The answer is ipconfig /all and nslookup www.courseiva.com. The ipconfig /all command displays the full TCP/IP configuration, including whether DHCP is enabled, the assigned IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and the DHCP server address, allowing you to verify DHCP client IP assignment directly. The nslookup command then queries the configured DNS server to resolve a domain name to an IP address, confirming that DNS resolution is working end-to-end. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between commands that verify layer 3 addressing versus those that test name resolution; a common trap is choosing ping 127.0.0.1, which only validates the local TCP/IP stack and does nothing to verify DHCP or DNS. Remember the memory tip: “IP from DHCP, name from DNS—ipconfig shows the lease, nslookup finds the address.”
CCNA Network Infrastructure and Connectivity Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network infrastructure and connectivity. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Which TWO commands would a network administrator use to verify that a client has received a valid IP address from a DHCP server and can resolve domain names to IP addresses?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
ipconfig /all
Option A (ipconfig /all) is correct because it displays the full TCP/IP configuration for all network adapters, including whether DHCP is enabled, the assigned IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and the DHCP server address. This allows the administrator to confirm that the client received a valid IP address from the DHCP server. Option D (nslookup www.courseiva.com) is correct because it queries the configured DNS server to resolve the domain name to an IP address, verifying that name resolution is working. Option B (ping 127.0.0.1) only tests the local TCP/IP stack and does not verify DHCP assignment or DNS resolution. Option C (tracert 8.8.8.8) uses an IP address directly and does not test domain-name resolution. Option E (arp -a) displays the ARP cache, which is unrelated to DHCP or DNS.
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 this is correct
Displays full TCP/IP configuration, confirming DHCP-assigned IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS servers.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
ping 127.0.0.1
Why it's wrong here
This tests the local TCP/IP stack only, not DHCP or DNS functionality.
✗
tracert 8.8.8.8
Why it's wrong here
Traces the route to an external IP, but does not show local IP configuration or DNS resolution.
✓
nslookup www.courseiva.com
Why this is correct
Queries the configured DNS server to resolve a domain name to an IP address, confirming DNS functionality.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
arp -a
Why it's wrong here
Displays the ARP cache of IP-to-MAC address mappings; does not show DHCP or DNS information.
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.
✓ipconfig /allCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
Displays full TCP/IP configuration, confirming DHCP-assigned IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS servers.
✗ping 127.0.0.1Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The 'ping 127.0.0.1' command tests only the local TCP/IP stack by sending packets to the loopback address. It does not verify DHCP configuration or DNS resolution, as it does not involve any network communication beyond the local host.
Why candidates choose this
Students may mistakenly think that a successful ping to the loopback address confirms overall network connectivity, including DHCP and DNS. However, it only verifies that the TCP/IP protocol is installed and functioning on the local machine.
✗tracert 8.8.8.8Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
'tracert 8.8.8.8' traces the route to an external IP address, which can confirm IP connectivity but does not display the client's own IP configuration or test DNS resolution. It uses IP addresses, not domain names, so it bypasses DNS entirely.
Why candidates choose this
Since 'tracert' can show network path and connectivity, test-takers might assume it also verifies DHCP and DNS. However, it does not provide information about the client's IP address or DNS server settings.
✗arp -aWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
'arp -a' displays the ARP cache, which maps IP addresses to MAC addresses on the local network. It does not show DHCP-assigned IP configuration or DNS server information, and it does not test DNS resolution.
Why candidates choose this
Because ARP is involved in local network communication, some students might think it relates to IP address assignment or DNS. However, ARP operates at Layer 2 and is unrelated to DHCP or DNS functionality.
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 verifying local IP stack functionality (ping 127.0.0.1) versus verifying DHCP address assignment and DNS resolution, leading candidates to mistakenly choose loopback or traceroute commands that do not validate the specific requirements.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Traces the route to an external IP, but does not show local IP configuration or DNS resolution.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The ipconfig /all command retrieves DHCP lease information from the DHCP client service, which uses UDP ports 67 and 68 to communicate with the DHCP server. The nslookup command sends a DNS query (typically over UDP port 53) to the configured DNS resolver; if the resolver returns an A or AAAA record, it confirms that the client can resolve domain names. In real-world scenarios, a client might have a valid IP address but fail DNS resolution due to a misconfigured DNS server or firewall blocking UDP 53, making both checks necessary.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 200-301 question in full detail.
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: ipconfig /all — Option A (ipconfig /all) is correct because it displays the full TCP/IP configuration for all network adapters, including whether DHCP is enabled, the assigned IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and the DHCP server address. This allows the administrator to confirm that the client received a valid IP address from the DHCP server. Option D (nslookup www.courseiva.com) is correct because it queries the configured DNS server to resolve the domain name to an IP address, verifying that name resolution is working. Option B (ping 127.0.0.1) only tests the local TCP/IP stack and does not verify DHCP assignment or DNS resolution. Option C (tracert 8.8.8.8) uses an IP address directly and does not test domain-name resolution. Option E (arp -a) displays the ARP cache, which is unrelated to DHCP or DNS.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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