Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Which statement best describes why a host might receive a correct IP address from DHCP but still fail to reach websites by name?
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
Because DNS service may still be missing, wrong, or unreachable even if DHCP addressing succeeds.
This is correct because hostname access depends on name resolution as well as basic IP configuration.
B
Distractor review
Because DHCP automatically disables DNS on modern hosts.
This is wrong because DHCP often helps provide DNS settings rather than disabling them.
C
Distractor review
Because websites by name require PPP authentication on the host.
This is wrong because PPP authentication is unrelated to normal hostname resolution for web access.
D
Distractor review
Because a DHCP address can be used only for local subnet traffic.
This is wrong because DHCP-assigned addresses can be used normally for routed communication when the rest of the configuration is correct.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A frequent exam trap is to assume that if a host receives a correct IP address from DHCP, all network services, including website access by name, must work. This mistake overlooks the fact that DHCP provides multiple parameters, and DNS configuration can be missing, incorrect, or unreachable. Candidates might select answers suggesting DHCP disables DNS or that IP addresses only work locally, which are incorrect. The trap is confusing IP address assignment with full network service availability, leading to wrong conclusions about connectivity issues.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a network management protocol used to automate the process of configuring devices on IP networks. DHCP assigns IP addresses, subnet masks, default gateways, and other network parameters to client devices, enabling them to communicate on the network. However, DHCP also typically provides DNS server information, which is crucial for resolving human-readable domain names into IP addresses. Without proper DNS configuration, even a host with a valid IP address cannot resolve website names to their corresponding IPs. When a host receives an IP address from DHCP, it also obtains DNS server addresses that the client uses to perform name resolution. If the DNS server information is missing, incorrect, or unreachable, the host will fail to translate domain names into IP addresses, resulting in an inability to reach websites by name. This failure occurs despite the host having a valid IP address and network connectivity, highlighting the importance of DNS as a complementary service to DHCP in IP services. A common exam trap is assuming that obtaining an IP address via DHCP guarantees full network functionality, including name resolution. In reality, DHCP success only confirms IP configuration, not DNS availability or correctness. Practically, a host might ping an IP address successfully but fail to access websites by name due to DNS issues. This distinction is critical for troubleshooting and understanding how IP services interrelate in Cisco networking environments.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- DHCP assigns IP addresses and other network parameters, including DNS server addresses, to hosts for proper network communication.
- A host with a valid DHCP-assigned IP address can still fail to resolve domain names if DNS server information is missing or incorrect.
- DNS translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses, enabling hosts to access websites by name rather than by numeric IP.
- Successful DHCP IP address assignment does not guarantee DNS service availability or correctness, which is essential for name-based access.
- Hosts rely on DNS server addresses provided by DHCP to perform name resolution; unreachable DNS servers cause name resolution failures.
- Troubleshooting connectivity issues requires verifying both IP configuration from DHCP and DNS server reachability and correctness.
- DHCP does not disable DNS on hosts; instead, it typically provides DNS server information as part of the IP configuration.
- A DHCP-assigned IP address is valid for both local subnet and routed traffic, assuming correct gateway and routing configurations.
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?
DHCP assigns IP addresses and other network parameters, including DNS server addresses, to hosts for proper network communication.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Because DNS service may still be missing, wrong, or unreachable even if DHCP addressing succeeds. — The host may still fail by name because DHCP-provided addressing is only part of the connectivity picture. In practical terms, the client can have a valid IP address and even a valid gateway, but if DNS information is missing, wrong, or unreachable, name-based access still fails. That means DHCP success does not guarantee application usability by hostname. This is an important user-facing troubleshooting distinction because many people treat 'got an IP address' as if it means every service should work automatically.
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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