Networking 20% Flashcards

Question

Which of the following network devices would an administrator use to distribute traffic evenly throughout multiple nodes? A. Load balancer B. Bridge C. Proxy server D. Switch E. Firewall

Answer 1

A. Load balancer ## Footnote A load balancer is designed to distribute incoming network traffic across multiple servers, optimizing resource utilization, improving responsiveness, and enhancing reliability and scalability. Here’s why the other options are incorrect: B. Bridge: A bridge connects network segments and forwards traffic based on MAC addresses, but it does not distribute traffic or balance loads. C. Proxy server: A proxy server forwards client requests to servers and responses back, optimizing traffic but not specifically designed for load balancing. D. Switch: A switch connects devices within a LAN and forwards data packets based on MAC addresses, but it does not handle load balancing. E. Firewall: A firewall monitors and controls network traffic for security purposes, but it does not perform load balancing functions.

Answer 2

A. Switches only send data to the specific computer, while hubs send data to all computers inside the network. ## Footnote The key difference between hubs and switches lies in their data handling: Switches: Create individual collision domains for each port, sending data only to the intended recipient. This reduces congestion and improves performance. Hubs: Broadcast incoming data to all connected devices, leading to inefficient bandwidth use and potential congestion. Here’s why the other options are incorrect: B. Switches compress data, while hubs do not: Neither device compresses data; both focus on forwarding. C. Switches route data to all computers, while hubs do not: Switches forward data based on MAC addresses; hubs broadcast to all devices. D. Switches scramble data, while hubs send original data: Neither device manipulates data; both operate at Layer 2, focusing on forwarding packets based on MAC addresses.

Answer 3

B. Network tap ## Footnote A network tap is the most cost-effective way to monitor outbound traffic in a SOHO environment. It’s a passive device that copies data as it flows, allowing for real-time traffic analysis without affecting the original data. Incorrect Options: A. Spectrum analyzer: Primarily used to analyze wireless signals and interference, not for monitoring network traffic. C. Loopback plug: Tests network connectivity but doesn’t monitor outbound traffic. D. Toner probe: Used to trace cables; it doesn’t monitor traffic.

Answer 4

B. 25 ## Footnote SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) uses port 25 by default for sending email between servers. To allow SMTP traffic through a firewall, a systems administrator should enable port 25. Incorrect Options: A. Port 23: Used for Telnet, which is for remote terminal access, not email. C. Port 80: Used for HTTP, handling web traffic, not email. D. Port 161: Used for SNMP, focused on network management, not email.

Answer 5

d. Telnet ## Footnote Telnet is an insecure protocol for remote access because it transmits data, including login credentials, in plain text, making it vulnerable to interception by malicious users. Why Other Options Are Secure: a. SSH (Secure Shell): Uses encryption to secure communication, making it suitable for secure remote access. b. HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure): Encrypts data between a web server and browser using SSL/TLS, ensuring confidentiality and data integrity. c. SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol): Securely transfers files over SSH, providing encrypted file management as a secure alternative to FTP.

Answer 6

C. 80 (HTTP) F. 443 (HTTPS) ## Footnote Explanation: HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) uses port 80 by default for web page data transmission, while HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) uses port 443. HTTPS encrypts data between the web server and browser for secure communication. Why Other Options Are Incorrect: A. 23: Used by the Telnet protocol for remote access, not related to HTTP or HTTPS. B. 25: Utilized by SMTP for sending emails, not associated with HTTP or HTTPS. D. 143: Used by IMAP for retrieving emails, not related to HTTP or HTTPS. E. 389: Used by LDAP for directory services access, not associated with HTTP or HTTPS.

Answer 7

A. DHCP failure ## Footnote When a device receives an IP address in the 169.254.x.x range with a 255.255.0.0 subnet mask, it means it couldn’t get an IP address from a DHCP server. This range is used by Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) to allow local connectivity when DHCP fails. Why the Other Options Are Incorrect: B. ARP cache: ARP issues map IPs to MAC addresses and don’t cause the device to assign a 169.254.x.x IP. C. DNS resolution: DNS issues affect domain name access but don’t lead to a 169.254.x.x address, which indicates a DHCP problem. D. Duplicate IP address: This would cause an IP conflict error, not a 169.254.x.x address assignment.

Answer 8

B. 19.45.7.28 ## Footnote The IP address 19.45.7.28 is a public IP, making it appropriate for a WAN connection provided by an ISP. Why the Other Options Are Incorrect: A. 10.1.50.30: This is a private IP (RFC 1918) typically used for LANs, not for WAN connections. C. 169.254.168.10: This APIPA address is self-assigned when DHCP fails, not used for WAN connections. D. 172.22.40.6: Another private IP range (RFC 1918) for LANs, unsuitable for WAN connections.

Answer 9

A. Coaxial ## Footnote F-type connectors are commonly used with coaxial cables, which carry high-frequency signals for applications like cable TV and internet. Why Other Options Are Incorrect: B. Plenum: Plenum cables are used in air ducts for fire safety, not with F-type connectors. C. Cat 5e: Cat 5e cables are for Ethernet and use RJ-45 connectors, not F-type. D. Fiber: Fiber optic cables use connectors like SC, LC, or ST and are designed for data transmission using light, not F-type connectors.

Answer 10

D. Router ## Footnote In a SOHO environment, a router is typically used to connect devices to the internet. Routers forward data between the local network (LAN) and the internet (WAN) from the ISP. Other options explained: A. Hub: Connects multiple devices in a LAN but doesn’t support internet connectivity. It broadcasts data to all devices, making it inefficient for internet use. B. Ethernet gateway: This term is vague. A gateway connects networks, but just labeling a device as an "Ethernet gateway" lacks detail on internet connectivity. C. Wireless Access Point (WAP): Provides wireless connectivity within a network but doesn't connect directly to the internet. A router is still needed to link the LAN to the internet.

Answer 11

D. SAN ## Footnote A Storage Area Network (SAN) is ideal for connecting servers to high-speed storage in a server room. SANs provide block-level access, centralized storage management, scalability, and high performance, making them perfect for virtualized environments. Why other options aren’t correct: A. WAN: Connects networks over long distances but has higher latency and lower speeds than SANs, making it unsuitable for connecting servers to storage in a server room. B. PAN: Used for short-range personal device connections, not for server-to-storage connections. C. MAN: Connects networks within a city, but lacks the high-speed, low-latency performance required for server storage access.

Answer 12

A. DHCP ## Footnote The correct answer is DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), which allows networked devices to obtain IP addresses from a DHCP server. When configured with DHCP reservation, devices can be assigned a specific IP address based on their MAC address, ensuring they always receive the same IP address. Here’s why the other options are incorrect: b. LOAP (Location-Based Authentication Protocol): This is not a widely recognized network service and does not relate to IP address assignment. c. UTM (Unified Threat Management): UTM refers to a security solution combining various security features, but it doesn’t handle IP address assignment. d. DNS (Domain Name System): DNS resolves domain names to IP addresses but does not assign static IP addresses to devices.

Answer 13

B. 802.11ax ## Footnote The correct answer is 802.11ax, which is the latest Wi-Fi standard that supports multiple frequency bands, including 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz. This makes it one of the most advanced and efficient wireless networking technologies, offering higher throughput and better overall performance. Here’s why the other options are incorrect: A. 802.11a: This standard only operates in the 5GHz frequency band and does not support 2.4GHz. C. 802.11b: This older standard operates solely in the 2.4GHz frequency band and does not support 5GHz. D. 802.11g: Like 802.11b, this standard operates exclusively in the 2.4GHz frequency band and does not support 5GHz.

Answer 14

B. 2.4GHz penetrates solid objects more effectively. 5GHz provides faster data connections. E. 2.4GHz has a higher coverage area. 5GHz has higher bandwidth. ## Footnote 2.4GHz signals, due to their lower frequency, penetrate walls and solid objects more effectively and cover larger areas. This makes it ideal for environments with obstacles. 5GHz signals provide higher data rates because of their greater bandwidth, which supports faster speeds. However, they don’t penetrate walls as well and have a shorter range compared to 2.4GHz. Why Other Options Are Incorrect: A. Incorrect because 5GHz actually provides faster speeds, not slower. C. 2.4GHz generally has lower data rates than 5GHz, and the 5GHz band can support more than 23 channels, depending on the region. D. While 2.4GHz does have 11 channels, 5GHz can still experience interference, though typically less than 2.4GHz. F. 5GHz has higher bandwidth (not 2.4GHz), allowing faster data rates, and the transmit power varies by device and regulations.

Answer 15

B. DKIM ## Footnote DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) adds a digital signature to outgoing email headers to verify the sender and prevent spoofing. Incorrect options: ❌ A. SPF (sender policy fram Verifies if the sending server is authorized, but does not use digital signatures. ❌ C. DNS pointer Maps IP addresses to domain names (reverse DNS), not used for email authentication. ❌ D. MX records Direct where email should be delivered, not related to spoofing prevention.

Answer 16

C. A temporary assignment of an IP configuration to a device on the network ## Footnote Correct answer: ✅ C. A temporary assignment of an IP configuration to a device on the network A DHCP lease is a temporary IP address assignment given to a device for a set period. It must be renewed periodically. Incorrect options: ❌ A. A definition of the scope of addresses to be assigned to a device on the network This describes a DHCP scope, not a lease. ❌ B. A reservation of an IP configuration for a device on the network This refers to a DHCP reservation, which ensures the device gets the same IP every time. ❌ D. A translation of network names to IP addresses for a device on the network This describes DNS, not DHCP.

Answer 17

D. The workstation has the incorrect gateway ## Footnote The IP address (192.168.10.5) is in a different subnet than the gateway (192.168.1.1) when using a /24 netmask (255.255.255.0). They must be in the same subnet for routing to work. Incorrect options: ❌ A. Networking was not configured using DHCP Manual configuration is fine if values are correct. The issue is the mismatch, not DHCP. ❌ B. IPv6 should be used instead of IPv4 IPv4 is still widely used. The issue isn't related to protocol version. ❌ C. The netmask is wrong The /24 netmask is correct for either 192.168.10.x or 192.168.1.x—just not across both.

Answer 18

B. DHCP ## Footnote An APIPA address (169.254.x.x) means the system couldn’t reach a DHCP server to get an IP address. DHCP is the first service to check. Incorrect options: ❌ A. RADIUS Used for authentication, not for assigning IP addresses. ❌ C. AAA Also related to authentication and access control, not IP assignment. ❌ D. DNS Resolves names to IPs, but only works after a valid IP is assigned.

Answer 19

B. 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255 ## Footnote This range is part of the private IP address space, suitable for setting up a private network behind a retail router. Incorrect options: ❌ A. 170.50.0.0 to 170.50.255.255 This is a public IP range, not designated for private use. ❌ C. 224.0.0.0 to 224.255.255.255 Reserved for multicast, not standard networking. ❌ D. 239.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255 Also used for administrative multicast, not private addressing.

Answer 20

C. Categorizes incoming network messages ## Footnote A spam gateway is a specialized email security tool that acts as a filter for incoming and outgoing email traffic. Its primary function is to categorize and filter email messages, particularly identifying and blocking spam, phishing, and malicious emails before they reach the user's inbox. ❌ A. Serves as a repository for email routing logs This refers more to a mail server or log server, not a spam gateway's primary function. ❌ B. Blocks unrequested ICMP packets from external networks This is a firewall function, not related to spam or email filtering. ❌ D. Mitigates DDoS attacks DDoS mitigation is handled by firewalls or specialized DDoS protection services, not a spam gateway.

Answer 21

A. DNS | 127.0.0.1 = loopback address, hostname deals with DNS ## Footnote The error message says: "An attempt to resolve the hostname has failed." This indicates a DNS (Domain Name System) issue — the system cannot convert domain names (like the domain controller name) into IP addresses. From the ipconfig /all output: DNS Server: 127.0.0.1 This means the client is trying to use itself (localhost) as the DNS server. Unless this system is running its own DNS service (which is unlikely for a client computer), it will fail to resolve hostnames, including the domain controller's name, resulting in the error you're seeing. Why the other options are incorrect: ❌ B. Physical address: This is the MAC address — not related to name resolution or domain joining. ❌ C. Subnet mask: The subnet mask is standard and correct for a /24 network (255.255.255.0). No issue here. ❌ D. IPv4 address: 192.168.12.144 is a valid private IP address. ❌ E. Default gateway: The gateway is properly configured for the local subnet (192.168.12.254). It wouldn’t affect DNS resolution within the local network.

Answer 22

A. ac ## Footnote Correct Answer: A. ac ✅ A. ac – 802.11ac supports speeds well over 50Mbps (often exceeding 1Gbps) and operates primarily on the 5GHz band, which has shorter range and is less prone to interference, making it ideal for minimizing interference in a small space like a break room. ❌ B. b – 802.11b is outdated, operates at 2.4GHz, and supports speeds up to only 11Mbps, which is far below the requirement. ❌ C. g – 802.11g also uses 2.4GHz and supports speeds up to 54Mbps, but its range and susceptibility to interference make it a poor choice here. ❌ D. n – 802.11n supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz and can go above 50Mbps, but it has a longer range, which increases the chance of interfering with other access points, making ac the better choice.

Answer 23

D. Hyperthreading ## Footnote ✅ D. Hyperthreading – This is a CPU feature that allows a single physical processor core to act like two logical cores, effectively improving performance in multithreaded tasks—perfect for data analytics, which often requires high processing throughput. ❌ A. Virtualization technology – This is used primarily for running virtual machines, not for enhancing raw CPU performance in analytics. ❌ B. GPU settings – GPU settings affect graphics performance, not CPU performance, and are less relevant for CPU-bound analytics tasks unless GPU acceleration is specifically used (not implied here). ❌ C. BIOS update – While important for stability and security, updating the BIOS is not a setting and does not directly maximize CPU performance.

Answer 24

C. Disable DHCP on the required port ## Footnote To configure a static WAN IP, the technician needs to manually enter the IP address provided by the ISP instead of having the router automatically obtain it through DHCP. This requires disabling DHCP on the WAN interface so the static settings can be applied. A. ❌ Configure UPnP on the WAN UPnP is meant for internal device discovery and port forwarding—not WAN IP configuration—and enabling it on the WAN poses security risks. B. ❌ Enable IPv6 on all LAN interfaces This may be useful in IPv6 environments, but it has no effect on configuring a static IPv4 WAN address. C. ✅ Disable DHCP on the required port Correct. Disabling DHCP on the WAN port allows manual entry of a static IP address provided by the ISP. D. ❌ Adjust the LAN subnet mask to 255.255.255.0 This setting affects only the internal LAN network, not the WAN interface.

Answer 25

B. The printer has a dynamic IP address. ## Footnote Explanation: If a printer uses a dynamic IP address via DHCP and has been powered off for several days, its previously assigned IP may have expired or been reassigned to another device. When powered back on, the printer may get a new IP address, causing connection issues from devices still referencing the old one. A. ❌ The printer has a static IP address This would make it more reliable, not less. A static IP stays the same even after power cycles, so this is unlikely to be the issue. B. ✅ The printer has a dynamic IP address Correct. A dynamic IP could have changed after being off for days, making it inaccessible unless users update their connection settings. C. ❌ The printer has an APIPA APIPA (169.254.x.x) only happens when the printer can’t reach a DHCP server at all—not necessarily the issue here if DHCP is working. D. ❌ The printer has a public IP address Unlikely in a SOHO environment. Devices like printers are usually assigned private IPs within the LAN.

Answer 26

D. N and 2.4GHz ## Footnote ✅ D. N and 2.4GHz 802.11n offers higher speeds than earlier standards like b and g, and when combined with 2.4GHz, it provides better range and compatibility — both important for IoT devices, which often prioritize wide coverage and low power consumption over max speed. ❌ A. A and 5GHz 802.11a with 5GHz provides decent speed but poor range and weak penetration, which is not ideal for many IoT setups. ❌ B. B and 2.4GHz 802.11b is widely compatible but very slow (up to 11 Mbps), making it a poor choice for speed-sensitive IoT devices. ❌ C. G and 5GHz 802.11g only operates at 2.4GHz, so this pairing is technically incorrect and not a valid combination.

Answer 27

C. APIPA ## Footnote ✅ C. APIPA APIPA (Automatic Private IP Addressing) is a Windows feature that automatically assigns a self-generated IP address in the 169.254.x.x range when a DHCP server isn’t available. This allows limited local network communication without manual configuration. ❌ A. DHCP Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol requires a network connection to a DHCP server, which is not available in this scenario. ❌ B. TFTP Trivial File Transfer Protocol is used for transferring files (like firmware or configs), not for assigning IP addresses. ❌ D. DNS Domain Name System translates domain names to IP addresses; it does not assign IP addresses.

Networking 20% Flashcards

(51 cards)