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220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is troubleshooting a network where…
A technician is troubleshooting a network where users can access the internet but cannot reach a specific internal web server by its hostname. Pinging the server's IP address works. What is the most likely issue?
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 DNS server does not have a record for the server's hostname.
This question tests DNS resolution. If the IP works but the hostname does not, the problem is with DNS—either the server's A record is missing or the DNS server is not responding for that zone.
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 web server's firewall is blocking ICMP.
Why it's wrong here
If the web server's firewall were blocking ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) traffic, then attempts to ping the server by its IP address would fail. Since the problem description implies that users can successfully reach the server using its IP address, it confirms that basic IP connectivity, including ICMP, is not being blocked by the server's firewall. The issue is specific to hostname resolution, not fundamental network reachability.
- ✗
The DHCP server is not assigning correct IP addresses.
Why it's wrong here
A malfunctioning DHCP server would typically lead to widespread network connectivity problems for client devices, as they would either receive incorrect IP configurations or no IP address at all. This would manifest as an inability to access the internet or any network resources, regardless of whether an IP address or hostname is used. The scenario describes a specific issue with hostname resolution to a single server, not a general client IP configuration failure.
- ✓
The DNS server does not have a record for the server's hostname.
Why this is correct
This is the correct explanation. The Domain Name System (DNS) is responsible for translating human-readable hostnames into numerical IP addresses. If users can successfully connect to the server using its IP address but fail when using its hostname, it indicates that the underlying network connectivity is sound, but the DNS server is unable to provide the corresponding IP address for that specific hostname. This is a classic symptom of a missing or incorrect A record (Address record) on the DNS server.
- ✗
The network switch is dropping packets to the server.
Why it's wrong here
If the network switch were dropping packets destined for the server, then all network communication attempts to that server would fail, regardless of whether the server is addressed by its IP address or its hostname. The fact that users can successfully connect to the server using its IP address confirms that the network path, including the switch, is functioning correctly and reliably forwarding packets to the server.
Visual reference
Quick reference
Common DNS Record Types
| Record | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A | IPv4 address mapping | example.com → 93.184.216.34 |
| AAAA | IPv6 address mapping | example.com → 2606:2800::1 |
| CNAME | Alias to another hostname | www → example.com |
| MX | Mail server for domain | example.com → mail.example.com (priority 10) |
| TXT | Text data (SPF, DKIM, verification) | v=spf1 include:_spf.example.com ~all |
| NS | Authoritative name servers | example.com NS ns1.example.com |
| PTR | Reverse DNS (IP → hostname) | 34.216.184.93.in-addr.arpa → example.com |
| SOA | Zone authority record | Primary NS, admin email, serial, TTL defaults |
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 220-1201 exam.