101 · Question #703
Which type of DNS request should the client send to its configured DNS server?
The correct answer is B. type A. A DNS type A query is the standard request a client sends to resolve a hostname to an IPv4 address.
Question
Which type of DNS request should the client send to its configured DNS server?
Options
- Atype NS
- Btype A
- Ctype AAAA
- Dtype MX
How the community answered
(69 responses)- A1% (1)
- B87% (60)
- C4% (3)
- D7% (5)
Why each option
A DNS type A query is the standard request a client sends to resolve a hostname to an IPv4 address.
A type NS query retrieves the authoritative name server records for a domain zone, not the IP address of a specific host.
A DNS type A record maps a fully qualified domain name to a 32-bit IPv4 address and is the most common DNS record type as defined in RFC 1035. When a client needs to resolve a hostname to an IP address to initiate a connection, it sends a type A query to its configured DNS resolver. This is the default and expected query type for standard hostname-to-IPv4 resolution.
A type AAAA query resolves a hostname to a 128-bit IPv6 address, not the IPv4 address that a type A record provides.
A type MX query retrieves mail exchange records specifying which servers handle email delivery for a domain, unrelated to general host resolution.
Concept tested: DNS type A record for IPv4 hostname resolution
Source: https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc1035
Topics
Community Discussion
5
Nina C.Feb 10, 2026The answer is B, type A, because a type A record is what maps a hostname to an IPv4 address, and when a client wants to reach a website or server by name, it sends a type A query to its DNS server to get that address back. The other options are for different purposes, NS points to name servers, AAAA is for IPv6, and MX is for mail routing, so none of those are what a regular client lookup is doing.
Orla P.Feb 14, 2026B is the right call here. When a client wants to resolve a hostname to an IPv4 address, it sends a type A query to its configured DNS server, which is the bread-and-butter lookup you see happen every time someone types a URL into a browser. The other options each serve a specific purpose but are not what a standard client-to-server resolution request looks like: NS records point to authoritative nameservers, AAAA handles IPv6 addresses, and MX records are only relevant when mail is being routed. For the exam, just remember that type A equals hostname to IPv4, and that is the default query a client sends when it needs to reach something by name.
Bao N.Jan 14, 2026Type NS tells the server which nameserver handles that domain, that is your first move.
Fatima Z.Jan 15, 2026Bao, NS just points you to the right librarian, but answer B, the A record, is what actually hands you the IP address and gets traffic moving to the host. Think of it this way, "A is for Address, and Address is the Answer."
Fatima Z.Jan 27, 2026Okay yes technically "type A" sounds boring compared to the glamorous AAAA crew, but remember the hook: "A is for Address, and a client just wants the plain old IPv4 address of its destination, period." MX is for mail servers and NS is for name servers, so if you ever mix those up just say "Mail eXchange, Name Server, Address" and keep A locked in your brain as the client's first call every time.