- A
ipconfig /all
Why wrong: This command displays detailed IP configuration, including DNS servers and MAC addresses, which is useful for verifying addressing information but does not show active network connections or sessions.
- B
netstat -a
This command shows all active TCP connections and listening ports on the client, allowing the administrator to see if there are any established sessions to the web server or if the web server's port is being blocked or not responding.
- C
tracert 192.168.1.100
Why wrong: Tracert performs a route trace to the destination, which requires that the destination is reachable at Layer 3; since ping already failed, tracert will likely also fail and does not provide information about active connections.
- D
ping -t 192.168.1.100
Why wrong: The -t option sends continuous pings, which is useful for monitoring stability but does not reveal connection states or listening ports; it only tests ICMP reachability, which has already failed.
Quick Answer
The answer is `netstat -a`, as it displays all active TCP and UDP connections along with listening ports, making it the most direct command to use netstat to troubleshoot connectivity when a client can reach the gateway but not a specific server. While a failed ping to 192.168.1.100 might suggest ICMP filtering at the network layer, `netstat -a` reveals whether the client has actually initiated a TCP session to that IP and what state that connection is in—such as SYN_SENT, ESTABLISHED, or TIME_WAIT—allowing you to isolate transport-layer or application-layer problems. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this scenario tests your ability to differentiate between network-layer reachability and transport-layer session verification; a common trap is to assume ping failure always means a routing or ACL issue, when the real problem could be a blocked port or a half-open connection. Remember the memory tip: “A for All” – `netstat -a` shows all active connections and listening ports, giving you the full picture of what’s happening at the transport layer.
CCNA Network Infrastructure and Connectivity Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network infrastructure and connectivity. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. 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.
A network administrator is troubleshooting a Windows 10 client that cannot access a web server at 192.168.1.100. The client has an IP address of 192.168.1.50/24 and can ping its default gateway (192.168.1.1) successfully, but ping to 192.168.1.100 fails. Which command should the administrator run next to verify the client's current network connections and identify potential issues with active sessions?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"which command"Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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
netstat -a
The `netstat -a` command displays all active TCP/UDP connections and listening ports, which is the most direct way to verify current network sessions and identify issues such as blocked ports, half-open connections, or failed connection attempts. While ping failure could result from network-layer filtering (e.g., ACLs blocking ICMP), `netstat -a` reveals whether the client has initiated a TCP connection to 192.168.1.100 and its current state (e.g., SYN_SENT, ESTABLISHED, TIME_WAIT), helping to isolate transport-layer or application-layer problems.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
ipconfig /all
Why it's wrong here
This command displays detailed IP configuration, including DNS servers and MAC addresses, which is useful for verifying addressing information but does not show active network connections or sessions.
- ✓
netstat -a
Why this is correct
This command shows all active TCP connections and listening ports on the client, allowing the administrator to see if there are any established sessions to the web server or if the web server's port is being blocked or not responding.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
tracert 192.168.1.100
Why it's wrong here
Tracert performs a route trace to the destination, which requires that the destination is reachable at Layer 3; since ping already failed, tracert will likely also fail and does not provide information about active connections.
- ✗
ping -t 192.168.1.100
Why it's wrong here
The -t option sends continuous pings, which is useful for monitoring stability but does not reveal connection states or listening ports; it only tests ICMP reachability, which has already failed.
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.
✓netstat -aCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
This command shows all active TCP connections and listening ports on the client, allowing the administrator to see if there are any established sessions to the web server or if the web server's port is being blocked or not responding.
✗ipconfig /allWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The ipconfig /all command displays detailed IP configuration, including DNS servers and MAC addresses, but does not show active network connections or sessions. Since the client can ping the gateway, IP configuration is likely correct, and this command does not help identify issues with active sessions to the web server.
Why candidates choose this
Students often use ipconfig /all as a first step in troubleshooting network issues because it provides a comprehensive view of the client's network settings. However, it does not reveal connection states or listening ports, which are needed to diagnose why a specific web server is unreachable.
✗tracert 192.168.1.100Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The tracert command performs a route trace to the destination, which requires Layer 3 reachability. Since ping to 192.168.1.100 already failed, tracert will likely also fail and does not provide information about active connections or listening ports. It is useful for identifying where packets are dropped along the path, but not for verifying active sessions.
Why candidates choose this
Students may think tracert is the next logical step after a failed ping to see where the failure occurs. However, the question specifically asks about verifying current network connections and active sessions, which tracert does not show.
✗ping -t 192.168.1.100Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The ping -t command sends continuous ICMP echo requests to test reachability over time, but it does not reveal connection states or listening ports. Since ping already failed, continuous pings will also fail and do not help identify issues with active TCP sessions to the web server.
Why candidates choose this
Students might use continuous ping to monitor if the server becomes reachable later, but this does not provide information about active connections or sessions. The question asks for a command to verify current network connections, which ping does not do.
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
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between Layer 3 connectivity (ping/tracert) and Layer 4 session verification (netstat), trapping candidates who assume that successful ping implies full application-layer connectivity.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This command displays detailed IP configuration, including DNS servers and MAC addresses, which is useful for verifying addressing information but does not show active network connections or sessions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
`netstat -a` enumerates all sockets, including those in LISTEN, ESTABLISHED, SYN_SENT, and CLOSE_WAIT states, allowing the administrator to see if the client has attempted a TCP handshake to 192.168.1.100:80 and whether the connection is stuck in SYN_SENT (indicating a firewall or no response) or has failed. In real-world troubleshooting, a client that can ping a server but cannot access a web page often has a firewall on the server blocking TCP port 80/443, and `netstat -a` on the client will show the connection attempt in SYN_SENT, confirming the server is not responding to the TCP SYN.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — This question tests Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: netstat -a — The `netstat -a` command displays all active TCP/UDP connections and listening ports, which is the most direct way to verify current network sessions and identify issues such as blocked ports, half-open connections, or failed connection attempts. While ping failure could result from network-layer filtering (e.g., ACLs blocking ICMP), `netstat -a` reveals whether the client has initiated a TCP connection to 192.168.1.100 and its current state (e.g., SYN_SENT, ESTABLISHED, TIME_WAIT), helping to isolate transport-layer or application-layer problems.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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.
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