Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Which statement best describes the main operational difference between DNS and DHCP?
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 resolves names, while DHCP provides automatic IP configuration.
This is correct because it captures the main role of each service.
B
Distractor review
DNS provides subnet masks, while DHCP resolves hostnames.
This is wrong because it reverses the roles of the two services.
C
Distractor review
Both are routing protocols used only by routers.
This is wrong because neither DNS nor DHCP is a routing protocol.
D
Distractor review
Neither service is useful on end-user networks.
This is wrong because both are widely used on end-user networks.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common exam trap is reversing the functions of DNS and DHCP, such as thinking DHCP resolves hostnames or that DNS provides subnet masks. This confusion leads to incorrect answers because DHCP is responsible for automatic IP configuration, including subnet masks, while DNS strictly resolves domain names to IP addresses. Misunderstanding these roles can cause candidates to select options that incorrectly swap these functions, which is a frequent mistake in CCNA exams.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Domain Name System (DNS) is a hierarchical, distributed database that translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses, enabling users and applications to locate devices and services on a network. DNS operates primarily at the application layer and is essential for name resolution, allowing users to access resources using easy-to-remember names instead of numeric IP addresses. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a network management protocol that automatically assigns IP addresses and other network configuration parameters, such as subnet masks, default gateways, and DNS server addresses, to devices on a network. DHCP simplifies network administration by dynamically leasing IP addresses to clients, preventing address conflicts and manual configuration errors. The exam trap arises when candidates confuse the roles of DNS and DHCP, mistakenly believing both provide similar functions or that DHCP resolves names. In practical Cisco networking, DNS is critical for name resolution services, while DHCP is vital for IP address management. Understanding this distinction helps troubleshoot issues related to connectivity (DHCP) versus name resolution (DNS).
KKey Concepts to Remember
- DNS resolves human-readable domain names into IP addresses to enable network resource location and communication.
- DHCP automatically assigns IP addresses and network configuration parameters to clients, simplifying network management.
- DNS operates at the application layer and is essential for name resolution but does not assign IP addresses.
- DHCP leases IP addresses dynamically to prevent conflicts and reduce manual configuration errors in IP networks.
- Troubleshooting connectivity issues often requires distinguishing between DHCP-related address assignment problems and DNS-related name resolution failures.
- Cisco devices use DHCP clients to obtain IP configuration and DNS clients to resolve names, reflecting their distinct roles.
- Confusing DHCP and DNS functions is a common exam mistake that can be avoided by focusing on their primary operational differences.
- Both DNS and DHCP are critical IP services but solve fundamentally different networking problems: name resolution versus IP configuration.
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.
Related practice questions
Related 200-301 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
CCNA subnetting practice questions
Practise IPv4 subnetting, CIDR, masks, host ranges and subnet selection.
CCNA OSPF practice questions
Practise OSPF neighbours, router IDs, metrics, areas and routing-table interpretation.
CCNA VLAN practice questions
Practise VLANs, access ports, trunks, allowed VLANs and switching scenarios.
CCNA STP practice questions
Practise spanning tree, root bridge election, port roles and STP troubleshooting.
CCNA EtherChannel practice questions
Practise LACP, PAgP, port-channel behaviour and bundle requirements.
CCNA ACL practice questions
Practise standard and extended ACLs, permit/deny logic and traffic filtering.
CCNA NAT practice questions
Practise static NAT, dynamic NAT, PAT and inside/outside address translation.
CCNA DHCP practice questions
Practise DHCP scopes, relay, leases and troubleshooting.
CCNA show ip route practice questions
Practise routing-table output, longest-prefix match, AD and route selection.
CCNA show interfaces trunk practice questions
Practise trunk verification and VLAN forwarding across switches.
CCNA wireless security practice questions
Practise WLAN security, authentication and wireless architecture concepts.
CCNA IPv6 practice questions
Practise IPv6 addressing, routes, neighbour discovery and common IPv6 exam traps.
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 domain names into IP addresses to enable network resource location and communication.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: DNS resolves names, while DHCP provides automatic IP configuration. — DNS resolves names into IP-related information, while DHCP automatically provides IP configuration to clients. In practical terms, DNS helps users and applications find systems by name, and DHCP helps devices join the network with addresses, masks, gateways, and often DNS settings. They are both infrastructure services, but they solve different problems. This distinction is important because troubleshooting often depends on recognizing whether the issue is address assignment or name 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.
Discussion
Loading comments…
Sign in to join the discussion.