Question 1easymultiple choice
Full question →easymultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A user reports that they can browse to a website by typing its IP address (e.g., 93.184.216.34) but cannot access it by typing the domain name (e.g., www.example.com). The user's workstation receives IP configuration via DHCP. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
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.
A
Distractor review
The default gateway is misconfigured.
A misconfigured gateway would likely prevent all external communication, including via IP address. Since the user can reach the website by IP, the gateway is working.
B
Best answer
The DNS server address is incorrect or unreachable.
The user can access resources by IP but not by name, which is a classic symptom of DNS failure. The technician should verify that the DNS server settings are correct and that the DNS server is reachable from the workstation.
C
Distractor review
The web server's SSL certificate is expired.
An expired SSL certificate would cause a browser security warning but would not prevent accessing the site by IP address. Also, the issue is name resolution, not certificate validity.
D
Distractor review
The workstation's hosts file has an incorrect entry.
An incorrect hosts file entry could cause resolution failure, but it is less likely than a systemic DNS issue. The hosts file is checked before DNS, but the question states the user can access by IP, so a hosts entry for that domain would likely redirect to a different IP, not block access entirely.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
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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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The DNS server address is incorrect or unreachable. — If a user can reach a website via IP but not by domain name, the DNS resolution is failing. This could be due to a misconfigured DNS server address on the workstation, an unreachable DNS server, or a problem with the DNS server itself. The most direct next step is to check the DNS server settings on the workstation.
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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