A user reports that they can access internal resources such as file shares and printers by name, but they cannot access any external websites. The technician checks the IP configuration and finds the workstation has a valid IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server addresses. The technician can successfully ping the default gateway and an external IP address like 8.8.8.8. 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.
Distractor review
Perform a traceroute to the external website to identify the point of failure.
Traceroute is useful for identifying path issues, but since external IPs are reachable (ping 8.8.8.8 works), the path is likely fine. The problem is with name resolution.
Best answer
Verify that the DNS server can resolve external domain names.
The user can access internal resources by name and can reach external IPs, so the DNS server must be able to resolve external names. If the DNS server is not configured to forward queries or is using a root hint that fails, this would explain the symptom.
Distractor review
Check the Windows Firewall on the workstation to ensure it is not blocking outbound HTTP traffic.
If the firewall were blocking HTTP, the user would likely not be able to load any web pages, but the ability to ping external IPs suggests basic connectivity exists. The issue is specific to name resolution.
Distractor review
Renew the DHCP lease on the workstation.
The workstation already has a valid IP configuration and can reach internal and external IPs. Renewing the lease would not resolve a DNS-specific issue.
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: Verify that the DNS server can resolve external domain names. — Since the user can access internal resources by name and ping external IPs, the issue is likely with DNS resolution for external domains. The DNS server may not be configured to forward external queries, or there may be a firewall rule blocking DNS requests to external servers. Checking the DNS server configuration is the logical next step.
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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