A router receives a packet destined for 10.0.0.15. It has the following routes in the routing table: 10.0.0.0/8 via 192.168.1.1, 10.0.0.0/16 via 192.168.2.1, 0.0.0.0/0 via 192.168.3.1. Which route will be used?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
Distractor review
Default route (0.0.0.0/0)
The default route is the least specific and only used if no other route matches.
Best answer
10.0.0.0/16 via 192.168.2.1
This route has a longer prefix length (16) than the /8 route, and it matches the destination (10.0.0.15 is in 10.0.0.0/16).
Distractor review
10.0.0.0/8 via 192.168.1.1
Although this route also matches, it is less specific than the /16 route, so it is not chosen.
Distractor review
None; the packet is dropped
There are matching routes, so the packet is not dropped.
Common exam trap
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.
Technical deep dive
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.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A network engineer needs to connect two switches located 400 meters apart. The cable run includes high electromagnetic interference from nearby machinery. The engineer decides to use fiber optic cabling. Which transceiver type and fiber combination should be used to ensure the link reaches 400 meters while remaining cost-effective?
Question 2
A network engineer is designing a new switched network and needs to ensure that broadcast traffic from one department does not reach another department's workstations. The engineer plans to use VLANs. Which of the following must be configured on the switches to isolate broadcast domains as intended?
Question 3
A security engineer is configuring a site-to-site VPN between two branch offices. The requirement is to encrypt all traffic between the two networks using IPsec. Which IPsec mode should be used to encrypt the entire IP packet including the original header?
Question 4
A network administrator is connecting two switches to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy. Which technology should be used to combine multiple physical links into a single logical link?
Question 5
A network administrator is experiencing issues where unauthorized devices are offering IP addresses to clients, causing connectivity problems. Which security feature should be enabled on switches to prevent this?
Question 6
A network administrator is troubleshooting a connectivity issue and suspects the problem is related to the physical cabling. At which layer of the OSI model should the administrator begin their investigation?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this N10-009 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 10.0.0.0/16 via 192.168.2.1 — Routers use the longest prefix match algorithm. The /16 route (10.0.0.0/16) is more specific than the /8 route and more specific than the default route, so it will be used to forward the packet to 10.0.0.15.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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