350-401 Question #492: Real Exam Question with Answer & Explanation

Question

Refer to the exhibit. An engineer is troubleshooting a connectivity issue and executes a traceoute. What does the result confirm?

Options

• AThe destination server reported it is too busy
• BThe protocol is unreachable
• CThe destination port is unreachable
• DThe probe timed out

Explanation

Traceroute Timeout Explanation

When a traceroute probe receives no response within the allotted time, the tool displays an asterisk (*) or the message "Request timed out" for that hop - this indicates the probe timed out (D), meaning either the router is not responding to TTL-expired packets or a firewall is silently dropping them.

• Option A is wrong because a "too busy" condition would still generate an ICMP response; the server would need to actively reply to communicate that status.
• Option B is wrong because "Protocol Unreachable" is a specific ICMP Type 3, Code 2 message that would appear as an actual response, not a timeout.
• Option C is wrong because "Destination Port Unreachable" is ICMP Type 3, Code 3, which also generates an active response - commonly seen when using UDP-based traceroute hitting a closed port at the final destination.

💡 Memory Tip: Think of it this way - asterisks = absence of reply = timeout. Any actual ICMP error message (unreachable, busy, etc.) requires the remote device to actively send something back. If nothing comes back, the probe simply timed out.

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