- A
The default gateway is misconfigured.
Why wrong: 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
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
The web server's SSL certificate is expired.
Why wrong: 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
The workstation's hosts file has an incorrect entry.
Why wrong: 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.
N10-009 DNS translates domain names to IP addresses. 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. A key principle to apply: dNS translates domain names to IP addresses.. 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 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?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
The DNS server address is incorrect or unreachable.
The user can reach the website by IP address but not by domain name, which isolates the issue to name resolution. DNS translates domain names to IP addresses; if the DNS server address provided by DHCP is incorrect or unreachable, the workstation cannot resolve www.example.com to 93.184.216.34. This is the most likely cause because all other connectivity (default gateway, web server) is confirmed working by the successful IP-based access.
Key principle: DNS translates domain names to IP addresses.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The default gateway is misconfigured.
Why it's wrong here
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.
- ✓
The DNS server address is incorrect or unreachable.
Why this is correct
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.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
DNS translates domain names to IP addresses.
- ✗
The web server's SSL certificate is expired.
Why it's wrong here
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.
- ✗
The workstation's hosts file has an incorrect entry.
Why it's wrong here
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 traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse a DNS failure with a gateway or web server issue, but the key clue is that IP-based access works, which eliminates routing and server problems and points squarely to name resolution.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DNS resolution uses UDP port 53 (or TCP for large responses) to query the configured DNS server. The workstation's DHCP lease includes option 6 (DNS server address); if this is misconfigured (e.g., pointing to a non-existent or unreachable server), the resolver will fail with a 'server failure' or 'no response' error, while direct IP access bypasses DNS entirely. In real-world scenarios, a common subtlety is that the DNS server may be reachable but not authoritative for the domain, or a firewall may block outbound DNS queries while allowing HTTP traffic.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- DNS translates domain names to IP addresses.
- Workstations require a correctly configured and reachable DNS server to resolve domain names.
- DHCP typically provides DNS server addresses to client devices.
- Accessing resources by IP address confirms basic network connectivity and gateway functionality.
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
DNS translates domain names to IP addresses.
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. DNS translates domain names to IP addresses. 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.
Review dNS translates domain names to IP addresses., 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?
Network Troubleshooting — This question tests Network Troubleshooting — DNS translates domain names to IP addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The DNS server address is incorrect or unreachable. — The user can reach the website by IP address but not by domain name, which isolates the issue to name resolution. DNS translates domain names to IP addresses; if the DNS server address provided by DHCP is incorrect or unreachable, the workstation cannot resolve www.example.com to 93.184.216.34. This is the most likely cause because all other connectivity (default gateway, web server) is confirmed working by the successful IP-based access.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 question wrong?
Review dNS translates domain names to IP addresses., 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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
DNS translates domain names to IP addresses.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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