A Windows user cannot reach a website by its domain name. Arrange the steps a technician should follow to determine whether the issue is caused by name resolution (testing direct IP reachability first) and attempt client-side remediation.

### Why this is right Testing the IP address first checks whether the destination can be reached without depending on hostname lookup. Testing the hostname next includes name resolution; if results differ, clearing a potentially stale local cache is a reasonable follow-up before comparing again. ### The concept Name resolution translates a hostname into network information such as an IP address. Comparing a test to an IP address with a test to a hostname helps separate some name-resolution problems from basic reachability problems. Flushing the cache is a troubleshooting step when stale local results are suspected, not a universal fix. After clearing it, repeat the relevant test to see whether the evidence changed. A failed ping still does not prove the website is unavailable, because echo requests may be filtered even when web traffic is allowed. ### The order 1. **Test connectivity to the destination IP address with `ping`.** This checks reachability without first looking up the hostname. 2. **Test the website hostname with `ping`.** This adds the name-resolution step to the test. 3. **If needed, clear the local DNS cache with `ipconfig /flushdns`.** Do this when a stale cached result is a plausible cause. 4. **Compare the results to assess whether name resolution may be involved.** The comparison helps narrow the cause but does not prove it alone. ### Terms - **IP address**: A numeric network address used to identify a device or interface. - **Hostname**: A human-readable name associated with a device or service. - **Name resolution**: The process of obtaining network records for a hostname. - **DNS cache**: Locally stored results from previous DNS lookups. - **Filtered**: Traffic blocked or not answered by a network or host rule. ### Remember Compare an IP-based test with a hostname-based test to distinguish reachability evidence from name-resolution evidence.