Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Which service would a client most directly rely on to convert `server.example.com` into an IP address?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Best answer
DNS
This is correct because DNS resolves hostnames into IP information.
B
Distractor review
ARP
This is wrong because ARP resolves local IPv4 addresses to MAC addresses, not hostnames to IPs.
C
Distractor review
NTP
This is wrong because NTP synchronizes time rather than resolving names.
D
Distractor review
CDP
This is wrong because CDP is a neighbor discovery protocol, not a hostname-resolution service.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A frequent exam trap is mistaking ARP for DNS because both involve address resolution. However, ARP only resolves IPv4 addresses to MAC addresses within the same local network segment and does not translate hostnames to IP addresses. Candidates might also confuse NTP or CDP as name resolution services, but NTP is for time synchronization, and CDP discovers directly connected Cisco devices. Misunderstanding these roles leads to selecting incorrect answers, especially since the question specifically asks about converting a hostname to an IP address, which only DNS performs.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
The Domain Name System (DNS) is a fundamental IP service that translates human-readable domain names like server.example.com into IP addresses required for network communication. DNS operates in a hierarchical, distributed database structure, allowing clients to query DNS servers to resolve hostnames into IPv4 or IPv6 addresses. This resolution process enables users and applications to use memorable names instead of numeric IP addresses, simplifying network access and management. In the context of Cisco networking and the CCNA exam, DNS resolution is critical for client devices to initiate communication with servers or other network resources. When a client needs to connect to a hostname, it sends a DNS query to a configured DNS server, which responds with the corresponding IP address. This process is distinct from other IP services such as ARP, which resolves IP addresses to MAC addresses on a local subnet, or NTP, which synchronizes time. Understanding the specific role of DNS in name resolution is essential for configuring and troubleshooting network connectivity. A common exam trap is confusing DNS with ARP or other protocols that resolve addresses but operate at different layers or scopes. While ARP resolves IPv4 addresses to MAC addresses on the local network segment, DNS resolves hostnames to IP addresses across networks. Practically, DNS enables scalable and user-friendly network access, whereas ARP supports local data-link layer communication. Recognizing this distinction helps avoid errors in both exam scenarios and real-world Cisco network configurations.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- DNS resolves human-readable hostnames into IP addresses, enabling devices to communicate using domain names instead of numeric IPs.
- A client sends DNS queries to configured DNS servers to obtain IP address information for a given hostname.
- ARP resolves IPv4 addresses to MAC addresses only within the local subnet and does not perform hostname resolution.
- NTP synchronizes time across network devices and does not participate in address or hostname resolution.
- CDP discovers directly connected Cisco devices and does not provide any IP address or hostname translation services.
- DNS operates at the application layer and is essential for scalable and user-friendly network communication.
- Understanding the distinct roles of DNS, ARP, NTP, and CDP prevents common mistakes in IP services questions on the CCNA exam.
- Clients rely on DNS to translate hostnames into IP addresses before initiating any IP-based communication.
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.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A router learns the same prefix from both OSPF and EIGRP. Which route is installed by default?
Question 2
A router shows this output: R1#show ip ospf neighbor Neighbor ID Pri State Dead Time Address Interface 10.1.1.2 1 FULL/DR 00:00:34 192.168.12.2 GigabitEthernet0/0 10.1.1.3 1 2WAY/DROTHER 00:00:39 192.168.12.3 GigabitEthernet0/0 Which statement is correct?
Question 3
What is the OSPF metric called?
Question 4
A non-root switch has two uplinks toward the root bridge. One path has a lower total STP cost than the other. What role will the lower-cost uplink have?
Question 5
A router interface applies this ACL inbound: 10 deny tcp any any eq 80 20 permit ip any any A user reports that web browsing to a server by IP address fails, but ping works. Which statement best explains the behavior?
Question 6
A router learns route 198.51.100.0/24 from OSPF with AD 110 and also has a static route to the same prefix configured with AD 150. Which route is installed?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
DNS resolves human-readable hostnames into IP addresses, enabling devices to communicate using domain names instead of numeric IPs.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: DNS — The client relies on DNS for name resolution. In plain language, DNS is the service that lets devices and users use readable names instead of memorizing numeric IP addresses. When the client needs to reach `server.example.com`, DNS helps translate that hostname into the IP-related information needed for actual communication. This is different from DHCP, which supplies address configuration, and from NTP, which synchronizes time. It is also different from ARP, which resolves local IPv4 addresses to MAC addresses. The correct answer is the one associated specifically with hostname resolution.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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