easyMultiple Choice
220-1201 Practice Question: A user complains that they cannot access any…
A user complains that they cannot access any websites, but they can ping other devices on the local network by IP address. The network uses DHCP and DNS servers. Which protocol is most likely failing?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse DNS with DHCP: candidates might think that since the network uses DHCP, a DHCP failure would cause the issue, but the ability to ping by IP proves that DHCP has already assigned an IP address. The exam often tests the distinction between name resolution and IP connectivity.
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
✓
DNS
The user can ping local devices by IP, which proves that the local network connectivity and ICMP are working. However, they cannot access websites, which requires domain name resolution. Since the network uses DNS servers, the most likely failure is DNS, as it translates domain names (e.g., www.example.com) into IP addresses. Without DNS, the user cannot resolve website names, even though IP connectivity is fine.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
DHCP
Why it's wrong here
The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is responsible for automatically assigning IP addresses, subnet masks, default gateways, and DNS server addresses to network devices. Since the user can successfully ping local IP addresses, it indicates that their device has already obtained a valid IP configuration and has basic network connectivity within the local segment. Therefore, a DHCP failure, which would typically prevent any network communication, is not the root cause of the inability to access websites.
- ✓
DNS
Why this is correct
The Domain Name System (DNS) is crucial for translating human-readable domain names (like "google.com") into numerical IP addresses that computers use to locate resources on the internet. If DNS resolution fails, the web browser cannot determine the IP address of the website's server, preventing it from initiating a connection. This explains why a user might be able to ping local IP addresses (which don't require DNS) but cannot access websites by their domain names.
- ✗
HTTP
Why it's wrong here
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is an application layer protocol specifically designed for transmitting web pages and other web content. While essential for web browsing, HTTP communication can only commence after the client has successfully resolved the website's domain name to an IP address via DNS and established a connection to that IP. If the name resolution process fails, the HTTP request cannot even be directed to the correct server, indicating the problem lies at a lower, foundational layer, not with HTTP itself.
- ✗
ICMP
Why it's wrong here
The Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) is a network layer protocol used for sending control messages and error reports, most notably by the `ping` utility to test network connectivity and reachability. The fact that the user can successfully ping local IP addresses confirms that ICMP is functioning correctly and that basic IP-level communication is established. An inability to access websites while ping works suggests an issue with a higher-level service, such as name resolution, rather than a fundamental problem with ICMP.
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JA
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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