This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of networking tools. 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 customer reports that their new laptop can connect to websites using IP addresses but cannot resolve domain names like 'www.example.com'. Which networking tool should be used to verify the DNS server configuration on the laptop?
Why wrong: Ping tests basic connectivity to an IP address, not DNS configuration. It would succeed here, confirming the issue is DNS, not general connectivity.
B
ipconfig /all
This command displays all network adapter details, including DNS server addresses. It is the correct tool to check if the laptop has a valid DNS server configured.
C
nslookup www.example.com
Why wrong: Nslookup directly queries a DNS server for a domain. While useful for testing DNS resolution, it does not show the laptop's configured DNS servers unless you run it without arguments.
D
tracert 8.8.8.8
Why wrong: Tracert traces the route to an IP address, which is unrelated to DNS configuration. It would not reveal the DNS server settings.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
ipconfig /all
This scenario describes a DNS resolution failure—the device can reach IP addresses but not domain names. The `ipconfig /all` command on Windows displays the configured DNS servers, allowing verification. Tools like `ping` test connectivity, `nslookup` queries DNS, and `tracert` traces routes, but only `ipconfig /all` shows the DNS server addresses assigned to the interface.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
ping 8.8.8.8
Why it's wrong here
Ping tests basic connectivity to an IP address, not DNS configuration. It would succeed here, confirming the issue is DNS, not general connectivity.
✓
ipconfig /all
Why this is correct
This command displays all network adapter details, including DNS server addresses. It is the correct tool to check if the laptop has a valid DNS server configured.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
nslookup www.example.com
Why it's wrong here
Nslookup directly queries a DNS server for a domain. While useful for testing DNS resolution, it does not show the laptop's configured DNS servers unless you run it without arguments.
✗
tracert 8.8.8.8
Why it's wrong here
Tracert traces the route to an IP address, which is unrelated to DNS configuration. It would not reveal the DNS server settings.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Nslookup directly queries a DNS server for a domain. While useful for testing DNS resolution, it does not show the laptop's configured DNS servers unless you run it without arguments.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Networking Tools — This question tests Networking Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: ipconfig /all — This scenario describes a DNS resolution failure—the device can reach IP addresses but not domain names. The `ipconfig /all` command on Windows displays the configured DNS servers, allowing verification. Tools like `ping` test connectivity, `nslookup` queries DNS, and `tracert` traces routes, but only `ipconfig /all` shows the DNS server addresses assigned to the interface.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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