The answer is 192.168.1.50. This address is valid because it falls within the 192.168.1.0/24 subnet—which spans from 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254—yet sits entirely outside the DHCP range of .100 to .200, ensuring no IP conflict with dynamically assigned devices. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your understanding of subnet boundaries and DHCP exclusion zones; a common trap is choosing an address like .201 (still inside the subnet but often mistakenly thought to be outside the pool) or .99 (which is inside the pool). The key concept is that a static IP outside DHCP range must be on the same subnet as the router, but not in the pool—so any address from .2 to .99 or .201 to .254 works, as long as it’s not already taken. Memory tip: think of the DHCP pool as a reserved “hotel block” of rooms; your static IP is a private room in the same building, just in a different hallway.
220-1201 Network Configuration Concepts Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network configuration concepts. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
A small office has a single router with four LAN ports. The network uses the 192.168.1.0/24 subnet, and the router's LAN IP is 192.168.1.1. A technician needs to add a new printer that must have a static IP address outside the DHCP range (192.168.1.100-192.168.1.200) but still be reachable by all devices. Which IP address should the technician assign to the printer?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
192.168.1.50
A static IP must be within the same subnet as the network but outside the DHCP pool to avoid conflicts. The subnet is 192.168.1.0/24, so valid addresses range from 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254, with the router at .1 and DHCP pool from .100 to .200. Addresses like .50 are outside the pool and within the subnet.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
192.168.1.150
Why it's wrong here
This address is inside the DHCP range (100-200), so it could be assigned by DHCP to another device, causing a conflict.
✓
192.168.1.50
Why this is correct
This address is within the subnet (1-254) but outside the DHCP pool (100-200), making it a safe static assignment.
This is a different subnet (10.0.0.0/24) and would not be reachable from the 192.168.1.x network without routing.
✗
192.168.2.50
Why it's wrong here
This address is on a different subnet (192.168.2.0/24) and would require a router to communicate with devices on 192.168.1.x.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 220-1201 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Network Configuration Concepts — This question tests Network Configuration Concepts — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 192.168.1.50 — A static IP must be within the same subnet as the network but outside the DHCP pool to avoid conflicts. The subnet is 192.168.1.0/24, so valid addresses range from 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254, with the router at .1 and DHCP pool from .100 to .200. Addresses like .50 are outside the pool and within the subnet.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 220-1201 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
About these practice questions
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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 small office has a single router with four LAN ports. The network uses 192.168.1.0/24. A new printer is assigned a static IP of 192.168.1.256. What will happen when the printer is connected?
easy
A.The printer will work but only with devices that have a static IP
B.The printer will automatically obtain a valid IP via DHCP
✓ C.The printer will not be able to communicate on the network
D.The printer will cause an IP address conflict with the router
Why C: This question tests knowledge of IP address ranges and valid addresses. The address 192.168.1.256 is invalid because octets in IPv4 are limited to 0-255. The printer will not communicate on the network.
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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.
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