- A
/26 (255.255.255.192)
Correct. /26 provides 4 subnets with 62 usable hosts each, fitting the need for 50 hosts per department.
- B
/25 (255.255.255.128)
Why wrong: /25 provides only 2 subnets (126 usable hosts each), which is insufficient as the engineer needs 4 subnets.
- C
/27 (255.255.255.224)
Why wrong: /27 provides 8 subnets, but each subnet has only 30 usable hosts, which is below the 50 host requirement.
- D
/24 (255.255.255.0)
Why wrong: /24 provides only 1 subnet with 254 usable hosts, which does not fulfill the requirement for 4 separate subnets.
Question 432 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. A key principle to apply: a /26 subnet mask borrows 2 bits from the host portion of a /24 network.. 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.
A network engineer needs to create subnets for four departments, each requiring at least 50 host addresses. The available network is 192.168.1.0/24. Which subnet mask should be used to satisfy the requirements while minimizing wasted addresses?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"least"Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
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
✓
/26 (255.255.255.192)
A /26 subnet mask (255.255.255.192) provides 62 usable host addresses per subnet (2^(32-26) - 2 = 62), which meets the requirement of at least 50 hosts per department. With a /24 network, you can create exactly four /26 subnets (192.168.1.0/26, 192.168.1.64/26, 192.168.1.128/26, 192.168.1.192/26), perfectly matching the four departments while minimizing wasted addresses.
Key principle: A /26 subnet mask borrows 2 bits from the host portion of a /24 network.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
/26 (255.255.255.192)
Why this is correct
Correct. /26 provides 4 subnets with 62 usable hosts each, fitting the need for 50 hosts per department.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
A /26 subnet mask borrows 2 bits from the host portion of a /24 network.
- ✗
/25 (255.255.255.128)
Why it's wrong here
/25 provides only 2 subnets (126 usable hosts each), which is insufficient as the engineer needs 4 subnets.
When this WOULD be correct
A network engineer needs to create subnets for two departments, each requiring at least 100 host addresses, using the 192.168.1.0/24 network. A /25 mask would provide two subnets with 126 hosts each, satisfying the requirement.
- ✗
/27 (255.255.255.224)
Why it's wrong here
/27 provides 8 subnets, but each subnet has only 30 usable hosts, which is below the 50 host requirement.
When this WOULD be correct
If the requirement were for each subnet to support at least 30 hosts, or if there were 8 departments needing subnets, a /27 mask would be appropriate to minimize waste while meeting the host count.
- ✗
/24 (255.255.255.0)
Why it's wrong here
/24 provides only 1 subnet with 254 usable hosts, which does not fulfill the requirement for 4 separate subnets.
When this WOULD be correct
If the requirement were to have a single subnet supporting at least 200 hosts with no need for subnetting, a /24 mask would be correct.
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.
✓/26 (255.255.255.192)Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
Correct. /26 provides 4 subnets with 62 usable hosts each, fitting the need for 50 hosts per department.
✗/25 (255.255.255.128)Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A /25 subnet provides 126 host addresses, which is more than the 50 needed per department, but it only allows for 2 subnets, not the required 4 departments.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A network engineer needs to create subnets for two departments, each requiring at least 100 host addresses, using the 192.168.1.0/24 network. A /25 mask would provide two subnets with 126 hosts each, satisfying the requirement.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think a /25 is a common choice for subnetting and might overlook the requirement for four subnets, focusing only on the host count.
✗/27 (255.255.255.224)Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A /27 subnet provides only 30 usable host addresses per subnet (2^(32-27)-2 = 30), which is insufficient for the requirement of at least 50 hosts per department.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the requirement were for each subnet to support at least 30 hosts, or if there were 8 departments needing subnets, a /27 mask would be appropriate to minimize waste while meeting the host count.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may mistakenly think /27 provides 62 hosts (confusing with /25) or incorrectly calculate usable addresses as 2^(32-27) = 32 without subtracting the network and broadcast addresses.
✗/24 (255.255.255.0)Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A /24 subnet provides 256 total addresses, which is far more than the 200 needed (4×50), and it cannot be subdivided into four separate subnets without using a different mask.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the requirement were to have a single subnet supporting at least 200 hosts with no need for subnetting, a /24 mask would be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may default to the original /24 network mask without considering that subnetting is required to create four separate subnets.
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 that candidates often choose /27 because they calculate 2^5 = 32 and forget to subtract 2 for the network and broadcast addresses, mistakenly thinking 32 hosts are available, or they choose /25 because they see it provides more than 50 hosts without realizing it only creates two subnets, not four.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The subnet mask determines the boundary between the network and host portions of an IPv4 address; for /26, the last 6 bits are host bits, yielding 2^6 = 64 total addresses per subnet, with the first being the network address and the last the broadcast address, leaving 62 usable. In real-world scenarios, network engineers must account for future growth; while /26 minimizes waste here, a /25 might be chosen if departments are expected to expand beyond 62 hosts, but the question explicitly asks to minimize wasted addresses given current requirements.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- A /26 subnet mask borrows 2 bits from the host portion of a /24 network.
- A /26 network creates 4 subnets from a /24 parent network.
- Each /26 subnet provides 62 usable host addresses (2^6 - 2).
- VLSM (Variable Length Subnet Masking) allows for efficient use of IP addresses by varying subnet sizes.
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
A /26 subnet mask borrows 2 bits from the host portion of a /24 network.
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
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review a /26 subnet mask borrows 2 bits from the host portion of a /24 network., then practise related N10-009 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this N10-009 question test?
Networking Concepts — This question tests Networking Concepts — A /26 subnet mask borrows 2 bits from the host portion of a /24 network..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: /26 (255.255.255.192) — A /26 subnet mask (255.255.255.192) provides 62 usable host addresses per subnet (2^(32-26) - 2 = 62), which meets the requirement of at least 50 hosts per department. With a /24 network, you can create exactly four /26 subnets (192.168.1.0/26, 192.168.1.64/26, 192.168.1.128/26, 192.168.1.192/26), perfectly matching the four departments while minimizing wasted addresses.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 question wrong?
Review a /26 subnet mask borrows 2 bits from the host portion of a /24 network., then practise related N10-009 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
What is the key concept behind this question?
A /26 subnet mask borrows 2 bits from the host portion of a /24 network.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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