N10-009 Hosts file Practice Question
A user can access a website by its IP address (e.g., 203.0.113.5) but cannot access it by its domain name (example.com). Other users on the same subnet can access the website by domain name. Which of the following should the technician check FIRST?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often jump to checking the DNS server or website records globally, forgetting that the problem is isolated to one client, which clearly indicates a client-side configuration issue rather than a server or infrastructure problem.
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
✓
Check the local hosts file
The issue is isolated to a single user who can reach the website by IP but not by domain name, while other users on the same subnet have no problem. This indicates a client-side DNS resolution problem. The first thing to check is the local hosts file (e.g., C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts) for any incorrect or outdated entries that might be overriding DNS resolution. If the hosts file has an incorrect mapping for example.com, the browser will use that instead of querying the DNS server, causing the failure. Checking DNS server configuration is appropriate if the hosts file is clean.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Check the local hosts file
Why this is correct
The hosts file is checked before DNS queries, so an incorrect entry can cause DNS resolution failure for a single user. This is the most likely cause given that other users are unaffected.
- ✗
Check the DNS server configuration on the network
Why it's wrong here
DNS server configuration would affect all users on the subnet, not just one.
When this WOULD be correct
Option B would be correct if multiple users on the same subnet cannot access the website by domain name, indicating a broader DNS resolution failure. For example: 'Several users report they cannot access example.com by name, but can by IP. What should the technician check first?'
- ✗
Check the website's DNS records
Why it's wrong here
The website's DNS records would affect all users globally, not just one client.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct if the question stated that all users on the subnet cannot access the website by domain name, indicating a potential DNS server issue. For example: 'All users on a subnet can access a website by IP but not by domain name. Which should the technician check first?'
- ✗
Check the user's browser proxy settings
Why it's wrong here
Proxy settings could affect access but typically wouldn't allow access by IP while blocking by domain name, and other users would likely be affected if proxy is the issue.
When this WOULD be correct
If multiple users on the same subnet cannot access the website by domain name, but can by IP address, then the technician should check the DNS server configuration first, as it indicates a server-side DNS resolution failure.
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 N10-009 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Check the local hosts fileCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
The hosts file is checked before DNS queries, so an incorrect entry can cause DNS resolution failure for a single user. This is the most likely cause given that other users are unaffected.
✗Check the DNS server configuration on the networkWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The issue is that only one user cannot resolve the domain name, while others can. This points to a client-side DNS issue, not a server-side DNS configuration problem. Option B (DNS server configuration) would affect all users on the subnet, not just one.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
Option B would be correct if multiple users on the same subnet cannot access the website by domain name, indicating a broader DNS resolution failure. For example: 'Several users report they cannot access example.com by name, but can by IP. What should the technician check first?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may assume any DNS problem is due to server configuration, overlooking that the issue is isolated to a single client. They might not differentiate between client-side and server-side DNS issues.
✗Check the website's DNS recordsWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Option C is not specified, but assuming it refers to checking the DNS server settings on the client, the issue is that other users on the same subnet can access the website by domain name, so the DNS server is working correctly for the subnet. The problem is isolated to the single user's machine, so checking DNS server settings is not the first step.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct if the question stated that all users on the subnet cannot access the website by domain name, indicating a potential DNS server issue. For example: 'All users on a subnet can access a website by IP but not by domain name. Which should the technician check first?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think that DNS resolution is the most common cause of name resolution failures, so they jump to checking DNS server settings without considering that the problem is isolated to one user.
✗Check the user's browser proxy settingsWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The issue is that only one user cannot resolve the domain name while others can, pointing to a client-side DNS issue. Option D (checking the DNS server configuration) is unnecessary because the DNS server is working for other users on the same subnet.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If multiple users on the same subnet cannot access the website by domain name, but can by IP address, then the technician should check the DNS server configuration first, as it indicates a server-side DNS resolution failure.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think that since DNS is involved, the DNS server configuration is the most likely cause, overlooking that the problem is isolated to a single user, which suggests a client-side issue.
Analysis generated from the official N10-009blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Default Gateway Configuration Issues
Key term
Subnet
A subnet is a logical subdivision of an IP network, created by partitioning a larger network address space using subnet masks.
Key term
Name Server
A name server is a specialized server that translates human-readable domain names into machine-readable IP addresses so that computers can find each other on a network.
About these practice questions
This N10-009 question is part of Courseiva's 464-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This N10-009 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 N10-009 exam.