- A
DNS
Why wrong: DNS translates domain names to IP addresses, not assign IPs.
- B
DHCP
DHCP provides automatic IP configuration including subnet mask and default gateway.
- C
ARP
Why wrong: ARP resolves IP addresses to MAC addresses on a local network.
- D
ICMP
Why wrong: ICMP is used for error reporting and diagnostics like ping.
Question 197 of 520
N10-009 Networking Concepts Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of networking concepts. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 of the following protocols is used to automatically assign IP addresses to devices on a network and also provides the subnet mask and default gateway?
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
✓
DHCP
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is the correct answer because it is specifically designed to automatically assign IP addresses to devices on a network, along with essential configuration parameters such as the subnet mask and default gateway. When a DHCP client sends a discover message, the DHCP server responds with an offer that includes these details, allowing the client to fully participate in network communication without manual configuration.
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.
- ✗
DNS
- ✓
DHCP
Why this is correct
DHCP provides automatic IP configuration including subnet mask and default gateway.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
ARP
Why it's wrong here
ARP resolves IP addresses to MAC addresses on a local network.
When this WOULD be correct
A question asking 'Which protocol maps a known IP address to a MAC address on a local network?' would have ARP as the correct answer.
- ✗
ICMP
Why it's wrong here
ICMP is used for error reporting and diagnostics like ping.
When this WOULD be correct
A question asking which protocol is used to test connectivity between devices or to report network errors (e.g., 'Which protocol does the ping command use?') would have ICMP as the correct answer.
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.
✓DHCPCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
DHCP provides automatic IP configuration including subnet mask and default gateway.
✗DNSWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
DNS resolves domain names to IP addresses, but does not assign IP addresses or provide subnet masks and default gateways.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question asking which protocol translates human-readable domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses would have DNS as the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse DNS with DHCP because both involve IP addresses, but DNS is for name resolution, not automatic assignment.
✗ARPWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) is used to resolve IP addresses to MAC addresses on a local network, not to assign IP addresses or provide subnet masks and default gateways.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question asking 'Which protocol maps a known IP address to a MAC address on a local network?' would have ARP as the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse ARP with DHCP because both operate at the network layer and are involved in network configuration, but ARP's role is address resolution, not assignment.
✗ICMPWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
ICMP is used for network diagnostics and error reporting (e.g., ping, traceroute), not for automatic IP address assignment or providing subnet mask and default gateway.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question asking which protocol is used to test connectivity between devices or to report network errors (e.g., 'Which protocol does the ping command use?') would have ICMP as the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse ICMP with DHCP because both are network-layer protocols, or they might think ICMP handles address configuration due to its role in network discovery tools.
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 N10-009 exam often tests the distinction between DHCP and DNS, where candidates mistakenly think DNS assigns IP addresses because it 'looks up' information, but DNS only resolves names, not addresses or subnet masks.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DHCP operates using a four-step process (DORA: Discover, Offer, Request, Acknowledge) as defined in RFC 2131. The DHCP server can also provide additional options like DNS server addresses, lease time, and domain name, making it a critical component for centralized network configuration management. In real-world scenarios, DHCP relay agents (RFC 3046) allow a single DHCP server to serve multiple subnets, which is essential in large enterprise networks.
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
IPv4 Address Class Summary
| Class | First Octet Range | Default Mask | Networks | Hosts per Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1–126 | /8 (255.0.0.0) | 126 | 16,777,214 |
| B | 128–191 | /16 (255.255.0.0) | 16,384 | 65,534 |
| C | 192–223 | /24 (255.255.255.0) | 2,097,152 | 254 |
| D | 224–239 | N/A | Multicast groups | — |
| E | 240–255 | N/A | Reserved / experimental | — |
127.x.x.x is reserved for loopback. Modern networks use CIDR (classless) rather than classful addressing.
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.
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Networking Concepts — study guide chapter
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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: DHCP — DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is the correct answer because it is specifically designed to automatically assign IP addresses to devices on a network, along with essential configuration parameters such as the subnet mask and default gateway. When a DHCP client sends a discover message, the DHCP server responds with an offer that includes these details, allowing the client to fully participate in network communication without manual configuration.
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 →
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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.
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