easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
200-901 Practice Question: What does a TTL of 128 indicate about the…
Exhibit
C:\> ping 192.168.1.1
Pinging 192.168.1.1 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Ping statistics for 192.168.1.1:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 0ms, Maximum = 0ms, Average = 0msWhat does a TTL of 128 indicate about the destination host?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the common misconception that TTL values are set by routers or switches, rather than by the originating host's operating system, leading candidates to incorrectly associate a TTL of 128 with a specific network device instead of a Windows host.
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
✓
It is a Windows host
The Time-to-Live (TTL) value in an IP packet is decremented by each router that forwards the packet. When a host receives a packet, the remaining TTL value can indicate the operating system of the source that sent it. Windows operating systems typically set the initial TTL to 128, so a TTL of 128 in a received packet strongly suggests the destination host (the sender of that packet) is a Windows host.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
It is a network switch
Why it's wrong here
Switches operate at Layer 2 and do not typically originate pings; if they do, they often use TTL 255.
- ✗
It is a Cisco router
Why it's wrong here
Cisco devices typically send packets with TTL 255, not 128.
- ✓
It is a Windows host
Why this is correct
Windows uses a default TTL of 128.
- ✗
It is a Linux host
Why it's wrong here
Linux and macOS typically use a default TTL of 64.
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JA
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.