N10-009 Network Troubleshooting Practice Question

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 workstation has a static IP address configured.

  Why it's wrong here

  If a workstation were configured with a static IP address, it would bypass the DHCP process entirely and use the manually assigned IP, subnet mask, and gateway. An APIPA address, by definition, is an automatically assigned address from the 169.254.0.0/16 range that occurs *only* when a DHCP client fails to obtain an IP address. Therefore, the presence of an APIPA address directly contradicts the notion of a statically configured IP.

  When this WOULD be correct

  In a question where a user reports no internet access and the workstation has an IP like 192.168.1.100 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, and the technician confirms it was manually set, then 'The workstation has a static IP address configured' would be correct.

• ✓

  The DHCP server is unreachable.

  Why this is correct

  When a workstation is configured for dynamic IP addressing (DHCP) but cannot locate or communicate with a DHCP server, it resorts to Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA). This process assigns an IP address from the 169.254.0.0/16 range. Since APIPA addresses are non-routable and intended only for local link communication, the workstation cannot obtain a valid network configuration, including a default gateway, thus preventing internet access.

• ✗

  The DNS server is down.

  Why it's wrong here

  A malfunctioning or unreachable DNS server would primarily impact name resolution, preventing the workstation from translating domain names into IP addresses. However, the workstation would still successfully obtain a valid IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway from the DHCP server. The presence of an APIPA address explicitly indicates a failure in the initial IP address acquisition process, not a subsequent name resolution problem.

  When this WOULD be correct

  A user reports they can access the internet by IP address but not by domain name. The workstation has a valid IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.10). In this scenario, a DNS server problem would be the correct answer.

• ✗

  The default gateway is misconfigured.

  Why it's wrong here

  A misconfigured default gateway would prevent the workstation from communicating with devices outside its local subnet, including the internet. However, the workstation would still receive a valid IP address, subnet mask, and DNS server information from the DHCP server. The presence of an APIPA address signifies that the workstation failed to acquire *any* IP configuration from DHCP, indicating a problem before the default gateway even becomes relevant.

  When this WOULD be correct

  In a scenario where a workstation has a valid IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.10) but cannot access the internet, and the technician verifies that the default gateway is set to an incorrect or unreachable IP, then 'The default gateway is misconfigured' would be the correct answer.

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.

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?”

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Related to this question

Same concept, more angles

3 more ways this is tested on N10-009

These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.