host bits to zero: .44 (00101100) becomes .32 (00100000). Thus 10.20.30.32 identifies the subnet itself rather than a usable host or broadcast address, which disqualifies it. It is correctly named as the network identifier for the same /27 block containing .44.
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
With a /27 prefix, the subnet block size is 32 addresses. The host address 10.20.30.44 falls inside 10.20.30.32/27, whose range extends from .32 through .63. The directed broadcast address is the final address in that range, 10.20.30.63, with all five host bits set to 1. It is valid only as a broadcast target and cannot be assigned to an interface.
- ✗
10.20.30.64
Why it's wrong here
Because the /27 block size is 32, the boundary immediately after .32/27 begins at 10.20.30.64, which is the network address of the next subnet (10.20.30.64/27). Address .44 lies below that boundary, so .64 is not part of the same broadcast domain and cannot serve as the directed broadcast for .44/27. It would be the network address of a different subnet, not an address in 10.20.30.32/27.
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
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.
✓10.20.30.63Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
With a /27 prefix, the subnet block size is 32 addresses. The host address 10.20.30.44 falls inside 10.20.30.32/27, whose range extends from .32 through .63. The directed broadcast address is the final address in that range, 10.20.30.63, with all five host bits set to 1. It is valid only as a broadcast target and cannot be assigned to an interface.
✗10.20.30.31Wrong answer — click to see why▾
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.
✗10.20.30.32Wrong answer — click to see why▾
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.
✗10.20.30.64Wrong answer — click to see why▾
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?”
Visual reference
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
IPv4 Addressing and Address Classes
Key term
Broadcast address
A broadcast address is a special network address used to send data to every device on a local network segment simultaneously.
Key term
Block size
Block size is the amount of data, measured in bytes, that a system reads or writes in a single operation, affecting storage efficiency and network performance.
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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.