200-901 Network Fundamentals Practice Question
An engineer sees that a DNS query for 'www.example.com' returns a CNAME record. What does this mean?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that a CNAME record directly provides an IP address, when in fact it only provides an alias that requires further resolution.
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
✓
The domain is an alias for another domain
A CNAME (Canonical Name) record maps an alias domain name to another canonical domain name. When a DNS query for 'www.example.com' returns a CNAME record, it means 'www.example.com' is an alias for another domain (e.g., 'example.com'), and the resolver must perform a second query to obtain the actual A or AAAA record. This is defined in RFC 1035 and is used to simplify domain management.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The domain has multiple IP addresses
Why it's wrong here
A CNAME aliases one hostname to another canonical name; multiple IP addresses are returned by several A records, or one A record with multiple values. A CNAME is used when a hostname must follow another name, such as pointing www to a load balancer's DNS name.
- ✗
The domain uses IPv6
Why it's wrong here
IPv6 addressing is signalled by an AAAA record, not a CNAME. A CNAME simply maps one hostname to another canonical hostname, regardless of address family. It is chosen when a name must track another name, such as a CDN or load balancer endpoint.
- ✗
The IP address is directly provided
Why it's wrong here
A CNAME never returns an IP address; it returns another hostname that must then be resolved. Direct IP provision is the role of an A (IPv4) or AAAA (IPv6) record. CNAMEs are used to alias hostnames, for example mapping www to a provider's canonical endpoint.
- ✓
The domain is an alias for another domain
Why this is correct
A CNAME record points the queried name at a canonical name rather than an address, so resolution continues against that target. The queried domain therefore acts purely as an alias, holding no A or AAAA record of its own.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-901 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-901 exam.