- A
netstat
Why wrong: Netstat displays active connections and listening ports, but does not trace the path to a remote host. It would not help identify where traffic is failing beyond the local gateway.
- B
traceroute
Traceroute (tracert on Windows) sends packets with increasing TTL values to map the route to a destination. It can show where packets stop or time out, helping identify the point of failure.
- C
nslookup
Why wrong: Nslookup queries DNS servers to resolve hostnames to IP addresses. The user can already access local resources, but the problem is connectivity, not name resolution. If the issue were DNS, nslookup could help, but the scenario points to a routing problem.
- D
arp
Why wrong: ARP resolves IP addresses to MAC addresses on the local network. Since the gateway is reachable, ARP is not the issue. ARP would not provide information about routing beyond the local subnet.
Quick Answer
The answer is traceroute, which is the correct tool to use next when a user can access local resources and the default gateway responds to pings but cannot reach an external website. This is because traceroute maps the entire path from the source host to a destination by sending packets with incrementing Time-to-Live (TTL) values, revealing exactly where packets are being dropped or delayed beyond the gateway. On the CompTIA Network+ N10-009 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of layered troubleshooting—since local connectivity and the gateway are working, the issue lies in the routing path, and traceroute isolates the failing hop. A common trap is to immediately suspect DNS or the gateway itself, but the key clue is that the gateway responds, so the problem is further upstream. Memory tip: think of traceroute as a “hop-by-hop detective” that follows the breadcrumbs from your network to the internet.
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 cannot access the internet, but they can access local resources on the same subnet. The network administrator pings the default gateway and gets a response. Which tool should be used next to trace the path to an external website?
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
traceroute
B is correct because traceroute (tracert on Windows) is the appropriate tool to identify where packets are being dropped or delayed along the path from the local host to an external website. Since the user can access local resources and the default gateway responds to pings, the issue likely lies beyond the gateway, and traceroute will reveal the hop where connectivity fails.
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.
- ✗
netstat
Why it's wrong here
Netstat displays active connections and listening ports, but does not trace the path to a remote host. It would not help identify where traffic is failing beyond the local gateway.
- ✓
traceroute
Why this is correct
Traceroute (tracert on Windows) sends packets with increasing TTL values to map the route to a destination. It can show where packets stop or time out, helping identify the point of failure.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
nslookup
Why it's wrong here
Nslookup queries DNS servers to resolve hostnames to IP addresses. The user can already access local resources, but the problem is connectivity, not name resolution. If the issue were DNS, nslookup could help, but the scenario points to a routing problem.
- ✗
arp
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that a successful ping to the default gateway guarantees internet connectivity, but the trap here is that the problem may be at a subsequent hop, and traceroute is the correct tool to isolate that hop.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Nslookup queries DNS servers to resolve hostnames to IP addresses. The user can already access local resources, but the problem is connectivity, not name resolution. If the issue were DNS, nslookup could help, but the scenario points to a routing problem.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Traceroute works by sending packets with incrementally increasing Time-To-Live (TTL) values, starting at 1, so each successive router along the path decrements the TTL to 0 and returns an ICMP Time Exceeded message, revealing the router's IP address. In real-world scenarios, a firewall or router may be configured to drop ICMP packets or respond with a different address, which can cause traceroute to show asterisks or misleading hops, requiring interpretation of partial results.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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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Network Troubleshooting — study guide chapter
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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: traceroute — B is correct because traceroute (tracert on Windows) is the appropriate tool to identify where packets are being dropped or delayed along the path from the local host to an external website. Since the user can access local resources and the default gateway responds to pings, the issue likely lies beyond the gateway, and traceroute will reveal the hop where connectivity fails.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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