- A
Check the DNS server's A record for intranet.company.com
Since the server is reachable by IP but not by name, the most direct cause is missing or incorrect DNS record for that hostname on the internal DNS server.
- B
Review the firewall rules on the server
Why wrong: Firewall rules do not affect hostname resolution; they control traffic based on IP addresses and ports. The user already reached the server by IP, so firewall is unlikely the issue.
- C
Run ipconfig /flushdns on the workstation
Why wrong: Flushing the DNS cache can help if the workstation has stale entries, but the first step should be to check the authoritative DNS server since the issue is likely with the record itself.
- D
Verify the default gateway configuration
Why wrong: Default gateway is used for routing to other networks. Since the user can reach the server by IP, routing is functioning; the problem is name resolution.
N10-009 Network Troubleshooting Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network troubleshooting. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A user reports that they can access the company's internal web server by IP address (10.10.10.100) but cannot access it by its hostname (intranet.company.com). The user's workstation is configured with the correct internal DNS server address. Which of the following should the technician do FIRST?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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 DNS server's A record for intranet.company.com
The user can reach the server by IP but not by hostname, which indicates a DNS resolution problem. Since the workstation is configured with the correct internal DNS server, the most likely cause is a missing or incorrect A record for intranet.company.com on that DNS server. Checking the A record is the logical first step before other troubleshooting.
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.
- ✓
Check the DNS server's A record for intranet.company.com
Why this is correct
Since the server is reachable by IP but not by name, the most direct cause is missing or incorrect DNS record for that hostname on the internal DNS server.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Review the firewall rules on the server
Why it's wrong here
Firewall rules do not affect hostname resolution; they control traffic based on IP addresses and ports. The user already reached the server by IP, so firewall is unlikely the issue.
- ✗
Run ipconfig /flushdns on the workstation
Why it's wrong here
Flushing the DNS cache can help if the workstation has stale entries, but the first step should be to check the authoritative DNS server since the issue is likely with the record itself.
- ✗
Verify the default gateway configuration
Why it's wrong here
Default gateway is used for routing to other networks. Since the user can reach the server by IP, routing is functioning; the problem is name resolution.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between connectivity issues (firewall, routing) and name resolution issues; the trap here is that candidates might jump to flushing the DNS cache (Option C) without verifying the authoritative DNS record first.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DNS A records map a hostname to an IPv4 address; without a valid A record, the resolver cannot translate the name to an IP. In a Windows environment, the DNS client first checks its local cache, then queries the configured DNS server; if the server returns NXDOMAIN or no answer, the resolution fails. A common real-world scenario is when a new internal server is added but the DNS zone is not updated, causing name resolution failures despite IP connectivity.
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 practitioner preparing for the N10-009 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
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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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this N10-009 question test?
Network Troubleshooting — This question tests Network Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Check the DNS server's A record for intranet.company.com — The user can reach the server by IP but not by hostname, which indicates a DNS resolution problem. Since the workstation is configured with the correct internal DNS server, the most likely cause is a missing or incorrect A record for intranet.company.com on that DNS server. Checking the A record is the logical first step before other troubleshooting.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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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