easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
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?
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
This scenario isolates a DNS failure: local IP communication works, but name resolution fails. DNS translates domain names to IP addresses, so if it fails, web browsing by name will not work while local IP pings succeed.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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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.
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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.
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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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Related to this question
Learn chapter
Network Configuration: IP, DNS, DHCP
Key term
Ping
Ping is a network utility used to test whether a remote computer or device is reachable across an IP network and to measure the round-trip time of data packets.
Key term
DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) automatically assigns IP addresses and network settings to devices on a network, so they can communicate without manual configuration.
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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.