- A
The default gateway setting on the user's computer.
Why wrong: Pinging the server successfully shows that routing is working, so the gateway is likely correct.
- B
The web server's firewall settings.
Since ICMP (ping) works but HTTP does not, a firewall on the server may be blocking the web traffic.
- C
The user's IP address for a conflict.
Why wrong: An IP conflict would cause intermittent connectivity, but the successful ping indicates no conflict.
- D
The subnet mask on the user's computer.
Why wrong: The subnet mask 255.255.0.0 allows communication between 10.10.20.15 and 10.10.10.50, as they are on the same /16 network.
Question 281 of 1,020
Application Layer Troubleshooting: Next Steps When Ping Works but Service Fails
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 troubleshooting a user's computer that cannot access a web server at 10.10.10.50. The user's IP is 10.10.20.15 with subnet mask 255.255.0.0. The technician can ping 10.10.10.50 from the user's computer. What should the technician check next?
Quick Answer
The correct next step is to check the web server’s firewall settings. Because the technician can successfully ping 10.10.10.50 from the user’s computer, network-layer connectivity and IP addressing are confirmed—the subnet mask 255.255.0.0 places both devices on the same network, so routing is not the issue. When ping succeeds but the service fails, the problem shifts to the application layer, where a firewall may be blocking HTTP or HTTPS traffic, or the web server itself could be misconfigured. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the OSI model and layered troubleshooting methodology; a common trap is to keep checking network settings after a successful ping. Remember the memory tip: “Ping works, service fails? Think firewall or app trails.”
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 web server's firewall settings.
Since the technician can successfully ping the web server (10.10.10.50) from the user's computer, Layer 3 connectivity is verified. This rules out issues with the user's IP configuration, subnet mask, and default gateway. The problem is therefore specific to the web server's firewall blocking HTTP/HTTPS traffic (port 80/443) while allowing ICMP (ping). Checking the web server's firewall settings is the logical next step.
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 default gateway setting on the user's computer.
Why it's wrong here
Pinging the server successfully shows that routing is working, so the gateway is likely correct.
- ✓
The web server's firewall settings.
- ✗
The user's IP address for a conflict.
Why it's wrong here
An IP conflict would cause intermittent connectivity, but the successful ping indicates no conflict.
- ✗
The subnet mask on the user's computer.
Why it's wrong here
The subnet mask 255.255.0.0 allows communication between 10.10.20.15 and 10.10.10.50, as they are on the same /16 network.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
This question tests the distinction between Layer 3 reachability (ping) and Layer 4/7 application access (HTTP). It is common to assume a client-side issue when the server's firewall is actually blocking the specific traffic.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Pinging the server successfully shows that routing is working, so the gateway is likely correct.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Firewalls often apply different rules to different protocols; ICMP (used by ping) may be permitted while TCP ports 80/443 are blocked. The technician should verify the web server's firewall rules using commands like `iptables -L` (Linux) or `netsh advfirewall firewall show rule` (Windows). In real-world scenarios, this is a common misconfiguration where administrators allow ping for troubleshooting but forget to open the application ports.
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
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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 web server's firewall settings. — Since the technician can successfully ping the web server (10.10.10.50) from the user's computer, Layer 3 connectivity is verified. This rules out issues with the user's IP configuration, subnet mask, and default gateway. The problem is therefore specific to the web server's firewall blocking HTTP/HTTPS traffic (port 80/443) while allowing ICMP (ping). Checking the web server's firewall settings is the logical next step.
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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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 technician is troubleshooting a network where a user cannot access a web server at 10.0.0.50. The user's workstation has an IP of 10.0.0.25 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. The technician pings 10.0.0.50 and gets a reply, but the web page does not load. What should the technician check next?
medium- A.Verify the default gateway on the workstation.
- ✓ B.Check if the web server's firewall is blocking HTTP/HTTPS traffic.
- C.Change the workstation's IP address to a different subnet.
- D.Replace the network cable between the workstation and switch.
Why B: The ping reply confirms Layer 3 connectivity between the workstation and the web server, so the issue is not with IP routing or the default gateway. Since the web page does not load despite successful ICMP echo replies, the problem is likely at Layer 4 or above, such as the web server's firewall blocking HTTP (port 80) or HTTPS (port 443) traffic. The technician should check the server's firewall rules to ensure these ports are open.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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