What an Iterative DNS Query Does

200-301 By islever Editorial Last updated

Explain the role of DHCP and DNS within the network

Short answer

C In an iterative query the client follows referrals, contacting several DNS servers in turn until it obtains the answer.

Question

Which function does an iterative DNS query serve in the domain name resolution process?
  1. Obtain information directly from all root DNS servers configured within the scope.
  2. Encrypt communication automatically between DNS clients and servers.
  3. Allow a DNS client to contact several DNS servers until the correct information is found. Correct Answer
  4. Update records dynamically across multiple DNS servers at the same time.

Key Takeaways

Iterative = the server returns its best answer or a referral and does not chase the answer for you; the client walks the referral chain. (Recursive is the opposite: the server does the full resolution.)

With an iterative query, the resolver asks a server; if that server lacks the record, it returns a referral to another server rather than resolving fully. The client (or its resolver) then queries the referred server, repeating until the answer is found.

Common mistake: Picking A (root servers contacted directly) or D (dynamic update): those are unrelated. B (encryption) is not what iterative means.

Expert Analysis

Why the Answer Is Correct

C is correct. An iterative DNS query lets the client follow referrals from server to server, querying each in turn, until the requested record is found.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

A is wrong: the client does not contact all root servers directly. B is wrong: iterative is not about encryption. D is wrong: dynamic record updates are a separate DNS function.

Community Comment Notes

The vote is C (100). Commenters describe the client querying a server, getting a referral, and following it iteratively until the information is found.

Official Reference

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/ccna-exam-topics

This link opens the official vendor documentation in a new tab.

Community Votes

C
100%

100% of anonymous learners picked answer C. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.

Discussion 6 contributions

Compiled from public community threads and reader submissions, lightly edited for clarity. Handles and vote tallies are shown as recorded, and comments reflect the views of individual contributors.

From public community threads 6

  1. Rushit23 👍 2
    C. Allow a DNS client to contact several DNS servers until the correct information is found.
  2. d8ed180 👍 1 Answered C
    C. Allow a DNS client to contact several DNS servers until the correct information is found. In an iterative DNS query, the DNS client queries a DNS server, and if that server does not have the requested information, it returns the best answer it can provide (often a referral to another DNS server). The client will then follow those referrals, contacting each server iteratively until it either finds the requested information or exhausts its search.
  3. MistyUnicorn 👍 1 Answered C
    iterative... to search something iterative... C is the answer lol
  4. dimo475 👍 1
    it is C. Admin should correct this.
  5. 3040636 👍 3
    C is the answer
Show 1 more comment
  1. exiledwl 👍 2 Answered C
    Chatgpt says C

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