- A
The printer's subnet mask is wrong.
Why wrong: The printer's subnet mask 255.255.0.0 is correct for the 172.16.0.0 network; the issue is with the other workstation's network.
- B
The workstation with IP 172.17.0.10 is on a different network and needs a router to reach the printer.
172.17.0.10 is on the 172.17.0.0/16 network, which is separate from 172.16.0.0/16, so they require a router to communicate.
- C
The printer has a duplicate IP address.
Why wrong: There is no indication of a duplicate IP; the printer is reachable from one workstation.
- D
The default gateway on the printer is missing.
Why wrong: A default gateway is only needed to reach other networks, but the printer can be reached from within its own network; the issue is the other workstation's location.
220-1201 IP Addressing Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of ip addressing. 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 technician is configuring a new printer on a network with the IP 172.16.0.50 and subnet mask 255.255.0.0. The router's LAN IP is 172.16.0.1. A workstation with IP 172.16.1.10 can ping the printer, but a workstation with IP 172.17.0.10 cannot. What is the most likely reason?
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 workstation with IP 172.17.0.10 is on a different network and needs a router to reach the printer.
The workstation with IP 172.17.0.10 has a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0, so it considers its local network to be 172.17.0.0/16. The printer's IP 172.16.0.50 is on the 172.16.0.0/16 network. Since these are different classful networks (172.16.0.0 vs 172.17.0.0), the workstation will send traffic to its default gateway (the router) for delivery. If the router is not configured to route between these subnets, or if the workstation lacks a default gateway, the ping fails. Option B correctly identifies that the workstation is on a different network and requires a router to reach the printer.
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.
- ✗
The printer's subnet mask is wrong.
Why it's wrong here
The printer's subnet mask 255.255.0.0 is correct for the 172.16.0.0 network; the issue is with the other workstation's network.
- ✓
The workstation with IP 172.17.0.10 is on a different network and needs a router to reach the printer.
Why this is correct
172.17.0.10 is on the 172.17.0.0/16 network, which is separate from 172.16.0.0/16, so they require a router to communicate.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The printer has a duplicate IP address.
Why it's wrong here
There is no indication of a duplicate IP; the printer is reachable from one workstation.
- ✗
The default gateway on the printer is missing.
Why it's wrong here
A default gateway is only needed to reach other networks, but the printer can be reached from within its own network; the issue is the other workstation's location.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that a printer's default gateway is required for any communication, but the trap here is that the default gateway is only needed for traffic leaving the local subnet, not for receiving replies from a host on the same subnet, and the real issue is the workstation being on a different network without proper routing.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When a host sends an IP packet, it performs a logical AND of its own IP and subnet mask to determine its local network, then compares that to the destination's network. If they differ, the packet is forwarded to the default gateway. In this scenario, the workstation 172.17.0.10 with mask 255.255.0.0 computes its network as 172.17.0.0/16, while the printer is on 172.16.0.0/16, so the workstation must use a router. If the router lacks a route to 172.16.0.0/16 or has an ACL blocking the traffic, the ping fails. This is a classic inter-VLAN or inter-subnet routing issue, often tested with the 'same network vs. different network' concept.
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 network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
Visual reference
Quick reference
IPv4 Address Class Summary
| Class | First Octet Range | Default Mask | Networks | Hosts per Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1–126 | /8 (255.0.0.0) | 126 | 16,777,214 |
| B | 128–191 | /16 (255.255.0.0) | 16,384 | 65,534 |
| C | 192–223 | /24 (255.255.255.0) | 2,097,152 | 254 |
| D | 224–239 | N/A | Multicast groups | — |
| E | 240–255 | N/A | Reserved / experimental | — |
127.x.x.x is reserved for loopback. Modern networks use CIDR (classless) rather than classful addressing.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
IP Addressing — This question tests IP Addressing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The workstation with IP 172.17.0.10 is on a different network and needs a router to reach the printer. — The workstation with IP 172.17.0.10 has a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0, so it considers its local network to be 172.17.0.0/16. The printer's IP 172.16.0.50 is on the 172.16.0.0/16 network. Since these are different classful networks (172.16.0.0 vs 172.17.0.0), the workstation will send traffic to its default gateway (the router) for delivery. If the router is not configured to route between these subnets, or if the workstation lacks a default gateway, the ping fails. Option B correctly identifies that the workstation is on a different network and requires a router to reach the printer.
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.
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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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