- A
TCP
Correct. HTTP uses TCP.
- B
ICMP
Why wrong: ICMP is used for diagnostics like ping.
- C
IP
Why wrong: IP is a network layer protocol.
- D
UDP
Why wrong: UDP is unreliable and not used by HTTP.
Question 696 of 1,000
200-901 Network Fundamentals Practice Question
This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of network fundamentals. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which transport layer protocol is used by HTTP and guarantees reliable delivery?
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
✓
TCP
HTTP relies on TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) as its transport layer protocol because TCP provides reliable, connection-oriented data delivery. TCP ensures that all HTTP requests and responses are delivered in order, without loss or duplication, by using acknowledgments, retransmissions, and sequence numbers. This reliability is essential for HTTP, which expects complete and correct data transfer for web pages and resources.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
TCP
- ✗
ICMP
Why it's wrong here
ICMP is used for diagnostics like ping.
- ✗
IP
Why it's wrong here
IP is a network layer protocol.
- ✗
UDP
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between transport layer protocols by pairing HTTP with TCP, but the trap here is that candidates may confuse HTTP's use of TCP with other protocols like UDP (used by DNS or VoIP) or think IP provides reliability, when in fact IP only handles routing and fragmentation without delivery guarantees.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
TCP achieves reliability through a sliding window mechanism, sequence numbers, and cumulative acknowledgments (ACKs), as defined in RFC 793. If a segment is lost, TCP retransmits it after a timeout or upon receiving duplicate ACKs (fast retransmit). In real-world scenarios, HTTP/2 and HTTP/3 still rely on reliable transport—HTTP/2 uses TCP, while HTTP/3 uses QUIC (which runs over UDP but adds its own reliability layer), but the classic HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 over TCP remain the standard for guaranteed delivery.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 200-901 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Visual reference
Quick reference
OSI Model Reference
| Layer | Name | PDU | Key Protocols / Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Application | Data | HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, SMTP, FTP, SSH |
| 6 | Presentation | Data | TLS / SSL, JPEG, ASCII encoding |
| 5 | Session | Data | NetBIOS, RPC, SIP |
| 4 | Transport | Segment / Datagram | TCP, UDP |
| 3 | Network | Packet | IP, ICMP, OSPF — Routers |
| 2 | Data Link | Frame | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, PPP — Switches, Bridges |
| 1 | Physical | Bits | Cables, NICs, Hubs, Repeaters |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-901 question test?
Network Fundamentals — This question tests Network Fundamentals — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: TCP — HTTP relies on TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) as its transport layer protocol because TCP provides reliable, connection-oriented data delivery. TCP ensures that all HTTP requests and responses are delivered in order, without loss or duplication, by using acknowledgments, retransmissions, and sequence numbers. This reliability is essential for HTTP, which expects complete and correct data transfer for web pages and resources.
What should I do if I get this 200-901 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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