200-901 Network Fundamentals Practice Question
A network engineer is designing a subnetting scheme for a company that requires 5 subnets from the 192.168.1.0/24 network. What subnet mask should be used, and how many usable hosts per subnet will be available?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is forgetting to subtract 2 for the network and broadcast addresses, or miscalculating the borrowed bits; candidates often pick /26 (4 subnets) thinking it's enough for 5, or choose a mask that gives too few hosts.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
255.255.255.224 with 30 usable hosts per subnet
To get 5 subnets from 192.168.1.0/24, you need to borrow 3 bits (2^3 = 8 subnets, which covers 5). Borrowing 3 bits extends the prefix from /24 to /27, giving a subnet mask of 255.255.255.224. Each /27 subnet has 32 addresses, and after subtracting the network and broadcast addresses, 30 usable host addresses remain.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
255.255.255.192 with 62 usable hosts per subnet
Why it's wrong here
A /26 mask yields only 4 subnets, short of the 5 required, so the scheme cannot accommodate the stated topology. It is tempting because /26 is the standard choice when exactly 4 subnets with maximum hosts are needed, but the requirement here is 5 subnets, forcing a /27.
- ✓
255.255.255.224 with 30 usable hosts per subnet
Why this is correct
Borrowing three host bits gives 2^3 = 8 subnets, satisfying the five-subnet requirement, with mask 255.255.255.224. Each subnet then has 2^5 - 2 = 30 usable host addresses after reserving the network and broadcast addresses.
- ✗
255.255.255.240 with 14 usable hosts per subnet
Why it's wrong here
A /28 mask yields 16 subnets, exceeding the 5 required, and wastes address space by limiting each subnet to 14 hosts. It is tempting when many small segments are planned, but the stem specifies 5 subnets, making /27 the precise fit.
- ✗
255.255.255.248 with 6 usable hosts per subnet
Why it's wrong here
A /29 mask yields 32 subnets with only 6 usable hosts each, far more subnets than the 5 required and too few hosts for typical departmental use. It is tempting for point-to-point links, but the stem's 5-subnet requirement points to /27.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
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