The answer is split tunneling misconfiguration, where the VPN client can access the internet but not internal network routing because no route to the 10.0.0.0/8 subnet is defined. When a remote user connects via VPN and receives an IP like 172.16.0.5, while the internal network uses 10.0.0.0/8, the client’s traffic destined for 10.1.1.50 has no path—split tunneling sends only internet traffic through the VPN, leaving internal traffic un-routed. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of VPN routing and subnet mismatch; a common trap is assuming the VPN always routes all traffic, but split tunneling requires explicit route entries for private subnets. Remember the key clue: if the client gets a different subnet than the internal network, check the routing table. Memory tip: “Split sends you to the web, but forgets the private net.”
220-1101 Network Troubleshooting Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network troubleshooting. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 company's network uses a 10.0.0.0/8 private IP scheme. A remote user connects via VPN and gets an IP of 172.16.0.5. They can access the internet but cannot reach internal servers at 10.1.1.50. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The VPN client is using split tunneling and no route to 10.0.0.0/8 is defined.
The VPN client receives a different subnet (172.16.0.0) than the internal network (10.0.0.0). This is a routing issue—the VPN client's traffic to the internal network may not be routed correctly, or split tunneling is misconfigured. The most common fix is to ensure the VPN routes include the internal 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.
✗
The internal server's firewall is blocking the VPN IP range.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect—this is possible but less likely; the issue is typically routing, not firewall rules.
✓
The VPN client is using split tunneling and no route to 10.0.0.0/8 is defined.
Why this is correct
Correct—split tunneling sends only specific traffic through the VPN; without a route to the internal subnet, traffic goes to the internet instead.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Incorrect—the user got an IP, so the scope is not exhausted; this would not cause routing issues.
✗
The user's DNS server is set to a public DNS like 8.8.8.8.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect—DNS is for name resolution; the user cannot ping the IP, so DNS is not the issue.
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 Troubleshooting — This question tests Network Troubleshooting — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The VPN client is using split tunneling and no route to 10.0.0.0/8 is defined. — The VPN client receives a different subnet (172.16.0.0) than the internal network (10.0.0.0). This is a routing issue—the VPN client's traffic to the internal network may not be routed correctly, or split tunneling is misconfigured. The most common fix is to ensure the VPN routes include the internal 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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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