A systems administrator deploys a new web server with a static IP address of 172.16.10.100 and a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. The server can successfully ping other devices on the 172.16.10.0/24 network, including the router at 172.16.10.1. However, the server cannot access the internet. A tracert 8.8.8.8 command fails on the first hop, returning a 'Destination host unreachable' message that appears to originate from the server's own IP address (172.16.10.100). Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of this issue?
The correct answer is that the server's default gateway setting is missing or unconfigured. The 'Destination host unreachable' message originating from the server's own IP address indicates that the server's operating system does not have a route to the destination IP (8.8.8.8). For any traffic destined for a network outside its local subnet, the server must send the packet to its default gateway. Without a configured default gateway, the server's own networking stack determines it has no path to the destination and returns the error.
A firewall blocking outbound ICMP traffic would typically result in a 'Request timed out' message or a rejection message from the firewall itself, not a 'Destination host unreachable' from the source server.
A DNS server misconfiguration would prevent the resolution of hostnames to IP addresses. Since the test was performed using an IP address (8.8.8.8), DNS is not a factor in this specific failure.
A faulty network cable is unlikely because the scenario states the server can successfully communicate with other devices on the local network.
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Why would 'Destination host unreachable' originate from the server's IP?