220-1101 Networking Practice Question
A user reports that they can access the internet and browse websites normally, but they cannot access a shared network drive that is mapped to a static IP address (\\10.10.10.50\shared). The technician can successfully ping 10.10.10.50 from the user's computer. Which of the following should the technician check NEXT?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the distinction between ICMP-based connectivity (ping) and application-layer protocol access (SMB), leading candidates to incorrectly assume that a successful ping means all services are reachable.
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
✓
Verify the Windows Firewall settings on the file server
Since the user can ping the file server at 10.10.10.50, basic IP connectivity and ARP resolution are working. The issue is specific to accessing the SMB share, which is blocked at the transport layer. Windows Firewall on the file server, by default, blocks inbound SMB traffic (TCP 445) on Public network profiles, even though ICMP (ping) is allowed. Checking the firewall rules on the server is the logical next step.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Verify the Windows Firewall settings on the file server
Why this is correct
On the file server, Windows Firewall can independently permit ICMP (ping) while blocking TCP port 445, which SMB requires for file sharing. The inbound 'File and Printer Sharing (SMB-In)' rule must be enabled for the server's active network profile (Domain, Private, or Public), and the port 445 listener must be responsive. A successful ping only proves ICMP reachability, not that the SMB service is accessible through the firewall.
- ✗
Check the DNS settings on the user's computer
Why it's wrong here
Because the mapped drive is addressed by its IP address, the client machine never needs to resolve a hostname, so DNS is completely uninvolved in reaching the file server. Even if a UNC path with a hostname were used, the fact that ping succeeds indicates name resolution is working unless the ping was sent to an IP literal. There is no hint of a name-resolution failure; checking DNS here would be a distraction when the server's firewall is the more plausible cause.
When this WOULD be correct
A user cannot access a website by its domain name but can access it by IP address. The technician should check DNS settings on the user's computer to resolve the name resolution issue.
- ✗
Change the network profile on the user's computer from Public to Private
Why it's wrong here
While network profile can affect file sharing discovery, the user can already ping the server and the issue is server‑side. Changing the user's profile is unlikely to help if the server's firewall is blocking the traffic.
When this WOULD be correct
A user reports they cannot access any network resources (e.g., file shares, printers) on a local network, but internet access works. The technician finds the network profile is set to Public, which blocks local discovery and file sharing. Changing to Private would be the correct next step.
- ✗
Reset the user's password and reconnect the mapped drive
Why it's wrong here
A password issue, such as an expired or incorrect credential, would surface as an authentication challenge during the connection attempt or as an 'Access Denied' error after a TCP session is established. Here the failure occurs before any SMB handshake, and the user's ability to ping the server isolates the problem to network-level filtering rather than account authorization. Resetting the password would not alter firewall rules or open blocked ports, so it cannot resolve the reported symptom.
When this WOULD be correct
A user cannot access a mapped network drive after a password change, and other network functions work. The technician should reset the password and reconnect the drive to update cached credentials.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 220-1101 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Verify the Windows Firewall settings on the file serverCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
On the file server, Windows Firewall can independently permit ICMP (ping) while blocking TCP port 445, which SMB requires for file sharing. The inbound 'File and Printer Sharing (SMB-In)' rule must be enabled for the server's active network profile (Domain, Private, or Public), and the port 445 listener must be responsive. A successful ping only proves ICMP reachability, not that the SMB service is accessible through the firewall.
✗Check the DNS settings on the user's computerWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The user can access the internet and browse websites, indicating DNS resolution is working. The issue is with accessing a mapped drive via IP address, and the technician can ping the server, so DNS is not the problem.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A user cannot access a website by its domain name but can access it by IP address. The technician should check DNS settings on the user's computer to resolve the name resolution issue.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse network drive access with name resolution, assuming that a mapped drive uses DNS, but here it uses a static IP, so DNS is irrelevant.
✗Change the network profile on the user's computer from Public to PrivateWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The user can already access the internet and browse websites, indicating that the network profile is not blocking general connectivity. The issue is specifically with accessing a mapped drive via SMB, which is more likely a firewall or service issue on the file server, not a network profile setting on the client.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A user reports they cannot access any network resources (e.g., file shares, printers) on a local network, but internet access works. The technician finds the network profile is set to Public, which blocks local discovery and file sharing. Changing to Private would be the correct next step.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse network profile settings (Public vs. Private) with general network connectivity issues, not realizing that the profile primarily affects discovery and sharing, not basic internet access or pinging.
✗Reset the user's password and reconnect the mapped driveWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The user can already access the internet and ping the server, indicating network connectivity and DNS resolution are fine. The issue is with accessing a mapped drive, which is unrelated to password reset or drive reconnection.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A user cannot access a mapped network drive after a password change, and other network functions work. The technician should reset the password and reconnect the drive to update cached credentials.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think that a password issue or corrupted drive mapping is the cause, especially if they've encountered similar problems where reconnecting resolves access failures.
Analysis generated from the official 220-1101blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Quick reference
OSI Model Reference
| Layer | Name | PDU | Key Protocols / Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Application | Data | HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, SMTP, FTP, SSH |
| 6 | Presentation | Data | TLS / SSL, JPEG, ASCII encoding |
| 5 | Session | Data | NetBIOS, RPC, SIP |
| 4 | Transport | Segment / Datagram | TCP, UDP |
| 3 | Network | Packet | IP, ICMP, OSPF — Routers |
| 2 | Data Link | Frame | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, PPP — Switches, Bridges |
| 1 | Physical | Bits | Cables, NICs, Hubs, Repeaters |
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
IPv4 Address Classes and Ranges
Key term
SMB
SMB is a network file-sharing protocol that allows applications to read, write, and request services from server programs in a computer network.
Key term
TCP
TCP is a connection-oriented transport layer protocol that ensures reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of data between applications over IP networks.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1101 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 220-1101 exam.