- A
Ability to communicate with the printer
Why wrong: The printer is on the same subnet, so communication is possible without a default gateway using ARP and direct MAC addressing.
- B
Ability to access the internet
Without a default gateway, the computer cannot send packets to destinations outside its own subnet, so internet access is lost.
- C
Ability to obtain an IP address via DHCP
Why wrong: The IP is assigned manually, so DHCP is not used; the default gateway is irrelevant to IP assignment.
- D
Ability to resolve DNS names
Why wrong: DNS resolution may still work if the DNS server is on the same subnet, but typically DNS servers are external; however, the primary loss is internet routing.
Question 524 of 1,020
Missing Default Gateway: Local LAN Works, Internet Access Lost
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network configuration concepts. 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 small network with five computers and a printer. The network must use private IP addresses and allow all devices to communicate. The technician assigns IPs manually but forgets to set a default gateway on one computer. Which functionality will be lost on that computer?
Quick Answer
The answer is the ability to access the internet. Without a default gateway, a computer can still communicate with other devices on the same local LAN because it uses ARP to resolve local IP addresses directly, but it cannot route traffic to external networks. The default gateway acts as the exit point for any packet destined outside the local subnet, so when it is missing, the computer has no way to reach the internet or any other remote network. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this concept tests your understanding of basic IP configuration and routing; a common trap is assuming all communication fails, but local traffic remains unaffected. A helpful memory tip is to think of the default gateway as the “door to the outside world”—without it, you can still talk to your neighbors, but you cannot leave the neighborhood.
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
✓
Ability to access the internet
The default gateway is the router's IP address that provides a path to networks outside the local subnet. Without a default gateway, the computer can still communicate with other devices on the same local network (like the printer and other computers) using ARP and direct MAC addressing, but it cannot reach any destination outside its own subnet, including the internet. The technician manually assigned IPs, so DHCP is not involved, and DNS resolution would still work for local names but would fail for external names only because the DNS query packets cannot leave the subnet without a gateway.
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.
- ✗
Ability to communicate with the printer
Why it's wrong here
The printer is on the same subnet, so communication is possible without a default gateway using ARP and direct MAC addressing.
- ✓
Ability to access the internet
Why this is correct
Without a default gateway, the computer cannot send packets to destinations outside its own subnet, so internet access is lost.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Ability to obtain an IP address via DHCP
Why it's wrong here
The IP is assigned manually, so DHCP is not used; the default gateway is irrelevant to IP assignment.
- ✗
Ability to resolve DNS names
Why it's wrong here
DNS resolution may still work if the DNS server is on the same subnet, but typically DNS servers are external; however, the primary loss is internet routing.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common misconception is that a missing default gateway prevents all communication, but the trap here is that local subnet communication (like with a printer) works fine because it uses ARP and direct MAC addressing, not routing.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When a host sends a packet to a destination outside its own subnet, it checks its routing table; if no specific route matches, it uses the default gateway (0.0.0.0/0 route) as the next hop. Without that route, the host will not even attempt to send the packet, resulting in a 'No route to host' error. In a real-world scenario, a technician might misconfigure a static IP on a server and wonder why it can ping local workstations but not reach the internet, even though DNS servers are correctly set.
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
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
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.
- →
Network Configuration Concepts — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Network Configuration Concepts practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All 220-1201 questions
1,020 questions across all exam domains
- →
CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
220-1201 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related 220-1201 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Mobile Device Hardware Servicing practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Hardware Servicing.
Mobile Device Connection Methods practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Connection Methods.
Mobile Device Accessories practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Accessories.
Mobile Device Network Connectivity practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Network Connectivity.
Mobile Device Application Support practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Application Support.
Network Protocols practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Protocols.
TCP & UDP Ports practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to TCP & UDP Ports.
Wireless Networking Technologies practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Wireless Networking Technologies.
Network Services practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Services.
Network Configuration Concepts practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Configuration Concepts.
Common Networking Hardware practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Common Networking Hardware.
IP Addressing practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to IP Addressing.
Practice this exam
Start a free 220-1201 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Network Configuration Concepts — This question tests Network Configuration Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Ability to access the internet — The default gateway is the router's IP address that provides a path to networks outside the local subnet. Without a default gateway, the computer can still communicate with other devices on the same local network (like the printer and other computers) using ARP and direct MAC addressing, but it cannot reach any destination outside its own subnet, including the internet. The technician manually assigned IPs, so DHCP is not involved, and DNS resolution would still work for local names but would fail for external names only because the DNS query packets cannot leave the subnet without a gateway.
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 →
Keep practising
More 220-1201 practice questions
- During a network cable installation, a technician needs to verify that a newly run Cat6 cable is properly terminated and…
- A user connects a 4K monitor to their laptop using a USB-C port. The monitor is detected, but the resolution is stuck at…
- A technician is troubleshooting a laptop that will not charge. The battery is removable, and the power adapter works on…
- A customer brings in a smartphone with a broken charging port. They want the port replaced. During disassembly, the tech…
- A user reports that their laptop's keyboard types random characters when certain keys are pressed. The laptop has not be…
- A technician is troubleshooting a laptop that shuts down randomly after a few minutes of use. The fan is spinning, and t…
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 220-1201 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 220-1201 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.