mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
DNS for Hostname Resolution in Windows Domain
A technician is configuring a new file server and wants to ensure that when users type \\fileserver in File Explorer, it resolves to the correct IP address. The network uses a Windows domain with Active Directory. Which network service should the technician configure to allow hostname resolution for this server?
Quick Answer
The answer is DNS, because in a Windows domain, DNS is the core service responsible for hostname resolution, mapping a server name like \\fileserver to its correct IP address. When a technician adds an A record for the file server in the domain’s DNS zone, Active Directory clients can instantly resolve the hostname without relying on broadcasts or legacy services. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how Windows domains centralize name resolution—a common trap is confusing DNS with DHCP (which assigns IPs but does not resolve names) or WINS (a deprecated NetBIOS resolver). Remember that in a domain environment, DNS is the authoritative directory for all host-to-IP mappings, making it the default answer for any server or client name resolution scenario. A helpful memory tip: “DNS Does Name Service” for domain-joined devices.
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates may mistakenly choose WINS because they recall it is used for legacy NetBIOS name resolution, but in a modern Active Directory domain, DNS is the required and default service for hostname resolution.
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
DNS (Domain Name System) is the correct service because it resolves hostnames (like \\fileserver) to IP addresses in a Windows domain environment. When a user types \\fileserver in File Explorer, the client queries DNS to obtain the server's IP address, enabling SMB file sharing. Active Directory relies on DNS for service location and name resolution, making it the mandatory service for this task.
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
DHCP assigns IP addresses dynamically but does not provide hostname resolution.
- ✓
DNS
Why this is correct
DNS resolves hostnames like 'fileserver' to IP addresses. Adding an A record in the DNS zone will allow users to connect via the hostname.
- ✗
WINS
Why it's wrong here
WINS resolves NetBIOS names, but in a modern Windows domain, DNS is the preferred and more scalable solution.
- ✗
NAT
Why it's wrong here
NAT translates private IPs to public IPs and is not involved in internal hostname resolution.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every 220-1201 question from scratch — 972 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on 220-1201
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A customer reports that their laptop can connect to the internet via a wired connection but cannot access any network shares or printers by hostname. They can ping the IP address of the file server. Which network service is most likely misconfigured?
easy- A.DHCP
- ✓ B.DNS
- C.NAT
- D.ARP
Why B: The user can ping the file server by IP address, which confirms that basic IP connectivity (Layer 3) is working. However, they cannot access network shares or printers by hostname, which indicates that the system cannot resolve those hostnames to IP addresses. DNS (Domain Name System) is the service responsible for translating hostnames to IP addresses, so a misconfigured DNS server or client DNS settings would cause exactly this symptom.
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.