- A
ARP
ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) maps IPv4 addresses to MAC addresses. It is essential for local network communication.
- B
DNS
Why wrong: DNS (Domain Name System) resolves domain names to IP addresses, not IP addresses to MAC addresses.
- C
DHCP
Why wrong: DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) assigns IP addresses and other configuration parameters to hosts, but does not resolve IP addresses to MAC addresses.
- D
ICMP
Why wrong: ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) is used for error reporting and diagnostic functions like ping, not for address resolution.
Question 512 of 520
N10-009 Networking Concepts Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of networking concepts. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which protocol is used to resolve a known IP address to a corresponding MAC address on a local network?
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
✓
ARP
ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) is used to resolve a known IP address to its corresponding MAC address on a local network. When a host needs to send a frame to another host on the same subnet, it broadcasts an ARP request containing the target IP; the host with that IP responds with its MAC address, which is then cached for future use.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
ARP
Why this is correct
ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) maps IPv4 addresses to MAC addresses. It is essential for local network communication.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
DNS
Why it's wrong here
DNS (Domain Name System) resolves domain names to IP addresses, not IP addresses to MAC addresses.
When this WOULD be correct
DNS would be correct if the question asked: 'Which protocol is used to resolve a fully qualified domain name (e.g., www.example.com) to an IP address?' or 'Which protocol translates human-readable domain names into numerical IP addresses?'
- ✗
DHCP
Why it's wrong here
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) assigns IP addresses and other configuration parameters to hosts, but does not resolve IP addresses to MAC addresses.
When this WOULD be correct
A question asking 'Which protocol automatically assigns IP addresses to devices on a network?' would have DHCP as the correct answer. Also, 'Which protocol provides IP configuration including subnet mask and default gateway?' would be answered with DHCP.
- ✗
ICMP
Why it's wrong here
ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) is used for error reporting and diagnostic functions like ping, not for address resolution.
When this WOULD be correct
ICMP would be correct for a question like: 'Which protocol is used to test reachability and measure round-trip time to a remote host?' or 'Which protocol is used by the ping command?'
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.
✓ARPCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) maps IPv4 addresses to MAC addresses. It is essential for local network communication.
✗DNSWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
DNS resolves domain names to IP addresses, not IP addresses to MAC addresses. The question specifically asks for mapping an IP address to a MAC address on a local network, which is ARP's function.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
DNS would be correct if the question asked: 'Which protocol is used to resolve a fully qualified domain name (e.g., www.example.com) to an IP address?' or 'Which protocol translates human-readable domain names into numerical IP addresses?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates often confuse 'resolution' tasks, assuming DNS handles all address resolution, or they misread the question as resolving a name to an IP rather than an IP to a MAC.
✗DHCPWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
DHCP is used to dynamically assign IP addresses and other network configuration parameters to devices, not to resolve IP addresses to MAC addresses. The resolution of IP to MAC addresses on a local network is performed by ARP.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question asking 'Which protocol automatically assigns IP addresses to devices on a network?' would have DHCP as the correct answer. Also, 'Which protocol provides IP configuration including subnet mask and default gateway?' would be answered with DHCP.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse DHCP with ARP because both operate at the network layer and involve IP addresses, but they serve different purposes. The similarity in acronyms (both four-letter protocols) can also cause confusion.
✗ICMPWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
ICMP is used for network diagnostics (e.g., ping, traceroute) and error reporting, not for resolving IP addresses to MAC addresses. The Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) is the correct protocol for this purpose.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
ICMP would be correct for a question like: 'Which protocol is used to test reachability and measure round-trip time to a remote host?' or 'Which protocol is used by the ping command?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse ICMP with ARP because both operate at the network layer and are involved in local network communication, or they may mistakenly think ICMP handles address resolution due to its role in network diagnostics.
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?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing ARP with DNS, as both involve 'resolution,' but DNS resolves names to IPs (Layer 3) while ARP resolves IPs to MACs (Layer 2), and candidates often forget ARP operates only within a local broadcast domain.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ARP operates at Layer 2 (Data Link) and Layer 3 (Network) boundary, using broadcast frames (FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF) for requests and unicast for replies. The ARP cache on each host stores mappings with a timeout (typically 2–4 minutes for dynamic entries), and gratuitous ARP is used to detect IP conflicts or update switches' MAC tables after a NIC replacement.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
Visual reference
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Networking Concepts — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Networking Concepts practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All N10-009 questions
520 questions across all exam domains
- →
CompTIA Network+ N10-009 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
N10-009 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related N10-009 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Networking Concepts practice questions
Practise N10-009 questions linked to Networking Concepts.
Network Implementation practice questions
Practise N10-009 questions linked to Network Implementation.
Network Operations practice questions
Practise N10-009 questions linked to Network Operations.
Network Security practice questions
Practise N10-009 questions linked to Network Security.
Network Troubleshooting practice questions
Practise N10-009 questions linked to Network Troubleshooting.
Network+ network fundamentals practice questions
Practise N10-009 questions linked to Network+ network fundamentals.
Practice this exam
Start a free N10-009 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this N10-009 question test?
Networking Concepts — This question tests Networking Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: ARP — ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) is used to resolve a known IP address to its corresponding MAC address on a local network. When a host needs to send a frame to another host on the same subnet, it broadcasts an ARP request containing the target IP; the host with that IP responds with its MAC address, which is then cached for future use.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More N10-009 practice questions
- Which of the following network devices operates primarily at Layer 2 of the OSI model and uses MAC addresses to forward…
- Which of the following is a characteristic of UDP when compared to TCP?
- Which of the following IPv6 addresses is a valid link-local address?
- Which of the following security mechanisms requires a user to authenticate before gaining access to the wired network at…
- Which of the following network protocols operates at the Transport layer of the OSI model and provides connection-orient…
- Which of the following is a characteristic of a connectionless protocol at the transport layer?
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.