- A
DHCP server
Why wrong: Since the user set a static IP, DHCP is not needed; the issue is likely DNS.
- B
DNS server
Without a DNS server address, the laptop cannot resolve domain names, making internet access fail even with correct IP settings.
- C
NAT
Why wrong: NAT is a router function; the user's static configuration doesn't affect it, and local pings work, so NAT is likely fine.
- D
Proxy server
Why wrong: A proxy is not required for basic internet access; DNS is the primary missing service.
Question 154 of 1,020
Static IP Configuration: Missing DNS Server
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network services. 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 user configures their laptop to use a static IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway. They can ping other devices on the same subnet but cannot reach the internet. What network service is most likely missing from their configuration?
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.
Quick Answer
The answer is a missing DNS server configuration. When a static IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway are manually set, the device can communicate locally because it knows how to reach other hosts on the same subnet, but without a DNS server address, it cannot translate domain names like google.com into IP addresses, which is why internet access by name fails. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the difference between local connectivity and name resolution; a common trap is assuming the default gateway alone provides internet access, but it only handles routing, not domain lookups. Remember, static IP configuration requires you to manually enter all four critical values: IP, subnet, gateway, and DNS. A helpful memory tip is “No DNS, no names”—without that server address, your browser cannot find any website by its URL.
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 server
A static IP configuration includes the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway, but if the DNS server address is not manually set, the laptop cannot resolve domain names to IP addresses. Since the user can ping devices on the same subnet (local connectivity works) but cannot reach the internet, the missing DNS server prevents name resolution for external hosts, even though routing via the default gateway is functional.
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 server
- ✓
DNS server
Why this is correct
Without a DNS server address, the laptop cannot resolve domain names, making internet access fail even with correct IP settings.
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.
- ✗
NAT
Why it's wrong here
NAT is a router function; the user's static configuration doesn't affect it, and local pings work, so NAT is likely fine.
- ✗
Proxy server
Why it's wrong here
A proxy is not required for basic internet access; DNS is the primary missing service.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume internet access requires DHCP or NAT on the client, but the question explicitly states a static IP is configured, so the missing piece is the DNS server address, which is essential for name resolution but not for IP-level connectivity.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DNS (Domain Name System) resolves fully qualified domain names (FQDNs) to IP addresses using UDP port 53 by default. Without a DNS server entry in the network adapter's IPv4 properties, the laptop cannot perform a DNS query, so commands like ping google.com fail with 'Ping request could not find host' even though the default gateway provides Layer 3 routing to the internet. In real-world scenarios, administrators often forget to set DNS when using static IPs for servers or printers, leading to internet access failures despite successful pings to external IP addresses.
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
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
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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 server — A static IP configuration includes the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway, but if the DNS server address is not manually set, the laptop cannot resolve domain names to IP addresses. Since the user can ping devices on the same subnet (local connectivity works) but cannot reach the internet, the missing DNS server prevents name resolution for external hosts, even though routing via the default gateway is functional.
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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