The answer is `tracert server_ip`, because after a continuous ping reveals packet loss at a specific hop, the tracert command is the precise tool to map the entire route and identify the exact router causing the issue. Tracert works by sending ICMP echo requests with incrementing Time-to-Live (TTL) values; each router along the path decrements the TTL and, when it reaches zero, replies with a Time Exceeded message, allowing you to see every hop and where loss begins. On the CompTIA Network+ N10-009 exam, this scenario tests your ability to move from a general symptom (intermittent connectivity) to a targeted diagnostic step—a common trap is jumping to `ping` again or `ipconfig`, but the question already confirms loss after hop three, so you need hop-by-hop visibility. A solid memory tip: think of tracert as a “breadcrumb trail” that forces each router to announce itself, making the failing hop stand out like a missing crumb.
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.
Users in a branch office report intermittent connectivity to the corporate data center. A technician runs a continuous ping from a workstation to the data center server and observes packet loss after the third hop. Which command should the technician run next to identify the specific router causing the issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
tracert server_ip
The technician has already identified packet loss after the third hop using a continuous ping. The next logical step is to use `tracert` (or `traceroute` on Linux) to map the path and pinpoint which router (hop) is dropping packets. This command sends ICMP echo requests with incrementing TTL values, forcing each router along the path to reply with a Time Exceeded message, thereby revealing the specific hop where loss occurs.
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.
✗
ping -n 1000 server_ip
Why it's wrong here
Ping only tests end-to-end connectivity and cannot identify which hop is causing packet loss.
✓
tracert server_ip
Why this is correct
Tracert lists each hop along the path and displays packet loss per hop, allowing the technician to isolate the faulty router.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
nslookup server_ip
Why it's wrong here
Nslookup is used for DNS resolution, not for path analysis.
✗
ipconfig /all
Why it's wrong here
Ipconfig shows local IP configuration, not the network path to a remote host.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often jump to running a longer ping (option A) to confirm loss, but the question already states loss is observed; the correct next step is to isolate the failing hop using `tracert`, not to gather more loss statistics.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Ipconfig shows local IP configuration, not the network path to a remote host.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
`tracert` works by sending ICMP echo requests with TTL=1, then TTL=2, etc., each time receiving an ICMP Time Exceeded message from the router that decremented the TTL to zero. In Windows, it uses ICMP echo requests; in Linux/macOS, `traceroute` typically uses UDP packets to high ports. A subtle behavior: if a router is configured to not send ICMP Time Exceeded messages (e.g., due to ACLs or rate-limiting), that hop will show as a timeout, which can be misinterpreted as packet loss but actually indicates a filtering policy.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this N10-009 question in full detail.
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: tracert server_ip — The technician has already identified packet loss after the third hop using a continuous ping. The next logical step is to use `tracert` (or `traceroute` on Linux) to map the path and pinpoint which router (hop) is dropping packets. This command sends ICMP echo requests with incrementing TTL values, forcing each router along the path to reply with a Time Exceeded message, thereby revealing the specific hop where loss occurs.
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: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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