Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A user at a branch office reports that they cannot connect to a file server at the main office. The branch office connects to the main office via a site-to-site VPN, and the VPN tunnel shows as active. The user can ping the main office's default gateway but not the file server. Which of the following should the technician check NEXT?
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.
A
Best answer
A) Check the routing tables on the branch router
Correct. The branch router may not have a route to the file server's subnet, or the main office router may not have a route back to the branch subnet. Verifying routing tables on both ends is essential.
B
Distractor review
B) Check the DNS resolution for the file server
Incorrect. The user can ping the gateway, so IP connectivity exists. If the user is pinging by IP, DNS is not involved. If by name, DNS failure would cause a different error.
C
Distractor review
C) Check the VPN encryption settings
Incorrect. Since the VPN tunnel is active and the user can ping the remote gateway, the encryption settings are likely correct for the tunnel. A mismatch would prevent any traffic through the tunnel.
D
Distractor review
D) Check the file server's antivirus software
Incorrect. Antivirus software on the file server could block certain traffic, but it would not cause a 'cannot connect' issue at the network level if routing is correct. It is less likely to be the first step.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
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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?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A) Check the routing tables on the branch router — Since the user can ping the main office's gateway, the VPN tunnel is functional at the network layer. The inability to ping the file server suggests a routing issue beyond the gateway, such as a missing route on the branch router for the file server's subnet, or a missing return route on the main office router for the branch subnet. Also, the file server's firewall could be blocking ICMP, but routing is more fundamental. Checking routing tables is the best next step. DNS is likely not the issue because pinging the gateway works by IP; the user might be trying to reach the server by name, but the question implies connectivity to the server IP is the problem.
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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