- A
DHCP
Why wrong: DHCP assigns IP addresses dynamically but does not provide hostname resolution.
- B
DNS
DNS resolves hostnames like 'fileserver' to IP addresses. Adding an A record in the DNS zone will allow users to connect via the hostname.
- C
WINS
Why wrong: WINS resolves NetBIOS names, but in a modern Windows domain, DNS is the preferred and more scalable solution.
- D
NAT
Why wrong: NAT translates private IPs to public IPs and is not involved in internal hostname resolution.
Question 381 of 1,020
DNS for Hostname Resolution in Windows Domain
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network services. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 technician is configuring a new file server and wants to ensure that when users type \\fileserver in File Explorer, it resolves to the correct IP address. The network uses a Windows domain with Active Directory. Which network service should the technician configure to allow hostname resolution for this server?
Quick Answer
The answer is DNS, because in a Windows domain, DNS is the core service responsible for hostname resolution, mapping a server name like \\fileserver to its correct IP address. When a technician adds an A record for the file server in the domain’s DNS zone, Active Directory clients can instantly resolve the hostname without relying on broadcasts or legacy services. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how Windows domains centralize name resolution—a common trap is confusing DNS with DHCP (which assigns IPs but does not resolve names) or WINS (a deprecated NetBIOS resolver). Remember that in a domain environment, DNS is the authoritative directory for all host-to-IP mappings, making it the default answer for any server or client name resolution scenario. A helpful memory tip: “DNS Does Name Service” for domain-joined devices.
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
✓
DNS
DNS (Domain Name System) is the correct service because it resolves hostnames (like \\fileserver) to IP addresses in a Windows domain environment. When a user types \\fileserver in File Explorer, the client queries DNS to obtain the server's IP address, enabling SMB file sharing. Active Directory relies on DNS for service location and name resolution, making it the mandatory service for this task.
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.
- ✗
DHCP
Why it's wrong here
DHCP assigns IP addresses dynamically but does not provide hostname resolution.
- ✓
DNS
Why this is correct
DNS resolves hostnames like 'fileserver' to IP addresses. Adding an A record in the DNS zone will allow users to connect via the hostname.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
WINS
Why it's wrong here
WINS resolves NetBIOS names, but in a modern Windows domain, DNS is the preferred and more scalable solution.
- ✗
NAT
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates may mistakenly choose WINS because they recall it is used for legacy NetBIOS name resolution, but in a modern Active Directory domain, DNS is the required and default service for hostname resolution.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In a Windows domain, DNS is tightly integrated with Active Directory; domain controllers automatically register SRV records and A/AAAA records for services. The client's DNS resolver uses the DNS suffix search list (e.g., domain.local) to append to single-label names like 'fileserver', so it queries for 'fileserver.domain.local' if the full name is not provided. This behavior is defined in RFC 1034 and implemented via the Windows DNS Client service, which caches results and follows the DNS hierarchy for resolution.
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.
Visual reference
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Network Services — This question tests Network Services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: DNS — DNS (Domain Name System) is the correct service because it resolves hostnames (like \\fileserver) to IP addresses in a Windows domain environment. When a user types \\fileserver in File Explorer, the client queries DNS to obtain the server's IP address, enabling SMB file sharing. Active Directory relies on DNS for service location and name resolution, making it the mandatory service for this task.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 220-1201
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A customer reports that their laptop can connect to the internet via a wired connection but cannot access any network shares or printers by hostname. They can ping the IP address of the file server. Which network service is most likely misconfigured?
easy- A.DHCP
- ✓ B.DNS
- C.NAT
- D.ARP
Why B: The user can ping the file server by IP address, which confirms that basic IP connectivity (Layer 3) is working. However, they cannot access network shares or printers by hostname, which indicates that the system cannot resolve those hostnames to IP addresses. DNS (Domain Name System) is the service responsible for translating hostnames to IP addresses, so a misconfigured DNS server or client DNS settings would cause exactly this symptom.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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