- A
192.168.1.0
Why wrong: Incorrect. 192.168.1.0 is the network address and cannot be assigned to a host.
- B
192.168.1.255
Why wrong: Incorrect. 192.168.1.255 is the broadcast address for the subnet and cannot be assigned to a host.
- C
192.168.1.50
Correct. 192.168.1.50 is within the usable range (1-254) and can be assigned as a static IP, provided it's not in the DHCP pool.
- D
192.168.2.1
Why wrong: Incorrect. 192.168.2.1 is on a different subnet (192.168.2.0/24) and would not be reachable without routing.
Question 87 of 1,020
Static IP Assignment for a Server: Choosing the Right Address on a /24 Subnet
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of ip addressing. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 setting up a new file server and needs to assign it a static IP address. The network uses a subnet of 192.168.1.0/24, and the router's LAN IP is 192.168.1.1. The technician wants to ensure the server is reachable from all devices on the local network. Which of the following IP addresses should the technician assign to the server?
Quick Answer
The answer is 192.168.1.50. On a /24 subnet (255.255.255.0), the usable host range is 192.168.1.1 through 192.168.1.254, but the .1 address is almost always reserved for the default gateway, which in this case is the router at 192.168.1.1. Choosing an address like .50 ensures the server is on the same broadcast domain and reachable by all local devices, provided it falls outside the DHCP auto-assignment pool to prevent IP conflicts. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your understanding of subnetting fundamentals and the practical need to reserve static IPs for critical devices like servers. A common trap is selecting .1 or .255 (the broadcast address), so remember: the gateway owns .1, and .255 is for broadcasts. A handy memory tip is “Server stays steady, so pick an address that’s already ready—avoid .1 and the DHCP pool.”
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
✓
192.168.1.50
Option C (192.168.1.50) is correct because it falls within the usable host range of the 192.168.1.0/24 subnet (192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254) and is not reserved for the network address or broadcast address. Assigning this static IP ensures the server is reachable from all devices on the local network, as it is on the same subnet as the router's LAN IP (192.168.1.1).
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.
- ✗
192.168.1.0
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. 192.168.1.0 is the network address and cannot be assigned to a host.
- ✗
192.168.1.255
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. 192.168.1.255 is the broadcast address for the subnet and cannot be assigned to a host.
- ✓
192.168.1.50
Why this is correct
Correct. 192.168.1.50 is within the usable range (1-254) and can be assigned as a static IP, provided it's not in the DHCP pool.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
192.168.2.1
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. 192.168.2.1 is on a different subnet (192.168.2.0/24) and would not be reachable without routing.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the network address (192.168.1.0) or broadcast address (192.168.1.255) as valid host IPs, or they pick an IP from a different subnet (192.168.2.1) thinking it will still work, failing to recognize that devices on different subnets require a router to communicate.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In a /24 subnet, the first address (network ID) and last address (broadcast) are reserved by RFC 919 and RFC 922, leaving 254 usable host addresses. The router's LAN IP at 192.168.1.1 serves as the default gateway, and the server must use a unique IP within the same subnet to communicate directly via ARP and Ethernet switching. A common real-world scenario is misconfiguring a server with the broadcast address, causing network-wide disruptions as the server attempts to process all broadcast traffic.
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
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: 192.168.1.50 — Option C (192.168.1.50) is correct because it falls within the usable host range of the 192.168.1.0/24 subnet (192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254) and is not reserved for the network address or broadcast address. Assigning this static IP ensures the server is reachable from all devices on the local network, as it is on the same subnet as the router's LAN IP (192.168.1.1).
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.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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