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220-1201 Practice Question: That their computer cannot connect to the…
A user reports that their computer cannot connect to the internet after being moved to a new office. The computer receives an IP address starting with 169.254.x.x. Which network service is failing to provide a valid IP configuration?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common misconception on the CompTIA A+ exam is that a 169.254.x.x address indicates a DNS failure, but DNS is only involved in name resolution after a valid IP is obtained, not in IP address assignment.
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
✓
DHCP
The 169.254.x.x address is an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address, assigned by Windows when a DHCP server is unreachable. Since the computer cannot obtain a valid IP configuration from a DHCP server, the DHCP service is failing. DNS, NAT, and ARP do not assign IP addresses dynamically.
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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DNS
Why it's wrong here
DNS (Domain Name System) is responsible for resolving human-readable domain names into numerical IP addresses. However, for a computer to perform a DNS lookup, it must first have a valid IP address and established network connectivity. The presence of a 169.254.x.x address indicates a fundamental failure to obtain an IP address, meaning the computer cannot even initiate communication to a DNS server, making DNS irrelevant to this initial connectivity problem.
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DHCP
Why this is correct
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is the correct answer because it is the network protocol responsible for automatically assigning IP addresses, subnet masks, default gateways, and DNS server information to devices on a network. A 169.254.x.x IP address, known as an APIPA (Automatic Private IP Addressing) address, is self-assigned by the operating system when a DHCP server is unavailable or fails to respond. This clearly indicates a failure in the DHCP process, preventing the computer from obtaining a valid network configuration.
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NAT
Why it's wrong here
NAT (Network Address Translation) is a method used by routers to modify network address information in the IP header of packets, primarily to allow multiple devices on a private network to share a single public IP address for internet access. NAT only becomes relevant once a device has successfully obtained a valid IP address and is attempting to communicate with external networks. Since the computer in question has not even acquired a local IP address, NAT is not involved in this initial connectivity issue.
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ARP
Why it's wrong here
ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) is used to resolve an IP address to its corresponding physical MAC (Media Access Control) address on a local network segment. When a device needs to communicate with another device on the same subnet, it uses ARP to discover the destination's hardware address. While essential for local communication, ARP operates at a lower layer and assumes the device already possesses an IP address. It is not involved in the initial process of obtaining an IP address from a server.
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
Network Configuration: IP, DNS, DHCP
Key term
Fully Qualified Domain Name
A Fully Qualified Domain Name is the complete and unambiguous website or server name that includes the host, domain, and top-level domain, leaving no room for guesswork.
Key term
NAT
NAT (Network Address Translation) is a method that allows multiple devices on a private network to share a single public IP address when accessing the internet.
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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.