Which statement best explains why a host may still fail even when the DNS server is correct, if the default gateway is wrong?
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.
Best answer
Because name resolution can succeed while remote forwarding still fails due to the wrong gateway.
This is correct because DNS and default gateway serve different parts of the connectivity path.
Distractor review
Because DNS automatically replaces the need for any gateway.
This is wrong because DNS does not forward packets.
Distractor review
Because a wrong gateway changes the hostname of the server.
This is wrong because gateway configuration does not alter hostnames.
Distractor review
Because hosts use the default gateway only for local traffic.
This is wrong because the default gateway is for off-subnet traffic.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
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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?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Because name resolution can succeed while remote forwarding still fails due to the wrong gateway. — A correct DNS server alone does not provide packet forwarding to remote networks. In practical terms, name resolution may succeed, but the host still needs the correct default gateway to reach destinations outside the local subnet. If the gateway is wrong, the host may know the right IP address and still fail to connect. This is a useful host-troubleshooting reasoning question because it separates naming from forwarding.
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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