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Difficulty: HardIP Addressing and Network Configuration

A network technician is troubleshooting a workstation that cannot access resources on remote subnets or resolve domain names. The technician runs `ipconfig /all` on the workstation and receives the following output:

IPv4 Address: 169.254.184.22
Subnet Mask: 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway:
DNS Server: 10.10.1.5

Which TWO of the following statements accurately explain the host's current networking state and the required corrective actions? (Select TWO.)

  1. The host automatically generated an APIPA address because it was unable to contact a DHCP server to obtain an IP lease.Answer
  2. The host cannot communicate with the configured DNS server at 10.10.1.5 because it lacks a valid routable IP configuration and default gateway.Answer
  3. C
    The DNS server at 10.10.1.5 must be updated to assign dynamic IP address leases to client hosts on this subnet segment.
  4. D
    An unmanaged Layer 2 switch should be installed on the local segment to route APIPA traffic to the remote network.

Answer

The host automatically self-assigned an APIPA address because it could not contact a DHCP server, and it cannot communicate with the DNS server at 10.10.1.5 due to lacking a routable IP address and default gateway.
The presence of a 169.254.x.x IPv4 address indicates that the host attempted dynamic configuration but failed to reach a DHCP server, causing the operating system to self-assign an APIPA address. Furthermore, because APIPA addresses are link-local non-routable addresses and no default gateway is assigned, the client cannot communicate beyond its local segment to access the DNS server located at 10.10.1.5.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the IP address output
The IP address 169.254.184.22 belongs to the Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) range (169.254.0.0/16).
When a host configured for dynamic IP addressing fails to receive a DHCP response, the operating system self-assigns an APIPA address.
2
Evaluate network routability and gateway configuration
APIPA addresses are non-routable link-local addresses, and the Default Gateway field is empty.
Without a valid routable IP address and default gateway, IP packets cannot leave the local Layer 2 broadcast domain to reach remote IP targets such as 10.10.1.5.
3
Differentiate server responsibilities and routing requirements
DHCP (not DNS) leases IP configurations, and routers (Layer 3 devices, not Layer 2 unmanaged switches) interconnect subnets.
Confusing DNS/DHCP server roles or Layer 2/Layer 3 boundaries leads to incorrect diagnostic conclusions.

Key Concept

APIPA functionality, link-local routing limitations, and distinguishing DHCP vs DNS roles
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Topics

IP Addressing and Network Configuration

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