Drag a concept onto its matching description — or click a concept then click the description.
Concepts
Matches
Hostname resolution
Automatic IP configuration
Clock synchronization
Centralized event and log reporting
CCNA Network Infrastructure and Connectivity Practice Question
Match each basic networking service to its most accurate role.
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco exams often test the specific function of each service. Do not confuse DNS with DHCP, or NTP with Syslog. Remember: DNS = name-to-IP, DHCP = IP assignment, NTP = clock sync, Syslog = logging.
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
✓
DNS: Converts domain names to IP addresses
DNS converts domain names to IP addresses; DHCP automates IP configuration; NTP synchronizes clocks across devices; Syslog centralizes event and log reporting for monitoring and troubleshooting.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
DNS: Converts domain names to IP addresses
Why this is correct
DNS is a hierarchical and distributed directory service that stores mappings between human-readable Fully Qualified Domain Names (FQDNs) and the IP addresses of network resources. When a client needs to reach www.example.com, it sends a DNS query that traverses recursive and iterative name-server lookups, ultimately returning the authoritative A or AAAA record. This resolution enables upper-layer protocols to initiate sessions using the numeric addressing that IP networks rely on.
- ✗
DNS: Automates IP address assignment to hosts
Why it's wrong here
The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) automates IP address assignment through a four-step DORA exchange: Discover, Offer, Request, and Acknowledge. DHCP also distributes critical network parameters such as subnet masks, default gateways, and DNS server addresses. In contrast, DNS only answers name-resolution queries; it does not allocate or manage IP address leases for hosts.
When this WOULD be correct
In a question asking 'Which protocol automates IP address assignment to hosts?', selecting 'DHCP' would be correct, but the option would be phrased as 'DHCP: Automates IP address assignment to hosts'.
- ✗
DNS: Maps private IP addresses to public IP addresses
Why it's wrong here
Network Address Translation (NAT) translates private RFC 1918 addresses to a public routable IP address so that internal hosts can communicate over the internet. DNS simply resolves domain names to IP addresses as configured in its authoritative records; it does not modify IP packet headers or perform address translation. This distinction is crucial because DNS is a naming service, whereas NAT is a packet-forwarding and address-mapping function executed by the router.
When this WOULD be correct
In a question asking 'Which service maps private IP addresses to public IP addresses for internet communication?', the correct answer would be NAT, not DNS. If the option were rephrased as 'NAT: Maps private IP addresses to public IP addresses', it would be correct.
- ✗
DNS: Resolves IP addresses to MAC addresses
Why it's wrong here
Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) performs the task of mapping a known IPv4 address to a specific MAC address on the local Ethernet segment, enabling frames to be delivered to the correct physical interface. This is a Layer 2 discovery mechanism, while DNS operates at the application layer and maps fully qualified domain names to IP addresses across the entire internet, not link-local MAC addresses. Therefore, DNS cannot fulfill this role.
When this WOULD be correct
In a question asking 'Which protocol resolves IP addresses to MAC addresses?', the correct answer would be ARP, not DNS. If the option were 'ARP: Resolves IP addresses to MAC addresses', it would be correct.
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.
✓DNS: Converts domain names to IP addressesCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
DNS is a hierarchical and distributed directory service that stores mappings between human-readable Fully Qualified Domain Names (FQDNs) and the IP addresses of network resources. When a client needs to reach www.example.com, it sends a DNS query that traverses recursive and iterative name-server lookups, ultimately returning the authoritative A or AAAA record. This resolution enables upper-layer protocols to initiate sessions using the numeric addressing that IP networks rely on.
✗DNS: Automates IP address assignment to hostsWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
DNS does not automate IP address assignment; that is the role of DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a question asking 'Which protocol automates IP address assignment to hosts?', selecting 'DHCP' would be correct, but the option would be phrased as 'DHCP: Automates IP address assignment to hosts'.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse DNS with DHCP because both are essential network services that involve IP addresses, leading to a mix-up of their functions.
✗DNS: Maps private IP addresses to public IP addressesWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
DNS does not map private IP addresses to public IP addresses; that function is performed by Network Address Translation (NAT). DNS translates domain names to IP addresses, regardless of whether they are private or public.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a question asking 'Which service maps private IP addresses to public IP addresses for internet communication?', the correct answer would be NAT, not DNS. If the option were rephrased as 'NAT: Maps private IP addresses to public IP addresses', it would be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse DNS with NAT because both involve address translation concepts, and they might think DNS handles the mapping between different types of IP addresses (private vs. public) due to its role in resolving names to IPs.
✗DNS: Resolves IP addresses to MAC addressesWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
DNS resolves domain names to IP addresses, not IP addresses to MAC addresses. ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) performs IP-to-MAC resolution.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a question asking 'Which protocol resolves IP addresses to MAC addresses?', the correct answer would be ARP, not DNS. If the option were 'ARP: Resolves IP addresses to MAC addresses', it would be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse DNS with ARP because both involve 'resolution' of addresses, and they might think DNS handles all types of address mapping, including MAC addresses.
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
VTP Versions and Configuration
Key term
NTP
Network Time Protocol is a networking protocol used to synchronize the clocks of computers and devices over a network to a common time reference.
Key term
Internet Protocol
Internet Protocol (IP) is the set of rules that governs how data is addressed, routed, and sent from one device to another across networks, including the internet.
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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.