- A
The subnet mask is incorrect.
Why wrong: The subnet mask 255.255.255.0 is correct for a /24 network and matches the IP.
- B
The default gateway is on a different subnet.
The gateway 192.168.2.1 is on a different subnet than the device's IP 192.168.1.25, so the device cannot send packets to it.
- C
The IP address is a broadcast address.
Why wrong: 192.168.1.25 is a valid host address, not the broadcast address (which would be 192.168.1.255).
- D
The DNS server is misconfigured.
Why wrong: DNS issues would affect name resolution, but the inability to ping the gateway indicates a routing problem, not DNS.
Question 287 of 1,020
Default Gateway on Different Subnet: Why Local Ping Works but Internet 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 user reports that they cannot access the internet, but they can ping other devices on the local network. The technician checks the IP configuration and sees: IP: 192.168.1.25, Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0, Default Gateway: 192.168.2.1. What is the issue?
Quick Answer
The answer is that the default gateway is on a different subnet, which prevents internet access despite successful local pings. This occurs because a device can only communicate directly with hosts on its own subnet; for traffic to reach the internet, the default gateway must share the same network ID as the device’s IP address. In this scenario, the IP 192.168.1.25 with a 255.255.255.0 mask places it on the 192.168.1.0/24 network, while the gateway 192.168.2.1 belongs to 192.168.2.0/24, making it unreachable without a router between them. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this concept tests your understanding of IP addressing and routing fundamentals, often appearing as a common trap where the gateway is misconfigured with a different third octet. A reliable memory tip is “gateway must be on your own block”—if the subnet mask is 255.255.255.0, the first three octets of the IP and gateway must match for local reachability.
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 default gateway is on a different subnet.
The default gateway 192.168.2.1 is not on the same subnet as the host IP 192.168.1.25 with subnet mask 255.255.255.0. For a /24 network, the host's subnet is 192.168.1.0/24, while the gateway belongs to 192.168.2.0/24. The host will ARP for the gateway but never receive a reply because the gateway is on a different Layer 2 broadcast domain, making internet access impossible despite local connectivity.
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 subnet mask is incorrect.
Why it's wrong here
The subnet mask 255.255.255.0 is correct for a /24 network and matches the IP.
- ✓
The default gateway is on a different subnet.
Why this is correct
The gateway 192.168.2.1 is on a different subnet than the device's IP 192.168.1.25, so the device cannot send packets to it.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The IP address is a broadcast address.
Why it's wrong here
192.168.1.25 is a valid host address, not the broadcast address (which would be 192.168.1.255).
- ✗
The DNS server is misconfigured.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the concept that a host can only communicate directly with devices on its own subnet; the trap here is that candidates see a valid IP and gateway and assume the issue is DNS or the subnet mask, overlooking the subnet mismatch between the host and gateway.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When a host sends traffic to a destination outside its own subnet, it encapsulates the packet in a frame destined for the default gateway's MAC address, obtained via ARP. If the gateway is on a different subnet, the host will send an ARP request that never reaches the gateway (since ARP is not routed), causing the packet to be dropped. This scenario is common when static IP configuration is entered manually and the gateway octet is mistyped, e.g., 192.168.2.1 instead of 192.168.1.1.
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
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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 default gateway is on a different subnet. — The default gateway 192.168.2.1 is not on the same subnet as the host IP 192.168.1.25 with subnet mask 255.255.255.0. For a /24 network, the host's subnet is 192.168.1.0/24, while the gateway belongs to 192.168.2.0/24. The host will ARP for the gateway but never receive a reply because the gateway is on a different Layer 2 broadcast domain, making internet access impossible despite local connectivity.
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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