220-1201 Networking Practice Question
A technician is troubleshooting a workstation that can access local network resources but cannot reach any websites on the internet. The technician runs ipconfig and sees the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway are correct. Which of the following should the technician check NEXT?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming a physical or IP configuration problem when the symptom of local access but no internet access strongly points to DNS or default gateway issues; since the gateway is correct, DNS is the next logical check.
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 settings.
When local resources are accessible but internet websites are not, and IP configuration is correct, the most likely cause is DNS resolution failure. The technician should verify the DNS server settings. Other options are either irrelevant or would cause broader connectivity loss.
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 physical cable connection to the wall jack.
Why it's wrong here
A physical cable issue would prevent all network access, including local resources. Since the workstation can access local resources, the physical connection is working. The problem is specific to internet access, which points to a logical configuration issue like DNS or routing.
- ✗
The DHCP lease expiration time.
Why it's wrong here
The DHCP lease expiration would not cause a selective inability to reach the internet while local resources remain accessible. If the lease expired, the workstation would likely have no IP address or a self-assigned APIPA address. The ipconfig output shows correct IP configuration, so DHCP is not the issue.
- ✓
The DNS server settings.
Why this is correct
If the workstation can reach local resources but not internet websites, the issue is likely name resolution. The IP configuration is correct, so the next step is to verify DNS server settings. Incorrect DNS would prevent resolving domain names to IP addresses, causing web access to fail while local resources (accessed by IP or local name) still work.
- ✗
The MAC address of the NIC.
Why it's wrong here
The MAC address is a hardware identifier and does not affect the ability to reach the internet. If local resources are accessible, the NIC is functioning. Checking the MAC address would not resolve the issue. The problem is at a higher layer, likely DNS or firewall.
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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 CompTIA exam blueprint
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