CompTIA N10-008 CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Exam Practice Test

Normally, routers do not forward broadcast traffic. This means that each broadcast domain must be served by its own DHCP server. On a large network with multiple subnets, this would mean provisioning and configuring many DHCP servers. To avoid this scenario, a DHCP relay agent can be configured to provide forwarding of DHCP traffic between subnets. Routers that can provide this type of forwarding are described as RFC 1542 compliant. The DHCP relay intercepts broadcast DHCP frames, applies a unicast address for the appropriate DHCP server, and forwards them over the interface for the subnet containing the server. The DHCP server can identify the original IP subnet from the packet and offer a lease from the appropriate scope. The DHCP relay also performs the reverse process of directing responses from the server to the appropriate client subnet.

 Link aggregation is a technique that allows multiple network interfaces to act as a single logical interface, increasing the bandwidth and redundancy of the network connection. Link aggregation can improve the performance of the network by balancing the traffic load across multiple links and providing failover in case one link fails. Link aggregation is also known as port trunking, port channeling, or NIC teaming.

References: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Cert Guide, Chapter 3, Section 3.3

The termination that the technician should use when running a cable from the ISP’s port to the front desk is B. TIA/EIA-568-B. This is a standard pin-out for Cat 6 cables that is used for Ethernet and other network physical layers1. It specifies how to arrange the eight wires in an RJ45 connector, which is a common type of connector for network cables.

The DHCP client sends broadcast request packets to the network; the DHCP servers respond with broadcast packets that offer IP parameters, such as an IP address for the client. After the client chooses the IP parameters, communication between the client and server is by unicast packets.

"When a DHCP client boots up, it automatically sends out a DHCP Discover UDP datagram to the broadcast address, 255.255.255.255. This DHCP Discover message asks “Are there any DHCP servers out there?” The client can’t send unicast traffic yet, as it doesn’t have a valid IP address that can be used."

A fiber distribution panel is a device that provides a central location for connecting and managing fiber optic cables and optical modules. It can support various types and speeds of fiber optic links, including multimode uplinks. Therefore, a fiber distribution panel should be used to manage outside cables that need to be routed to various multimode uplinks.

A switch is a device that provides Layer 2 connectivity to various endpoints by forwarding frames based on MAC addresses. A switch can also connect to several WAPs (wireless access points) to provide wireless connectivity to wireless devices.

Access points (APs) can be configured and centrally managed using a wireless LAN controller (WLC). A WLC is a device that connects to multiple APs and provides centralized management and control of those APs. The WLC can be used to configure settings such as wireless network parameters, security settings, and quality of service (QoS) policies. Additionally, the WLC can be used to monitor the status of connected APs, track client connections, and gather statistics on network usage. Some vendors such as Cisco, Aruba, Ruckus, etc. provide wireless LAN controllers as part of their wireless networking solutions.

A site-to-site VPN is a type of VPN that connects two or more networks over the Internet using a secure tunnel. A site-to-site VPN allows users to access network resources on a laptop without logging in to the VPN application, as long as the laptop is connected to one of the networks in the VPN. A site-to-site VPN is transparent to the users and does not require any additional software or configuration on the client devices.

References: Network+ Study Guide Objective 3.4: Explain the purposes and use cases for VPNs.

Link aggregation is a technique that allows multiple physical ports to be combined into a single logical channel, which provides increased bandwidth, load balancing, and redundancy. Link aggregation can be configured using protocols such as Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) or static methods.

References

• Link aggregation is one of the common Ethernet switching features covered in Objective 2.3 of the CompTIA Network+ N10-008 certification exam1.
• Link aggregation can be used to connect two ports to the core switch to ensure redundancy23.
• Link aggregation can be configured using LACP or static methods23.

1: CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives, page 5 2: Interface Configurations – N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 2.3 3: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Cert Guide, Chapter 11, page 323

Given that the longer cables within the infrastructure are working correctly but the newly installed patch cables are causing connectivity issues, the most likely cause is an incorrect pinout on the patch cables. If these cables were not properly crimped according to the T568A or T568B wiring standards, they could easily cause a failure in connectivity due to incorrect alignment of the transmitting and receiving pins. This is a common issue with DIY or newly crimped cables where mistakes in the wire arrangement can render the cables non-functional. The other listed issues, such as mixed cable types, plenum rating, or cable distance exceedance, would not typically result in a total loss of connectivity as described​​.

• A network technician should follow a network troubleshooting methodology to systematically identify and resolve network problems12.
• A network troubleshooting methodology consists of several steps, such as identifying the problem, establishing a theory of probable cause, testing the theory, implementing a solution, verifying functionality, and documenting the results12.
• In this scenario, the network technician has determined the cause of a network disruption, which means that they have completed the steps of identifying the problem, establishing a theory of probable cause, and testing the theory12.
• The NEXT step for the technician to perform is to establish a plan of action to resolve the issue, which means that they should define the steps, resources, and tools needed to implement a solution that can fix the network disruption12.
• Establishing a plan of action to resolve the issue is the next step, because it can help the technician to prepare for the implementation, avoid potential risks or complications, and communicate the plan to the stakeholders12.
• The other options are not the next step for the technician to perform, because they are either previous or subsequent steps in the network troubleshooting methodology12:

References:

• 1: Network Troubleshooting Methodology - N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 5.1
• 2: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Full Course for Beginners - Network Troubleshooting Methodology (5.1)

• A DHCP scope is a range of IP addresses that a DHCP server can assign to clients on a network.
• If the DHCP scope is fully utilized, it means that there are no more available IP addresses to assign to new clients.
• This can cause some internal users who cannot connect to network resources, as they will not have a valid IP address to communicate with other devices on the network.
• The users may have been able to connect last week, but not today, because their previous IP address lease may have expired and they could not renew it due to the lack of available IP addresses.
• The other options are less likely to cause the issue, because:

References:

• : CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 3: IP Addressing, page 104
• : Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes, Section 3.2: DHCP, page 27
• : CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 2: Network Cabling and Topologies, page 69
• : Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes, Section 4.1: Network Services, page 36
• : CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 7: Network Management, page 276
• : Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes, Section 7.1: Network Monitoring, page 66

ping -t is an option for the ping command in Windows that allows the user to send continuous ping requests to a target until stopped by pressing Ctrl-C. This can help the technician run a constant ping command while testing various possible reasons for the connectivity issue. ping -w is an option for the ping command in Windows that allows the user to specify a timeout value in milliseconds for each ping request. ping -i is an option for the ping command in Linux that allows the user to specify the time interval in seconds between each ping request. ping -s is an option for the ping command in Linux that allows the user to specify the size of the data payload in bytes for each ping request.

References: How to Use the Ping Command in Windows - Lifewire

Interference is a phenomenon that occurs when unwanted signals or noise affect the transmission or reception of data signals on a network. Interference can cause network issues such as high latency, low throughput, packet loss, or errors. Interference can be caused by various sources, such as electromagnetic fields, radio waves, power lines, or electrical devices. In this scenario, the three-phase motor installation is a source of interference that affects the Cat 6 cable that connects the AP to the access switch. The cable is wired through a duct close to the motor installation, which exposes it to the electromagnetic fields generated by the motor. Anytime the motor is turned on, the interference causes high latency for all users connected to the switch.

The transceivers labeled 8Gbps are likely to be used with the Fibre Channel protocol. Fibre Channel is a high-speed networking technology that is primarily used to connect storage devices to servers in storage area networks (SANs). It is capable of transmitting data at speeds of up to 8 Gbps (gigabits per second), and uses specialized transceivers to transmit and receive data over fiber optic cables.

Coaxial over Ethernet (CoE) is a networking technology that uses coaxial cables to transmit data, and is not related to the transceivers in question. Internet Small Computer Systems Interface (iSCSI) is a protocol that allows devices to communicate over a network using the SCSI protocol, and does not typically use specialized transceivers. Gigabit interface converter (GBIC) is a type of transceiver used to transmit and receive data over fiber optic cables, but it is not capable of transmitting data at 8 Gbps.

The network administrator would configure scope options to set NTP settings for a specific subnet within DHCP. Scope options are settings that apply to a range of IP addresses that are assigned by a DHCP server. Scope options can include parameters such as default gateway, DNS server, and NTP server. By configuring the NTP server option for a specific scope, the network administrator can ensure that the devices in that subnet synchronize their clocks with the same time source. References: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, page 121; The Official CompTIA Network+ Student Guide (Exam N10-008), page 5-11.

The document used to inform all parties about the scope of the project before it starts is likely a project charter.

A project charter is a document that outlines the key aspects of a project, including the project's objectives, scope, stakeholders, and resources. It serves as a formal agreement between the project team and the stakeholders, and helps to define the project's goals and constraints.

A project charter typically includes information about the project's scope, including the specific deliverables that are expected and any constraints or limitations that may impact the project. It may also include details about the project team and stakeholders, the project schedule and budget, and the roles and responsibilities of each party.

By creating a project charter, the Chief Executive Officer and the network administrator can ensure that all parties involved in the project have a clear understanding of the project's goals and objectives, and can help to prevent misunderstandings or miscommunications during the project.

What is in a project charter?

A project charter is a formal short document that states a project exists and provides project managers with written authority to begin work. A project charter document describes a project to create a shared understanding of its goals, objectives and resource requirements before the project is scoped out in detail.

What are the 5 elements of the project charter?

What Are the Contents of a Project Charter? A project charter should always include an overview, an outline of scope, an approximate schedule, a budget estimate, anticipated risks, and key stakeholders

"Bad cables, incorrect pinouts, or bent pins: Faulty cables (with electrical characteristics preventing successful transmission) or faulty connectors (which do not properly make connections) can prevent successful data transmission at Layer 1. A bad cable could simply be an incorrect category of cable being used for a specific purpose. For example, using a Cat 5 cable (instead of a Cat 6 or higher cable) to connect two 1000BASE-TX devices would result in data corruption. Bent pins in a connector or incorrect pinouts could also cause data to become corrupted."

 Documenting the lessons learned is the best method for passing along the exact steps other technicians should follow in case the issue arises again. Lessons learned are the knowledge and experience gained from completing a project or solving a problem. Documenting the lessons learned helps to capture the best practices, challenges, solutions, and recommendations for future reference and improvement. Documenting the lessons learned can also help to update the knowledge base, standard operating procedures, or policies related to the issue. References: [CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives], Lessons Learned: Definition & Examples for Project Managers

• The question describes a scenario where a student can connect to the campus Wi-Fi with a laptop, but not with a phone, even when they are close to each other.
• This suggests that the problem is not related to the transmission speed, channel overlap, or antenna cable attenuation/signal loss, as these factors would affect both devices equally.
• The most likely cause of this connection failure is that the student entered the incorrect passphrase on the phone, or the phone has a different security configuration than the laptop.
• To verify this, the student should check the Wi-Fi settings on the phone and make sure they match the laptop’s settings, such as the SSID, security type, and passphrase.
• If the phone still cannot connect, the student should contact the network administrator or the Wi-Fi service provider for assistance. References:
• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 3, Section 3.1, Wireless Network Standards and Encryption, page 1251
• Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes, Section 3.1, Wireless Network Standards and Encryption, page 192
• Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Training Course, Video 3.1 - Wireless Network Standards and Encryption, 12:00 - 13:003

MTBF is the disaster recovery metric that describes the average length of time a piece of equipment can be expected to operate normally. MTBF stands for mean time between failures, which is a measure of the reliability and availability of a device or system. MTBF is calculated by dividing the total operating time by the number of failures that occurred during that time. MTBF indicates how often a device or system fails and how long it can run without interruption. A higher MTBF means a lower failure rate and a longer operational life span. References: [CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives], What Is Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)? | Definition & Examples | Forcepoint

An acceptable use policy (AUP) is a set of rules that outline the proper and improper use of an organization's resources, such as its videoconferencing solution. An AUP can provide guidance to employees about what is expected of them when using the organization's videoconferencing solution, including restricting non-business access to it.

 Interference from other devices can cause wireless connection drops or slow performance. This can happen when devices use the same or overlapping frequency channels as the wireless network, such as cordless phones, microwaves, Bluetooth devices, etc. To avoid interference, it is recommended to use non-overlapping channels and avoid placing wireless access points near potential sources of interference. References: Network+ Study Guide Objective 2.1: Explain the purposes and use cases for advanced network devices. Subobjective: Wireless controllers.

Cameras are the best tool for remotely monitoring who is accessing a secure data center. They provide real-time visual verification of individuals entering and exiting the facility and can be monitored remotely to ensure security protocols are followed. Access control vestibules, employee training, and biometrics are also important for security but do not offer the same continuous, visual monitoring capability that cameras do. Cameras also serve as a deterrent to unauthorized access and can provide forensic evidence in the event of a security breach​​.

 No more patches or bug fixes are available indefinitely. This indicates that a computer has reached end-of-support, which means that the manufacturer or vendor of the hardware or software no longer provides technical assistance, updates, or security fixes for the product12. This can expose the computer to potential security risks and compatibility issues with newer technologies

• DNS poisoning is a type of attack that exploits vulnerabilities in the Domain Name System (DNS) to redirect traffic intended for a legitimate website to a malicious site. This can allow attackers to collect sensitive information such as login credentials, or infect visitors with malware12.
• DNS poisoning can be achieved by injecting malicious A records into internal name resolution servers. An A record is a type of DNS record that maps a domain name to an IP address. By changing the A record of a legitimate domain to point to a malicious IP address, an attacker can trick users into visiting the wrong site3.
• The other options are not correct because:

References:

• 1: Domain Hijacking vs DNS Poisoning: Do You Know the Difference? - Heimdal Security
• 2: What is an on-path attacker? - Cloudflare
• 3: What are the types of DNS spoofing? - Information Security Stack Exchange

SaaS stands for Software as a Service and is a cloud computing model where software applications are hosted and delivered over the internet by a service provider. SaaS can help the company cut the overall cost of its IT budget by eliminating the need to purchase, install, update, and maintain various computer programs on its own devices. The company can access the programs on an as-needed basis and pay only for what it uses. Multitenancy is a feature of cloud computing where multiple customers share the same physical or virtual resources. IaaS stands for Infrastructure as a Service and is a cloud computing model where computing resources such as servers, storage, and networking are provided over the internet by a service provider. VPN stands for Virtual Private Network and is a technology that creates a secure and encrypted connection over a public network.

References: CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 7.0 (N10-007), Objective 1.9: Compare and contrast common network service types.

• A captive portal is a web page that requires users to accept an acceptable use policy (AUP) or enter some credentials before they can access the internet or other network resources12. A captive portal can be implemented on a wireless network to ensure users agree to the terms and conditions of the network usage, such as security, privacy, and bandwidth policies34.
• A geofencing is a technology that uses GPS or RFID to define a virtual boundary around a physical location, such as a building or a campus56. Geofencing can be used to restrict or allow access to a wireless network based on the user’s location, but it does not require users to agree to an AUP before connecting78.
• Wireless client isolation is a feature that prevents wireless devices connected to the same access point or wireless network from communicating with each other . Wireless client isolation can enhance the security and privacy of the wireless network, but it does not require users to agree to an AUP before connecting .
• Role-based access control (RBAC) is a method of assigning permissions to users or groups based on their roles and responsibilities . RBAC can be used to enforce the principle of least privilege and limit the access to network resources based on the user’s role, but it does not require users to agree to an AUP before connecting .
• Therefore, the best answer is A. Captive portal, which should be implemented to achieve the goal of ensuring users agree to an AUP before connecting to a wireless network.

References:

• 1: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, page 491
• 2: CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives, page 19
• 3: [What is a Captive Portal? - Definition from Techopedia]
• 4: [Captive Portal | CompTIA IT Certifications]
• 5: [What is Geofencing? - Definition from WhatIs.com]
• 6: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, page 492
• 7: [Geofencing: What Is It and Why You Should Care | PCMag]
• 8: [Geofencing | CompTIA IT Certifications]
• : [What is Wireless Client Isolation? - Definition from Techopedia]
• : CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, page 490
• : [How to Enable Wireless Isolation - SmallNetBuilder]
• : [Wireless Client Isolation | CompTIA IT Certifications]
• : [What is Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)? - Definition from Techopedia]
• : CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, page 472
• : [Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and Role-Based Security - Techopedia]
• : [Role-Based Access Control | CompTIA IT Certifications]

A hot site is a backup site that is fully equipped and ready to take over the operations of the primary site in the event of a disaster. A hot site has real-time synchronization with the primary site and can provide zero data loss. A hot site is the most expensive and reliable option for disaster recovery.

References: Network+ Study Guide Objective 5.3: Explain common scanning, monitoring and patching processes and summarize their expected outputs.

"WPA uses Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) for enhanced encryption. TKIP uses RC4 for the encryption algorithm, and the CompTIA Network+ exam may reference TKIP-RC4 in a discussion of wireless."

" WPA2 uses Counter Mode with Cipher Block Chaining Message Authentication Code

Protocol (CCMP) for integrity checking and Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) for encryption. On the Network+ exam, you might find this referenced as simply CCMP-AES"

"EMI is a problem when cables are installed near electrical devices, such as air conditioners or fluorescent light fixtures. If a network medium is placed close enough to such a device, the signal within the cable might become corrupt. Network media vary in their resistance to the effects of EMI. Standard unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable is susceptible to EMI, whereas fiber cable, with its light transmissions, is resistant to EMI. When deciding on a particular medium, consider where it will run and the impact EMI can have on the installation."

• A VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) is a logical grouping of devices that share the same broadcast domain, regardless of their physical location or connection. VLANs can improve network performance, security, and management by separating different types of traffic, such as data, voice, and video1.
• A VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone is a device that uses the Internet to transmit voice calls, instead of the traditional phone lines. VoIP phones require a network connection, an IP address, and a gateway to communicate with other VoIP devices or phone systems2.
• A DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server is a device that automatically assigns IP addresses and other network configuration parameters to devices that request them. DHCP simplifies network administration and avoids IP conflicts3.
• A switchport is a physical interface on a switch that connects to a network device, such as a VoIP phone, a computer, or another switch. A switchport can be configured to belong to a specific VLAN or to carry traffic from multiple VLANs4.
• A gateway is a device that connects different networks and enables communication between them. A gateway can also perform protocol conversion, such as translating between VoIP and analog signals5.
• A route is a path that a packet takes to reach its destination. A route consists of a destination network, a next-hop device, and a metric. A router is a device that forwards packets based on their destination IP addresses and the routing table.
• In order to allow a newly installed VoIP phone to operate correctly, the network administrator needs to assign the phone’s switchport to the correct VLAN. This will ensure that the phone can communicate with the DHCP server and obtain an IP address that belongs to the same network as the phone system. This will also isolate the voice traffic from the data traffic and improve the quality of service.
• Statically assigning the phone’s gateway address is not enough to allow the phone to operate correctly, as the phone still needs an IP address and a subnet mask to communicate with other devices on the network. Moreover, statically assigning network parameters can be tedious and prone to errors, especially for a large number of devices.
• Configuring a route on the VoIP network router is not necessary to allow the phone to operate correctly, as the phone and the phone system are on the same network and do not need to cross any routers. Configuring a route would only be needed if the phone and the phone system were on different networks and needed to communicate through a router.
• Implementing a VoIP gateway is not required to allow the phone to operate correctly, as the phone and the phone system are both VoIP devices and use the same protocol. Implementing a VoIP gateway would only be needed if the phone or the phone system needed to communicate with a non-VoIP device or system, such as a traditional phone line or a public switched telephone network (PSTN).

References:

• 1: VLAN
• 2: VoIP Phone
• 3: DHCP
• 4: Switchport
• 5: Gateway
• : [Route]
• : [VoIP VLAN Configuration]
• : [Static vs Dynamic IP Addressing]
• : [Routing Basics]
• : [VoIP Gateway]

Uptime is a statistic that can be used to determine the availability of the remote network equipment. Uptime is the amount of time that a device or system has been running without experiencing any failures or disruptions. It is commonly expressed as a percentage of total time, such as 99.99% uptime. By measuring the uptime of the network equipment at the remote retail locations, the engineer can determine how reliable and available the equipment is.

According to the CompTIA troubleshooting methodology1, testing the theory is the step where the network administrator verifies if the problem is caused by a specific factor or change. This step involves checking the system logs, running diagnostic tools, or performing other tests to confirm or eliminate the possible cause.

References:

• Troubleshooting Methodology | IT Support and Help Desk | CompTIA1

DHCP scope exhaustion is the situation when a DHCP server runs out of available IP addresses to assign to clients. DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, which is a network protocol that automatically assigns IP addresses and other configuration parameters to clients on a network. A DHCP scope is a range of IP addresses that a DHCP server can distribute to clients. If the DHCP scope is exhausted, new clients will not be able to obtain an IP address and connect to the network. This can explain why the smart TV was not able to connect to the branch Wi-Fi on the first day, and why the bank laptop lost network access on the next day when the TV was connected. The technician should either increase the size of the DHCP scope or reduce the lease time of the IP addresses to avoid DHCP scope exhaustion. References: [CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives], DHCP Scope Exhaustion - What Is It? How Do You Fix It?

The route command is used to view and manipulate the IP routing table in Windows operating systems456 The routing table contains information about how to reach different network destinations. The output from the workstation shows that the routing table does not have a default gateway, which is a router that forwards packets to other networks that are not directly connected to the local network. A default gateway is usually specified by a route with a destination of 0.0.0.0 and a netmask of 0.0.0.0, which matches any IP address.

To correct the issue, the technician can use the route ADD command to add a default gateway to the routing table. The syntax of the command is:

route ADD MASK metric

The destination and netmask parameters should be 0.0.0.0 to indicate a default route. The gateway parameter should be the IP address of the router that can reach the internet, which is 10.10.51.10 in this case. The metric parameter is an optional value that indicates the cost or preference of the route, which can be used to choose between multiple routes to the same destination. A lower metric means a higher preference. The metric parameter can be any integer between 1 and 9999. In this case, the metric parameter can be 35 or any other value.

Therefore, the correct command is:

route ADD 0.0.0.0 MASK 0.0.0.0 10.10.51.10 metric 35

• A pinout is the arrangement of wires or pins in a cable or connector that determines how the signals are transmitted and received. A pinout can be either straight-through, which means that the wires or pins are connected in the same order on both ends of the cable or connector, or crossover, which means that the wires or pins are swapped on one end of the cable or connector.
• An incorrect pinout is a likely cause of the low data rate and port errors, because it can prevent the proper communication between the workstation and the switch. If the pinout is not compatible with the devices or the standards, the signals may be distorted, lost, or misinterpreted, resulting in errors and reduced performance. For example, if the workstation and the switch use different Ethernet standards, such as 10BASE-T and 1000BASE-T, they may require different pinouts to operate correctly. If the cable or connector has a mismatched pinout, the workstation and the switch may not be able to negotiate the optimal speed and duplex settings, and may fall back to a lower data rate, such as 100 full duplex, or experience many RX and TX errors.
• Therefore, option D is the most likely answer, as the incorrect pinout needs to be corrected to provide the optimal data rate and port performance. The technician needs to check the cable and connector types, standards, and pinouts, and replace them with the appropriate ones that match the workstation and the switch specifications.
• Option A is not a likely answer, as the bad switch ports would affect the connectivity and performance of any device that is connected to them, not just the workstation. If the technician moves the computer to another switchport and experiences the same issues, it indicates that the problem is not with the switch ports, but with the workstation, the cable, or the connector.
• Option B is also not a likely answer, as the duplex issues would affect the mode of data transmission between the workstation and the switch, not the data rate or the port errors. The duplex issues can be either half-duplex, which means that data can be transmitted in one direction at a time, or full-duplex, which means that data can be transmitted in both directions simultaneously. The duplex issues can cause collisions or interference if the workstation and the switch have different duplex settings, but they would not cause the data rate to drop to 100 full duplex, or cause many RX and TX errors.
• Option C is also not a likely answer, as the cable length would affect the signal strength and quality of the data transmission, not the data rate or the port errors. The cable length can cause attenuation, which is the loss of signal power over distance, or crosstalk, which is the interference from adjacent wires or cables. The cable length can cause the data transmission to be degraded or corrupted, but it would not cause the data rate to drop to 100 full duplex, or cause many RX and TX errors.

References:

• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 2: Network Devices and Technologies, Section 2.1: Network Cabling and Connectors, Page 661
• Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes, Section 2.1: Network Cabling and Connectors, Page 92
• What is a Pinout? | Definition and Examples3
• Ethernet Cable Pinouts - Cisco
• Troubleshooting Ethernet Cable Problems - Cisco

"Use private VLANs: Also known as port isolation, creating a private VLAN is a method of restricting switch ports (now called private ports) so that they can communicate only with a particular uplink. The private VLAN usually has numerous private ports and only one uplink, which is usually connected to a router, or firewall."

Port 22 is used by Secure Shell (SSH), which is a protocol that provides a secure and encrypted method for remote access to hosts by using public-key cryptography and challenge-response authentication. SSH can be used to log in to a network switch and configure it without exposing the credentials or commands to eavesdropping or tampering. Port 23 is used by Telnet, which is an insecure and plaintext protocol for remote access. Port 80 is used by HTTP, which is a protocol for web communication. Port 123 is used by NTP, which is a protocol for time synchronization

Asymmetrical routing is the most likely cause for the WAN instability. When two different routing protocols are used, like OSPF and EIGRP, it can cause asymmetrical routing, which results in traffic being routed differently in each direction. This can lead to instability in the WAN. A CDP neighbor change, a switching loop, or an incorrect IP address are not likely causes for WAN instability.

The agent was trying to duplicate the problem by asking the user to perform the same steps that led to the issue. This is a common troubleshooting technique that helps the agent to identify the root cause of the problem and verify if it is reproducible or intermittent. By duplicating the problem, the agent can also gather more information about the symptoms and error messages that the user encountered. References: [CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives], [Troubleshooting Methodology - CompTIA Network+ N10-007 - 1.4 | Professor Messer IT Certification Training Courses]

A toner is a tool that generates an audible signal that can be traced by a probe. A network technician can use a toner to identify the appropriate patch panel port by connecting the toner to one end of the patch cord and using the probe to scan the patch panel until the signal is detected. A toner is the easiest way to identify the patch panel port when the patch panel is not labeled, as it does not require a laptop, a cable tester, or a visual fault locator. A toner can also be used to locate breaks or shorts in a cable, or to verify continuity.

References:

• Using a Toner and Probe - CompTIA Network+ Certification (N10-008): The Total Course Video
• CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives, page 141

The time-to-live (TTL) field is the mechanism for ending loops at Layer 3, which is the network layer of the OSI model. The TTL field is an 8-bit field that indicates the maximum time or number of hops that an IP packet can travel before it is discarded. Every time an IP packet passes through a router, the router decrements the TTL value by one. If the TTL value reaches zero, the router drops the packet and sends an ICMP message back to the source, informing that the packet has expired. This way, the TTL field prevents an IP packet from looping endlessly in a network with routing errors or cycles123.

The other options are not mechanisms for ending loops at Layer 3. The checksum field is a 16-bit field that is used to verify the integrity of the IP header. The checksum field is calculated by adding all the 16-bit words in the header and taking the one’s complement of the result. If the checksum field does not match the calculated value, the IP packet is considered corrupted and discarded12. The type field, also known as the type of service (TOS) or differentiated services code point (DSCP) field, is an 8-bit field that is used to specify the quality of service (QoS) or priority of the IP packet. The type field can indicate how the packet should be handled in terms of delay, throughput, reliability, or cost12. The protocol field is an 8-bit field that is used to identify the transport layer protocol that is encapsulated in the IP packet. The protocol field can indicate whether the payload is a TCP segment, a UDP datagram, an ICMP message, or another protocol12.

One of the best practices to secure the network would be to disable unneeded switchports in the guest waiting area. This will prevent unauthorized users from connecting to the network through these ports. It's important to identify which switchports are not in use and disable them, as this will prevent unauthorized access to the network.

Other practices such as ensuring all guests sign an NDA, lowering the radio strength to reduce Wi-Fi coverage in the waiting area and enabling MAC filtering to block unknown hardware addresses are not as effective in securing the network as disabling unneeded switchports. Enforcing an NDA with guests may not stop a malicious user from attempting to access the network, reducing the radio strength only limits the Wi-Fi coverage, and MAC filtering can be easily bypassed by hackers.

802.11n is a wireless standard that supports up to 600 Mbps data rate and operates in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. 802.11n uses multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology to increase the number of spatial streams and improve the wireless performance and range. 802.11n meets the requirements of the wireless network design.

References: Network+ Study Guide Objective 1.6: Explain the functions of network services.

Cameras can be used to identify users after an action has occurred by recording their faces, clothing, or other distinctive features. Cameras are often used as a deterrent and a forensic tool for security purposes. Access control vestibules, asset tags, and motion detectors are not effective in identifying users, but rather in controlling access, tracking assets, and detecting movement.

References:

CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Exam Objectives, Domain 5.0: Network Security, Subobjective 5.1: Summarize the importance of physical security controls, page 231

CompTIA Network+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Eighth Edition (Exam N10-008), Chapter 18: Network Security, Section: Physical Security, page 7372

A technician reviews a network performance report and finds a high level of collisions happening on the network. At which of the following layers of the OSI model would these

collisions be found?

• Layer 1

• Layer 3

• Layer 4

• Layer 7

Answer: A

Collisions occur when two or more devices try to transmit signals on the same physical medium at the same time. This causes interference and data loss. Collisions can only happen at the physical layer of the OSI model, which is responsible for transmitting and receiving raw bits over a physical medium such as a cable or a wireless channel. The physical layer does not have any mechanism to prevent or resolve collisions. Therefore, higher layers of the OSI model, such as the data link layer, need to implement protocols to detect and recover from collisions, such as CSMA/CD for Ethernet networks.

ReferencesCollision in computer networkingData Link Layer | Layer 2 | The OSI-Model

A network engineer has added a new route on a border router and is trying to determine if traffic is using the new route. Which of the following commands should the engineer use?

• ping

• arp

• tracert

• route

Answer: C

The tracert command is a network diagnostic tool that traces the route of packets from the source host to the destination host. It displays the IP addresses and hostnames of the routers along the path, as well as the time taken for each hop. The tracert command can be used to determine if traffic is using the new route by comparing the output before and after adding the route. If the new route is effective, the tracert command should show a different or shorter path to the destination host.

ReferencesNetworking Commands For Troubleshooting Windows - GeeksforGeeksNine Switch Commands Every Cisco Network Engineer Needs to Know

A technician is configuring a wireless access point in a public space for guests to use. Which of the following should the technician configure so that only approved connections are

allowed?

• Geofencing

• Captive portal

• Secure SNMP

• Private VLANs

Answer: B

A captive portal is a web page that requires users to authenticate or accept terms of service before they can access the internet through a wireless access point. A captive portal can be used to control who can use the wireless network, limit the bandwidth or time of usage, or display advertisements or information. A captive portal is a common feature of public wireless networks, such as those in hotels, airports, cafes, or libraries. A captive portal can prevent unauthorized or malicious users from accessing the network or consuming network resources.

ReferencesPublic Wireless Access Points Definition | Law InsiderAre Public Wi-Fi Networks Safe? What You Need To Know

A user cannot connect to the network, although others in the office are unaffected. The network technician sees that the link lights on the NIC are not on. The technician needs to

check which switchport the user is connected to, but the cabling is not labeled. Which of the following is the best way for the technician to find where the computer is connected?

• Look up the computer's IP address in the switch ARP table.

• Use a cable tester to trace the cable.

• Look up the computer's MAC address in the switch CAM table.

• Use a tone generator to trace the cable.

Answer: D

A tone generator is a device that emits an audible signal on a wire. A tone probe is a device that detects the signal on the wire. By attaching the tone generator to one end of the cable and using the tone probe to scan the other end, the technician can identify which switchport the cable is connected to. This method does not require any knowledge of the computer’s IP or MAC address, or access to the switch configuration. It is also faster and more reliable than physically tracing the cable or disconnecting the cable and looking for the link light to go out on the switch.

ReferencesHow to find what port im connected to on a switch from my PC?Switch Port Monitoring Guide - ComparitechFinding Out Which Network Switch Port My Computer is Connected

A network administrator is creating a VLAN that will only allow executives to connect to a data source. Which of the following is this scenario an example of?

• Availability

• Confidentiality

• Internal threat

• External threat

• Integrity

Answer: B

Confidentiality is the principle of preserving authorized restrictions on information access and disclosure, including means for protecting personal privacy and proprietary information1. By creating a VLAN that will only allow executives to connect to a data source, the network administrator is implementing a form of network segmentation that enhances the confidentiality of the data. This prevents unauthorized users or processes from accessing or modifying the data, which could compromise its integrity or availability. Confidentiality is one of the components of the CIA triad, a widely used information security model that guides the efforts and policies aimed at keeping data secure234.

ReferencesDefending Your Network: A Comprehensive Guide to VLAN Hopping AttacksThe CIA triad: Definition, components and examples | CSO OnlineExecutive Summary — NIST SP 1800-25 documentationThe CIA Triad — Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability ExplainedConfidentiality, Integrity and Availability - DevQA.io

A network administrator walks into a data center and notices an unknown person is following closely. The administrator stops and directs the person to the security desk. Which of

the following attacks did the network administrator prevent?

• Evil twin

• Tailgating

• Piggybacking

• Shoulder surfing

Answer: B

Tailgating is a type of physical security attack in which an unauthorized person follows an authorized person into a restricted area, such as a data center, without proper identification or authentication. Tailgating can allow attackers to access sensitive data, equipment, or network resources, or to plant malicious devices or software. The network administrator prevented tailgating by stopping and directing the unknown person to the security desk, where they would have to verify their identity and purpose.

ReferencesDigital Threats and Cyberattacks at the Network LevelNetwork attacks and how to prevent them

Which of the following is most closely associated with attempting to actively prevent network intrusion?

• IDS

• Firewall

• IPS

• VPN

Answer: C

An intrusion prevention system (IPS) is a network security tool that continuously monitors network traffic for malicious activity and takes action to prevent it, such as reporting, blocking, or dropping it. An IPS is different from an intrusion detection system (IDS), which only detects and alerts about threats, but does not stop them. A firewall is a device or software that filters network traffic based on predefined rules, but it does not analyze the traffic for anomalies or signatures of known attacks. A VPN is a virtual private network that creates a secure tunnel between two endpoints, but it does not prevent intrusions from within the network or from compromised endpoints.

ReferencesWhat is an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)? | FortinetWhat is an Intrusion Prevention System? - Palo Alto Networks

An administrator needs to ensure an access switch is sending the appropriate logs to the network monitoring server. Which of the following logging levels is most appropriate for the

access layer switch?

• Level 0

• Level 2

• Level 5

• Level 7

Answer: C

Logging levels are used to categorize the severity and importance of log messages generated by network devices. The lower the level, the higher the priority. Level 0 is the most critical, while level 7 is the most verbose and least important. Level 5 is the default logging level for most Cisco devices, and it corresponds to notifications. Notifications are messages that indicate normal but significant events, such as interface status changes, configuration changes, or system restarts. These messages are useful for monitoring the health and performance of the network, and they do not generate excessive traffic or consume too much memory or CPU resources. Therefore, level 5 is the most appropriate logging level for an access layer switch, which connects end devices to the network and does not need to log debug or informational messages.

ReferencesHow to configure logging in Cisco IOSCisco Guide to Harden Cisco IOS DevicesCisco Privilege Levels – Explanation and Configuration

A network consultant is installing a new wireless network with the following specifications:

5GHz

1,300Mbps

20/40/80MHz

Which of the following standards should the network consultant use?

802.11a

802.11ac

802.11b

802.11n

Answer: B

Clients have reported slowness between a branch and a hub location. The senior engineer suspects asymmetrical routing is causing the issue. Which of the following should the engineer

run on both the source and the destination network devices to validate this theory?

• traceroute

• ping

• route

• nslookup

Answer: A

Asymmetric routing occurs when traffic does not traverse the same path in both directions of a conversation. This can cause problems when there are stateful devices, such as firewalls or NAT devices, in the path that expect the traffic to be symmetrical. Asymmetric routing can also result in suboptimal TCP performance, as TCP assumes that the SYN and ACK packets take the same path1.

To validate the theory of asymmetric routing, the engineer should run the traceroute command on both the source and the destination network devices. The traceroute command shows the route that packets take to reach a destination, by displaying the IP addresses and hostnames of the routers along the path, as well as the time taken for each hop. By comparing the output of the traceroute command from both ends, the engineer can determine if the traffic is taking different paths in each direction, and identify where the asymmetry occurs2.

The ping command is not sufficient to validate the theory of asymmetric routing, as it only tests the connectivity and latency between two devices, but does not show the intermediate hops or the path taken by the packets. The route command shows the routing table of a device, but does not show the actual path taken by the packets. The nslookup command resolves a hostname to an IP address, or vice versa, but does not show the route or the connectivity between two devices.

ReferencesHow to Find & Fix Asymmetric Routing Issues | AuvikIdentifying and Troubleshooting Asymmetric Routing in WAAS - Cisco Community

After a firewall replacement, some alarms and metrics related to network availability stopped updating on a monitoring system relying on SNMP. Which of the following should the network

administrator do first?

• Modify the device's MIB on the monitoring system.

• Configure syslog to send events to the monitoring system.

• Use port mirroring to redirect traffic to the monitoring system.

• Deploy SMB to transfer data to the monitoring system.

Answer: A

SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is a protocol that allows network devices to communicate with a monitoring system and provide information about their status, performance, and configuration. SNMP relies on MIBs (Management Information Bases), which are collections of objects that define the types of information that can be accessed or modified on a device1.

When a firewall replacement occurs, the new firewall may have a different MIB than the old one, which means that the monitoring system may not be able to recognize or interpret the data sent by the new firewall. This can cause some alarms and metrics related to network availability to stop updating on the monitoring system. To fix this, the network administrator should modify the device’s MIB on the monitoring system, so that it matches the MIB of the new firewall and can correctly process the SNMP data2.

The other options are not relevant to the issue. Configuring syslog to send events to the monitoring system would not affect the SNMP data, as syslog is a different protocol that sends log messages from network devices to a central server. Using port mirroring to redirect traffic to the monitoring system would not help, as port mirroring is a technique that copies traffic from one port to another for analysis or troubleshooting purposes, but does not change the format or content of the traffic. Deploying SMB to transfer data to the monitoring system would not work, as SMB is a protocol that allows file sharing and access between network devices, but does not support SNMP data.

ReferencesGrafana & Prometheus SNMP: advanced network monitoring guideConfiguring Windows Systems for Monitoring with SNMP - ScienceLogic

Which of the following use cases would justify the deployment of an mGRE hub-and-spoke topology?

• An increase in network security using encryption and packet encapsulation

• A network expansion caused by an increase in the number of branch locations to the headquarters

• A mandatory requirement to increase the deployment of an SDWAN network

• An improvement in network efficiency by increasing the useful packet payload

Answer: B

mGRE (Multipoint GRE) is a type of GRE (Generic Routing Encapsulation) tunnel that allows a single interface to support multiple tunnel endpoints, instead of having to configure a separate point-to-point tunnel for each destination. mGRE simplifies the configuration and management of large-scale VPN networks, such as DMVPN (Dynamic Multipoint VPN), which is a Cisco technology that uses mGRE, NHRP (Next Hop Resolution Protocol), and IPsec to create secure and dynamic VPN connections between a hub and multiple spokes1.

A network expansion caused by an increase in the number of branch locations to the headquarters would justify the deployment of an mGRE hub-and-spoke topology, because it would reduce the complexity and overhead of configuring and maintaining multiple point-to-point tunnels between the hub and each spoke. mGRE would also enable spoke-to-spoke communication without having to go through the hub, which would improve the network performance and efficiency23.

The other options are not directly related to the use case of mGRE hub-and-spoke topology. An increase in network security using encryption and packet encapsulation can be achieved by using IPsec, which is a separate protocol that can be applied to any type of GRE tunnel, not just mGRE. A mandatory requirement to increase the deployment of an SDWAN network can be met by using various technologies and vendors, not necessarily mGRE or DMVPN. An improvement in network efficiency by increasing the useful packet payload can be achieved by using various techniques, such as compression, fragmentation, or QoS, not specifically mGRE.

ReferencesUnderstanding Cisco Dynamic Multipoint VPN - DMVPN, mGRE, NHRPMGRE Easy Steps - Cisco CommunityWhat is DMVPN (Dynamic Multipoint VPN), NHRP, mGRE and How to configu - Cisco Community

Users report they cannot reach any websites on the internet. An on-site network engineer is able to duplicate the issue on a different PC. The network engineer then tries to ping a website

and receives the following message:

Ping request could not find host Please check the name and try again.

Which of the following is the next step the engineer should take?

• Ping 127. 0. 0. 1 to test local hardware.

• Test the website from outside the company.

• Ping internal name server functionality.

• Check internet firewall logs for blocked DNS traffic.

Answer: C

The error message “Ping request could not find host indicates that the network engineer’s PC cannot resolve the hostname to its corresponding IP address. This means that there is a problem with the DNS (Domain Name System) service, which is responsible for translating hostnames to IP addresses and vice versa. The DNS service can be provided by internal or external name servers, depending on the network configuration.

The next step the engineer should take is to ping the internal name server functionality, which means to test if the PC can communicate with the name server that is configured in its network settings, and if the name server can resolve internal hostnames, such as those of the company’s servers or devices. To do this, the engineer can use the following commands:

• To find out the IP address of the name server, use ipconfig /all and look for the DNS Servers entry.
• To ping the name server, use ping  and check if the packets are sent and received successfully.
• To test the name resolution, use nslookup  and check if the name server returns the correct IP address.

If the ping or the nslookup commands fail, it means that the internal name server is not working properly, and the engineer should troubleshoot the name server configuration or connectivity. If the ping and the nslookup commands succeed, it means that the internal name server is working properly, but there is a problem with the external name resolution, and the engineer should check the internet firewall logs for blocked DNS traffic, or test the website from outside the company.

ReferencesWindows 10 can’t resolve hostnames - ping with IP works but not with hostnamePing request could not find host xyz.local. Please check the name and try againDNS problem, nslookup works, ping doesn’t

Users are connected to a switch on an Ethernet interface of a campus router. The service provider is connected to the serial 1 interface on the router. The output of the interfaces is:

E1/0: 192.168.8.1/24

S1: 192.168.7.252/30

After router and device configurations are applied, internet access is not possible. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

• The Ethernet interface was configured with an incorrect IP address.

• The router was configured with an incorrect loopback address.

• The router was configured with an incorrect default gateway.

• The serial interface was configured with the incorrect subnet mask.

Answer: C

The default gateway is the IP address of the router that connects a network to the internet or another network. The default gateway is usually configured on the devices that need to access the internet or other networks, such as PCs, servers, or routers. If the router was configured with an incorrect default gateway, it would not be able to forward packets to the correct destination, and internet access would not be possible.

The other options are not the most likely causes of the issue. The Ethernet interface is the physical port that connects a device to a network using a cable. If the Ethernet interface was configured with an incorrect IP address, it would cause a problem with the local network connectivity, not the internet access. The loopback address is a special IP address that refers to the device itself, usually used for testing or troubleshooting purposes. If the router was configured with an incorrect loopback address, it would not affect the internet access, as the loopback address is not used for routing packets to other networks. The serial interface is another type of physical port that connects a device to a network using a serial cable, often used for WAN connections. If the serial interface was configured with the incorrect subnet mask, it would cause a problem with the WAN connectivity, not the internet access, as the subnet mask is used to determine the network and host portions of an IP address.

ReferencesWhat is a Default Gateway? | HowStuffWorksWhat is an Ethernet Interface? - Definition from TechopediaWhat is a Loopback Address? - Definition from TechopediaWhat is a Serial Interface? - Definition from Techopedia

A user wants to avoid using a password to access a third-party website. Which of the following does the user need in order to allow this type of access to the third-party website?

• Multifactor

• RADIUS

• SSO

• Local authentication

Answer: C

A junior network engineer is trying to change the native network ID to a non-default value that can then be applied consistently throughout the network environment. Which of the following

issues is the engineer attempting to prevent?

• DDoS

• ARP spoofing

• VLAN hopping

• Rogue DHCP

Answer: C

VLAN hopping is a type of network attack where an attacker can send or receive traffic from a VLAN that they are not supposed to access. VLAN hopping can allow an attacker to bypass security policies, access sensitive data, or launch other attacks on the network. VLAN hopping can be performed using two methods: double tagging and switch spoofing1.

Double tagging is where the attacker sends a frame with two VLAN tags, one for the native VLAN and one for the target VLAN. The native VLAN is the VLAN that is used for untagged traffic on a trunk port. If the attacker’s access port is in the same VLAN as the native VLAN, the switch will accept the frame and forward it on the trunk port. The switch will remove the first tag, which is the native VLAN, and send the frame with the second tag, which is the target VLAN. The frame will then reach the target VLAN and be processed by the devices in that VLAN.

Switch spoofing is where the attacker sends Dynamic Trunking Protocol (DTP) packets and tries to negotiate a trunk with the switch. DTP is a Cisco protocol that allows switches to automatically form trunks between them. If the switch’s port is configured with the default dynamic auto or dynamic desirable mode, it will accept the DTP packets and form a trunk with the attacker. The attacker will then have access to all VLANs on the trunk.

To prevent VLAN hopping, the junior network engineer is trying to change the native network ID to a non-default value that can then be applied consistently throughout the network environment. This means that the engineer is changing the VLAN that is used for untagged traffic on the trunk ports to a different VLAN than the default VLAN 1. This will prevent double tagging attacks, as the attacker’s access port will not be in the same VLAN as the native VLAN, and the switch will not accept the frames with two tags. The engineer should also disable DTP on the trunk ports and use the switchport nonegotiate command to prevent switch spoofing attacks2.

ReferencesVLAN Hopping - NetworkLessons.comVLAN Hopping on Native VLAN - Cisco Community

A private cloud deployment model involves servers that are hosted at a company’s property and are only used by that company. A private cloud provides exclusive access and control over the cloud resources to the company, as well as higher security and privacy. However, a private cloud also requires more investment and maintenance from the company, compared to other cloud deployment models1

A reservation for the server based on the MAC address means that the DHCP server will assign a specific IP address to the file server every time it requests one, based on its MAC address. This way, the file server will have a consistent IP address that users can access, without the need to manually configure it or use a separate scope. A reservation also ensures that the IP address of the file server will not be given to any other device by the DHCP server

The reason the network is not functional is that STP (Spanning Tree Protocol) is not configured on the switches. STP is a protocol that prevents loops in a network topology by blocking redundant links between switches. If STP is not enabled, the switches will forward broadcast frames endlessly, creating a broadcast storm that consumes network resources and disrupts communication. References: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, page 67; The Official CompTIA Network+ Student Guide (Exam N10-008), page 2-14.

Latency, also known as round-trip time (RTT), is the time it takes for a data packet to travel from a source to its destination and back again. It is a key indicator of network performance and can be used to identify fluctuations that may impact the user experience of an application.

Bandwidth, loss, and cyclic redundancy check (CRC) are other important network performance metrics, but they are not directly related to the application team's requirement to monitor for fluctuations in RTT.

References:

• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Exam Objectives, Objective 1.6: Network Performance Monitoring
• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 10: Network Performance Monitoring and Troubleshooting

Additional Notes:

• The network team can use a variety of tools and techniques to monitor RTT, such as ping, traceroute, and network monitoring software.
• When setting up alerts, the network team should consider the acceptable range of RTT for the application. They should also configure alerts to trigger at different levels of severity, so that they can take prompt action to resolve any issues.

A long-range microwave interface is a type of wireless communication that uses high-frequency radio waves to transmit and receive data over long distances. A long-range microwave interface typically uses a parabolic antenna, also known as a dish antenna, to focus the radio waves into a narrow beam that can travel farther and with less interference than an omnidirectional antenna, which radiates the radio waves in all directions1.

One of the most common causes of input errors on a long-range microwave interface is the misalignment of the parabolic antenna. Input errors are errors that occur when the receiver cannot properly decode or process the incoming signal. If the parabolic antenna is not aligned correctly with the transmitter, the receiver may not be able to capture the full strength of the signal, or it may pick up unwanted noise or interference from other sources. This can result in corrupted or lost data, which will increase the input error count23.

To troubleshoot this issue, the junior network administrator should check the alignment of the parabolic antenna and make sure it is pointing directly at the transmitter. The administrator can use tools such as a spectrum analyzer, a signal strength meter, or a path alignment tool to measure and adjust the signal quality and alignment of the antenna24.

The other options are not likely reasons for the input errors on a long-range microwave interface. A long-range microwave interface does not use an omnidirectional signal, so it cannot be jammed or weakened by other sources. The parabolic signal does not depend on the routing protocols used by the network, so it cannot be affected by improper routing protocols.

• The firewall rules are set to deny any traffic from any source to specific destination IP addresses on any port.
• The destination IP addresses are in different ranges, but one of them is in the multicast range of 224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.25512.
• The multicast range is used to send data to multiple recipients at once, such as streaming video or audio34.
• The multicast server on the network is likely using an IP address in the multicast range to broadcast its data to the clients.
• Therefore, the firewall rule that is most likely causing the issue is the one that denies any traffic to the IP address 232.1.4.9, which is in the multicast range.
• The other rules are not likely to affect the multicast server, unless it is using one of those IP addresses as well.

References:

• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 2: Network Protocols and Services, page 51.
• Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes, Section 2.1: Common TCP and UDP Ports, page 15.
• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 2: Network Protocols and Services, pages 53-54.
• Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Training Course, Video 2.1: Common TCP and UDP Ports, 6.

Content filtering is a technique that blocks or allows access to certain types of web content, based on predefined criteria or policies. Content filtering can be used to comply with the cease-and-desist order by preventing users from accessing torrent sites or downloading torrent files, which are often used for illegal file sharing or piracy. Content filtering can also protect the network from malware, phishing, or inappropriate content. References: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Cert Guide - O’Reilly Media, Chapter 14: Securing a Basic Network, page 520

• A routing protocol is a set of rules that determines how routers exchange routing information and select the best paths to reach different destinations on a network12.
• There are different types of routing protocols, such as interior gateway protocols (IGPs) and exterior gateway protocols (EGPs)12.
• An internet-facing edge router is a router that connects an autonomous system to the internet and acts as a gateway for the traffic entering or leaving the AS3 .
• The most common routing protocol for an internet-facing edge router is BGP (Border Gateway Protocol), which is an EGP that enables routers to exchange routing information and reachability information for IP prefixes across the internet12 .
• BGP is designed to handle the large and complex topology of the internet, as well as the policy and security requirements of different autonomous systems12 .
• Therefore, option A is the correct answer, as BGP is the routing protocol that a technician will most likely use for an internet-facing edge router.
• The other options are incorrect, as they are IGPs that are not suitable for an internet-facing edge router.

References:

• : CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 4, Section 4.1, “Routing Concepts”, page 198-207.
• : Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes, Section 4.1, “Routing Concepts”, page 24-25.
• : CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 4, Section 4.2, “Routing Protocols”, page 208-209.
• : Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes, Section 4.2, “Routing Protocols”, page 26.
• : CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 4, Section 4.2, “Routing Protocols”, page 210-211.

RG6 is a type of coaxial cable that is commonly used for cable TV and internet services. A cable modem is a device that modulates and demodulates signals over a coaxial cable network to provide broadband internet access. A SOHO situation refers to a small office/home office environment that typically has a single cable modem connected to a single coaxial cable outlet. Therefore, RG6 is the most appropriate demarcation connection for a cable modem in a SOHO situation. References: [CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives], What Is RG6 Cable? | Techwalla

SIEM stands for Security Information and Event Management, and it is a system that collects, normalizes, and analyzes log data from different sources in a centralized platform. SIEM can help identify security incidents, monitor network performance, and generate reports and alerts. SIEM can make log analysis less difficult by providing a unified view of the log data, correlating events across different devices, and applying rules and filters to detect anomalies and patterns12.

References: 1: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Cert Guide - Chapter 14: Network Monitoring32: Log Aggregation: What It Is & How It Works | Datadog4

An F-type connector is a type of coaxial connector that is commonly used to connect a cable modem to the demarcation point, which is the point at which the cable provider's network ends and the customer's network begins. The F-type connector is a threaded connector that is typically used for television, cable modem, and satellite antenna connections.

High availability is a quality of a system or component that assures a high level of operational performance for a given period of time. High availability means that an IT system, component, or application can operate at a high level, continuously, without intervention, for a given time period. High-availability infrastructure is configured to deliver quality performance and handle different loads and failures with minimal or zero downtime. High availability is important for web-based applications, as it ensures that the application is always accessible to the end users, even in the event of a server or component failure. High availability can be achieved by eliminating single points of failure, implementing redundancy, load balancing, and failover mechanisms.

The policy that outlines the software and hardware requirements for using personally owned devices to conduct business is BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). BYOD is a practice that allows employees to use their own devices, such as laptops, tablets, or smartphones, to access corporate resources and applications. BYOD can offer benefits such as increased productivity, flexibility, and satisfaction for employees, as well as reduced costs for employers. However, BYOD also poses challenges and risks, such as security, compatibility, and support issues. Therefore, a BYOD policy is needed to define the rules and expectations for using personal devices in a business environment. A BYOD policy typically covers topics such as device eligibility, security requirements, acceptable use, data ownership, privacy, and liability. References: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, page 362; The Official CompTIA Network+ Student Guide (Exam N10-008), page 14-2.

QoS stands for Quality of Service, which is a feature that allows you to prioritize network traffic based on the type of traffic, such as voice, video, data, or gaming. QoS can help improve the performance and reliability of critical applications by allocating more bandwidth and lower latency to them, while reducing the impact of less important or non-essential traffic1.

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, which is a technology that creates a secure and encrypted connection between two or more devices over the Internet. VPN can help protect your privacy and data from hackers, ISPs, and government surveillance, as well as access geo-restricted content and services2.

CDN stands for Content Delivery Network, which is a network of servers that deliver web content to users based on their geographic location, the origin of the content, and the performance of the network. CDN can help improve the speed and availability of web content, such as images, videos, and scripts, by caching them on servers closer to the users3.

TTL stands for Time To Live, which is a value that determines how long a packet can stay in a network before it is discarded or returned. TTL can help prevent network congestion and loops by limiting the lifespan of packets that are lost, corrupted, or delayed4.

A duplex mismatch is a situation where two devices on a network have different duplex settings, such as full-duplex or half-duplex. Full-duplex means that a device can send and receive data simultaneously, while half-duplex means that a device can only send or receive data at a time. A duplex mismatch can cause performance issues, such as collisions, errors, or slow throughput. In this scenario, the customer added a hub between the switch and the router. A hub is a device that operates at half-duplex and broadcasts all traffic to all ports. A switch and a router are devices that operate at full-duplex and forward traffic to specific ports. Therefore, adding a hub between the switch and the router can cause a duplex mismatch and slow down all the other network components that were connected to the switch.

References:

• A network administrator would like to purchase a device that provides access ports to endpoints and has the ability to route between networks. This means that the device should be able to operate at both the data link layer (layer 2) and the network layer (layer 3) of the OSI model.
• An IPS (intrusion prevention system) is a security device that monitors network traffic and blocks or modifies malicious packets. It operates at the application layer (layer 7) of the OSI model and does not provide access ports or routing functions1.
• A Layer 3 switch is a device that combines the features of a switch and a router. It can forward frames based on MAC addresses at layer 2 and route packets based on IP addresses at layer 3. It also provides access ports to connect endpoints such as computers, printers, and servers. A Layer 3 switch is faster and more efficient than a router because it makes forwarding decisions in hardware using ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits)23.
• A router is a device that connects different networks and routes packets based on IP addresses at layer 3. It does not provide access ports to endpoints, but rather interfaces to other networks. A router makes forwarding decisions in software, which is slower and less scalable than a Layer 3 switch23.
• A wireless LAN controller is a device that manages and configures wireless access points (WAPs) in a wireless network. It operates at the data link layer (layer 2) and does not provide routing functions. It also does not provide access ports to endpoints, but rather wireless connections4.
• Therefore, the best device for the network administrator to purchase is B. A Layer 3 switch, as it provides access ports to endpoints and has the ability to route between networks.

References:

• Intrusion Prevention Systems – N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 2.5
• Interface Configurations – N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 2.3
• Quiz: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Post-Assessment Quiz
• Wireless LAN Controllers – N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 2.4

IPS takes action itself to block the attempted intrusion or otherwise remediate the incident. IDS is designed to only provide an alert about a potential incident, which enables a security operations center (SOC) analyst to investigate the event and determine whether it requires further action.

The issue is that the fiber-optic link between routers does not connect after the technicians verified the correct fibers with a light meter. There are two possible reasons for this:

• A. They used the wrong type of fiber transceiver: A fiber transceiver is a device that converts electrical signals to optical signals and vice versa. It is important to use the correct type of fiber transceiver that matches the fiber type, wavelength, and connector. For example, if the fiber is single-mode, the transceiver should also be single-mode. If the transceiver is mismatched, the link will not work.
• B. Incorrect TX/RX polarity exists on the link: TX/RX polarity refers to the alignment of the transmit (TX) and receive (RX) ports on both ends of the fiber link. The TX port on one end should connect to the RX port on the other end, and vice versa. If the polarity is reversed, the link will not work.

The other options are not likely to cause the issue:

• C. The connection has duplexing configuration issues: Duplexing refers to the ability of a link to send and receive data simultaneously (full duplex) or alternately (half duplex). Duplexing is a configuration issue for copper-based links, not fiber-optic links. Fiber-optic links are always full duplex.
• D. Halogen light fixtures are causing interference: Halogen light fixtures emit infrared light, which can interfere with some types of fiber-optic cables that use infrared light as the carrier signal. However, this is not a common problem, and it can be avoided by using shielded fiber-optic cables or different wavelengths.
• E. One of the technicians installed a loopback adapter: A loopback adapter is a device that connects the TX and RX ports of a fiber transceiver to test its functionality. It is used for troubleshooting purposes, not for establishing a link between routers. If one of the technicians installed a loopback adapter, the link would not work.
• F. The RSSI was not strong enough on the link: RSSI stands for Received Signal Strength Indicator, which measures the power of the optical signal received by a fiber transceiver. If the RSSI is too low, it means that the signal is attenuated or degraded by factors such as distance, connectors, splices, or bends. However, this is not a likely cause of the issue, because the technicians used a light meter to verify the correct fibers, which implies that the signal was strong enough.

References:

• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, Chapter 4: Network Media and Topologies, page 171-174
• CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives, Domain 2: Network Implementations, Objective 2.2: Given a scenario, install and configure the appropriate cabling solution, Sub-objective: Fiber
• Ace Your CompTIA Network+ Exam: Explore Top Study Resources, Section: CompTIA Network+ Certification Kit: Exam N10-008 6th Edition
• How to use fiber optical cable to connect second WiFi router, YouTube video by FS.COM
• Fiber Optic Router…What is it and why do you need one?, Article by Hitron Technologies

• Management information bases (MIBs) are hierarchical databases of network objects that are defined using a subset of ASN.1 called SMIv212.
• MIBs describe the properties and capabilities of network devices that can be monitored and managed using SNMP12.
• MIBs are organized into modules that correspond to different standards, vendors, or applications12.
• MIBs are accessed by SNMP managers and agents using object identifiers (OIDs) that uniquely identify each network object12.
• MIBs are updated periodically to reflect changes in network technologies, protocols, or device features12.
• Updating the MIBs on the SNMP manager and agent is necessary to ensure compatibility and interoperability between different versions of network devices and operating systems12.
• Updating the MIBs can also enable new monitoring and management functions that are supported by the newer versions of network devices and operating systems12.
• B. System baseline is not a correct answer because a system baseline is a set of performance metrics that are obtained by measuring the network for a specific time period34.
• A system baseline is used to validate the current network status, identify trends, and plan for future changes34.
• A system baseline is not related to adding a new system to monitoring, as it does not define the network objects or the SNMP protocol34.
• C. Network device logs are not a correct answer because network device logs are records of events or activities that occur on network devices56.
• Network device logs are used to troubleshoot, audit, or analyze network performance and security issues56.
• Network device logs are not related to adding a new system to monitoring, as they do not define the network objects or the SNMP protocol56.
• D. SNMP traps are not a correct answer because SNMP traps are unsolicited messages that are sent by SNMP agents to SNMP managers when a significant event occurs on a network device78.
• SNMP traps are used to notify the network manager of urgent or abnormal situations that require attention78.
• SNMP traps are not related to adding a new system to monitoring, as they do not define the network objects or the SNMP protocol78.

References:

• Management information base - Wikipedia
• Management Information Base Reference - IBM
• What is Network Baselining? | Webopedia
• Networking 101 – The Importance of Network Baselining
• Network device logs - CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Domain 3.3
• Logs and Monitoring – N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 3.1
• Understanding Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) Traps
• What is an SNMP Trap? Guide & Tools For 2024 - Comparitech

Plenum cable is the most appropriate to use when running bulk cables in ceilings because it is designed to meet fire safety standards and reduce the risk of toxic smoke in plenum spaces, which are areas with air flow above or below floors.

One of the features that can be configured to ensure that GRE overhead does not affect payload is A. jumbo frames. Jumbo frames are Ethernet frames that have a payload size larger than 1500 bytes, which is the standard maximum transmission unit (MTU) for Ethernet. By using jumbo frames, more data can be sent in each packet, reducing the overhead ratio and improving efficiency.

Auto medium-dependent interface (MDI), interface crossover, and collision detection are features related to Ethernet physical layer connectivity, but they do not affect GRE overhead or payload.

• The question asks about the best wireless standard for a WLAN project that involves MU-MIMO and dual-band frequencies.
• The answer is not A, because 802.11ac is a wireless standard that supports MU-MIMO, but only operates on the 5GHz frequency band, which does not meet the project requirement of compatibility with 2.4GHz clients.
• The answer is not C, because 802.11g is a wireless standard that operates on the 2.4GHz frequency band, but does not support MU-MIMO, which is a key feature for improving connection performance in high-density areas.
• The answer is not D, because 802.11n is a wireless standard that operates on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands, but only supports SU-MIMO (Single-User Multiple-Input Multiple-Output), which is less efficient and scalable than MU-MIMO for multiple concurrent connections.
• The answer is B, because 802.11ax is a wireless standard that supports MU-MIMO and operates on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands, which meets the project requirements of compatibility and performance. 802.11ax is also known as Wi-Fi 6, and it offers higher data rates, lower latency, and better energy efficiency than previous wireless standards.

References:

• : CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 3: Network Components, Section 3.1: Network Devices, p. 121
• : CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 3: Network Components, Section 3.2: Wireless Technologies, p. 134
• : CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 3: Network Components, Section 3.2: Wireless Technologies, p. 136
• : CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 3: Network Components, Section 3.2: Wireless Technologies, p. 139

Port mirroring is a feature that allows a network switch to copy the traffic from one or more ports to another port for monitoring purposes. Port mirroring can be used to analyze the network traffic from a specific source, destination, or protocol without affecting the normal operation of the network. Port mirroring can also help to detect and troubleshoot network problems, such as performance issues, security breaches, or policy violations.

The other options are not correct because they do not meet the requirements of the question. They are:

• Turn on port security. Port security is a feature that restricts the number and type of devices that can connect to a switch port. Port security can help to prevent unauthorized access, MAC address spoofing, or MAC flooding attacks. However, port security does not allow the network security engineer to view the traffic from the user’s PC to the switch.
• Implement dynamic ARP inspection. Dynamic ARP inspection (DAI) is a feature that validates the ARP packets on a network and prevents ARP spoofing attacks. DAI can help to protect the network from man-in-the-middle, denial-of-service, or data interception attacks. However, DAI does not allow the network security engineer to view the traffic from the user’s PC to the switch.
• Configure 802.1Q. 802.1Q is a standard that defines how to create and manage virtual LANs (VLANs) on a network. VLANs can help to segment the network into logical groups based on function, security, or performance. However, 802.1Q does not allow the network security engineer to view the traffic from the user’s PC to the switch.

References1: Port Mirroring - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics2: Network+ (Plus) Certification | CompTIA IT Certifications3: Port Security - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics4: Dynamic ARP Inspection - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics5: 802.1Q - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

When a fiber uplink is operating at 100% capacity for an extended period of time, it can cause sustained link saturation. This can impact the network's performance by increasing latency. Latency is the time it takes for a packet to travel from the source to its destination. When there is link saturation, packets may have to wait in a queue before being transmitted, which increases the time it takes for them to reach their destination. As a result, users may experience delays or timeouts when accessing network resources.

Other metrics such as jitter, speed, and bandwidth are also important, but they are not as directly impacted by sustained link saturation as latency.

• Smart lockers are secure storage units that can be accessed remotely by authorized users via a code, a card, or a biometric scan. They can be used to store various types of devices, such as laptops, tablets, phones, or tools, and provide contactless delivery to users who need them.
• Asset tags are labels that identify and track the inventory of devices, but they do not provide storage or delivery functions.
• Biometrics are methods of verifying the identity of users based on their physical or behavioral characteristics, such as fingerprints, face, or voice. They can be used to authenticate users, but they do not provide storage or delivery functions by themselves.
• Access control vestibules are physical or logical barriers that restrict the entry or exit of users to a certain area, such as a building, a room, or a network. They can be used to enhance the security of devices, but they do not provide storage or delivery functions by themselves.
• Therefore, the correct answer is D. Smart lockers, as they can be used to store various types of devices and provide contactless delivery to users. References:
• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, Chapter 2: Network Devices and Technologies, page 66
• Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes, Section 2.5: Network Device Placement and Installation, page 23

The most likely cause of the intermittent connectivity issues when specific Wireless Access Points (WAPs) are turned on and share channel five is interference. Wireless interference occurs when multiple devices operate on the same channel within close proximity to each other, leading to signal congestion and reduced performance. This type of interference can cause the connectivity to be sporadic, as described. Other options like polarization, incorrect channel (since they are on the intended channel), or low power levels would generally not cause intermittent issues strictly when WAPs are turned on​​.

 ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) is a protocol that is used to send error and control messages between network devices, such as ping requests and replies. ICMP is being blocked by the firewall, which prevents the network technician from pinging the web server. TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is a protocol that provides reliable and ordered delivery of data between network devices, such as web service requests and responses using HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). TCP is not being blocked by the firewall, which allows the network technician to verify connectivity to the web service using Telnet. UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is a protocol that provides fast and efficient delivery of data between network devices, but does not guarantee reliability or order. UDP is used for applications such as streaming media or online gaming. ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) is a protocol that resolves IP addresses to MAC addresses on a local network. References: [CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives], Domain 2.0 Networking Concepts, Objective 2.1: Compare and contrast OSI and TCP/IP models, Subobjective: TCP/IP model layers (Application/Transport/Internet/Network Interface)

• Latency is the time it takes for a data packet to travel from one point to another on a network. It is measured in milliseconds (ms) and affects the quality and speed of online activities such as gaming, video conferencing, and web browsing12.
• Accessibility is the availability of a network service to users in different locations and situations. It depends on factors such as coverage area, infrastructure, cost, and compatibility3 .
• Satellite internet is a type of broadband service that uses satellites orbiting the earth to transmit and receive data signals. It is often used in rural or remote areas where other types of internet are not available or reliable .
• Satellite internet is most likely to have the highest latency while being the most accessible compared to the other options because:
• The other options are not correct because:

References:

• 1: What is Latency? - Cloudflare
• 2: How Latency Affects Internet Speed - Lifewire
• 3: What is Internet Accessibility? - Techopedia
• : Internet Accessibility - World Bank
• : What is Satellite Internet? - How-To Geek
• : Satellite Internet: What It Is and How It Works - PCMag
• : What is DSL Internet? - HighSpeedInternet.com
• : DSL vs. Cable vs. Fiber vs. Satellite Internet—Compare Internet Types - Business.org
• : What is Cable Internet? - HighSpeedInternet.com
• : Broadband grudge match: Cable vs. DSL vs. 4G - Digital Trends
• : What is 4G? - Verizon
• : 4G vs. LTE: The differences explained - Digital Trends

• The question asks about the least amount of equipment to segment two departments that have cables terminating in the same room.
• Segmentation is the process of dividing a network into smaller logical units for security, performance, or management purposes.
• One way to segment a network is by using VLANs (virtual LANs), which are logical groups of devices that share the same broadcast domain, regardless of their physical location or connection.
• VLANs can be configured on switches that support Layer 2 or Layer 3 functionality. Layer 2 switches operate at the data link layer and forward frames based on MAC addresses. Layer 3 switches operate at the network layer and forward packets based on IP addresses.
• A Layer 3 switch can perform both Layer 2 and Layer 3 functions, and can also route traffic between different VLANs without the need for an external router. This makes it a versatile and efficient device for network segmentation.
• Therefore, the answer is C, a Layer 3 switch, as it can segment two departments with the least amount of equipment.

References:

• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 2: Network Devices and Technologies, Section 2.1: Network Devices, Pages 74-75
• Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course, Video 2.1: Network Devices, Part 1
• Network + N10-008 practice exam, Question 977, Answer C, Explanation

To define the location where VoIP phones can download configuration files, the network administrator can use scope options within the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) service. Scope options are a set of values that can be configured within a DHCP scope, which defines a range of IP addresses that can be leased to clients on a network. One of the scope options that can be configured is the option for the location of the configuration file server, which specifies the URL or IP address of the server where the configuration files can be downloaded.

An access control vestibule, also known as a mantrap, is a physical security access control system that consists of a small space with two sets of interlocking doors. The first set of doors must close before the second set opens, preventing unauthorized individuals from following authorized individuals into facilities with controlled access. This activity, also known as tailgating, results in unauthorized access to the facility. An access control vestibule can help deter and detect tailgating attempts, as well as provide a containment area while authorization for physical access is verified.

References

Access Control Vestibules: Types and Peculiarities

Mantrap (access control)

PE-3 (8): Access Control Vestibules

Traffic shaping is a bandwidth management technique that uses buffers at the client side to prevent TCP retransmissions from occurring when the ISP starts to drop packets of specific types that exceed the agreed traffic rate. Traffic shaping delays or queues packets that exceed the traffic rate, instead of dropping them, and sends them later when the traffic rate is lower. This reduces the number of TCP retransmissions and improves the overall network performance. Traffic shaping can also prioritize packets based on their type, source, destination, or other criteria. References: Routing Technologies and Bandwidth Management | Foundation Topics | Pearson IT Certification, CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives

A client-to-site VPN and a split-tunnel VPN are the best options for designing a secure remote access scheme that meets the given requirements. A client-to-site VPN allows users at multiple locations to access corporate resources over the internet by creating a secure tunnel between their devices and a VPN concentrator on the corporate network1. A split-tunnel VPN allows the on-premises equipment to handle only the traffic that is destined for the corporate resources, while the non-corporate traffic is routed directly to the internet without passing through the VPN tunnel2. This reduces the bandwidth and processing load on the corporate network and improves the performance of the remote access.

References:

• Remote Access – N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 4.41
• comptia Network+ : Remote Access Methods And Network Monitoring2

• A service set identifier (SSID) is a name that identifies a wireless network12.
• A wireless network can have multiple SSIDs, each with different settings and security parameters, to create separate logical networks for different purposes or users12.
• However, having multiple SSIDs can also create some challenges, such as increased management overhead, reduced bandwidth, and interference12.
• A technician can consolidate a topology with multiple SSIDs into one unique SSID deployment, by using a single SSID for the entire wireless network and applying different policies or profiles based on other criteria, such as user roles, device types, or locations12.
• One of the benefits of having a unique SSID deployment is that it enables seamless roaming, which is the ability of a wireless device to move from one access point (AP) to another without losing connectivity or experiencing delays12.
• Seamless roaming is possible after this new configuration, because the device does not need to scan for and authenticate with different SSIDs as it moves across the network, but can simply switch to the best available AP that shares the same SSID12.
• The other options are not features that will be possible after this new configuration, because they are either unrelated or unaffected by the SSID deployment:

References:

• 1: Wireless LAN Topologies - N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 3.1
• 2: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Full Course for Beginners - Wireless LAN Topologies (3.1)
• 3: Wireless Network Types - N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 3.1
• 4: Wireless Security Protocols - N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 3.2
• [5]: Wireless Technologies - N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 3.3

Port mirroring is a feature that allows a switch to copy the traffic from one or more ports to another port for monitoring or analysis purposes. Port mirroring can help a network administrator to troubleshoot network problems, detect security threats, or optimize network performance. Port mirroring can be configured on most switches using the command-line interface (CLI) or a graphical user interface (GUI).

References:

• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Exam Objectives, page 51
• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Cert Guide, Chapter 11: Switching Technologies
• Port Mirroring - CompTIA Network+ Certification (N10-008): The Total Course [Video]1
• CompTIA Network+ N10-005: 2.1 – Port Mirroring - Professor Messer IT Certification Training Courses2
• CompTIA Network+ N10-005: 1.4 – Port Mirroring3

SIEM stands for Security Information and Event Management, which is a tool that collects, analyzes, and correlates data from various network devices and sources to provide alerts and reports on security incidents and events. A report from the SIEM tool can provide a comprehensive overview of the network alerts from the past week to the executive staff, highlighting any potential threats, vulnerabilities, or anomalies. References:

A wireless controller would be able to handle the requirement of implementing a large number of WAPs throughout the building and allowing users to move around without dropping their connections. A wireless controller is a device that centrally manages and configures multiple wireless access points (WAPs) on a network. It can provide features such as load balancing, roaming, security, QoS, and monitoring for the wireless network. A wireless controller can also support wireless mesh networks, where some WAPs act as relays for other WAPs to extend the wireless coverage. References:

Role separation is a security principle that involves dividing the tasks and privileges for a specific business process among multiple users. This reduces the risk of fraud and errors, as no one user has complete control over the process. In the scenario, there are three employees who perform very distinct functions on the server, which is an example of role separation. References:

Change management documentation is a record of the changes that have been made to a system or process, including the reason, date, time, and impact of each change. A technician can reference this documentation to find what solution was implemented to resolve a previously encountered issue, as well as any potential side effects or dependencies of the change. References:

Quality of service (QoS) is a mechanism that prioritizes network traffic based on different criteria, such as application type, source and destination address, port number, etc., and allocates bandwidth and resources accordingly. QoS would best improve performance for video conferencing, as it would ensure that video traffic gets higher priority and lower latency than other types of traffic on the network. Packet shaping is a technique that controls the rate or volume of network traffic by delaying or dropping packets that exceed certain thresholds or violate certain policies, which may not improve performance for video conferencing if it causes packet loss or jitter. Port mirroring is a technique that copies traffic from one port to another port on a switch for monitoring or analysis purposes, which does not improve performance for video conferencing at all. Load balancing is a technique that distributes network traffic across multiple servers or devices for improved availability and scalability, which does not

Giants are packets that exceed the configured MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) of a switchport or interface, which causes them to be dropped or fragmented by the switch or router. The MTU is the maximum size of a packet that can be transmitted without fragmentation on a given medium or protocol. Giants can indicate misconfiguration or mismatch of MTU values between devices or interfaces on a network, which can cause performance issues or errors. CRC errors are errors that occur when the cyclic redundancy check (CRC) value of a packet does not match the calculated CRC value at the destination, which indicates corruption or alteration of data during transmission due to noise, interference, faulty cabling, etc., but not necessarily exceeding MTU values. Runts are packets that are smaller than the minimum size allowed by the medium or protocol, which causes them to be dropped or ignored by the switch or router. Flooding is a technique where a switch sends packets to all ports except the source port when it does not have an entry for the destination MAC address in its MAC address table, which can cause congestion or broadcast storms on a network.

A honeypot is a decoy system that is intentionally left vulnerable or exposed to attract attackers and divert them from the real targets. A honeypot can also be used to collect information about the attackers’ techniques and motives. A network administrator can implement a honeypot to analyze attacks directed toward the company’s network, as a honeypot can help identify the source, target, method, and impact of an attack, as well as provide recommendations for remediation. References:

The firewall administrator is implementing a PAT (Port Address Translation) rule that directs HTTP traffic to an internal server listening on a non-standard socket. PAT is a type of NAT (Network Address Translation) that allows multiple devices to share a single public IP address by using different port numbers. PAT can also be used to redirect traffic from one port to another port on the same or different IP address. This can be useful for security or load balancing purposes. For example, a firewall administrator can configure a PAT rule that redirects HTTP traffic (port 80) from the public IP address of the firewall to an internal server that listens on a non-standard port (such as 8080) on its private IP address. References:

 Using an out-of-band access method is the best way to prevent unauthorized access to the legacy switches that do not support cryptographic functions. Out-of-band access is a method of accessing a network device through a dedicated channel that is separate from the main network traffic. Out-of-band access can use physical connections such as serial console ports or dial-up modems, or logical connections such as VPNs or firewalls. Out-of-band access provides more security and reliability than in-band access, which uses the same network as the data traffic and may be vulnerable to attacks or failures. References:

TACACS+ is a protocol that provides centralized authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) for network devices and users. TACACS+ can help improve the security of the management console on the company’s switches by verifying the identity and credentials of the administrators, enforcing granular access policies and permissions, and logging the configuration changes made by each administrator. This way, the network administrator can ensure only authorized and authenticated users can access and modify the switch settings, and also track and correlate the changes made by each user. References:

If the link LEDs on the workstation and modem do not light up when connecting to a workstation, it could indicate a problem with the cable connecting them. The cable could be damaged, defective, or incompatible with the devices. A technician should replace the cable with a known good one and check if the link LEDs light up. If not, the problem could be with the network interface cards (NICs) on the workstation or modem. References:

netstat -a is a command that displays information about active TCP connections and listening ports on a system. A network administrator can use netstat -a to check if the database engine is listening on a certain port, as well as verify if there are any connections established to or from that port. References:

Giants are packets that exceed the configured MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) of a switchport or interface, which causes them to be dropped or fragmented by the switch or router. The MTU is the maximum size of a packet that can be transmitted without fragmentation on a given medium or protocol. Giants can indicate misconfiguration or mismatch of MTU values between devices or interfaces on a network, which can cause performance issues or errors. CRC errors are errors that occur when the cyclic redundancy check (CRC) value of a packet does not match the calculated CRC value at the destination, which indicates corruption or alteration of data during transmission due to noise, interference, faulty cabling, etc., but not necessarily exceeding MTU values. Runts are packets that are smaller than the minimum size allowed by the medium or protocol, which causes them to be dropped or ignored by the switch or router. Flooding is a technique where a switch sends packets to all ports except the source port when it does not have an entry for the destination MAC address in its MAC address table, which can cause congestion or broadcast storms on a network.

A site-to-site VPN is a type of VPN that connects two or more remote offices securely over an untrustworthy network, such as the Internet. A site-to-site VPN allows each office to access network shares and resources at the other site, as if they were on the same local network. A site-to-site VPN encrypts and tunnels the traffic between the offices, ensuring privacy and integrity of the data. References:

 Jitter is most likely causing the issue of intermittent one-way audio and dropped conversations for the company that uses VoIP telephones. Jitter is a variation in delay of packets arriving at the destination. It can cause choppy or distorted audio quality for VoIP applications, especially over WAN links that have limited bandwidth and high latency. The recommended jitter for VoIP is less than 10ms1. The company has recorded ping times that exceed 50ms, which indicates high jitter and latency on their network. References: 1

A door lock would be the best security device to use to provide mechanical access control to the MDF/IDF. A door lock is a device that prevents unauthorized access to a physical area by requiring a key, a code, a card, a biometric scan, or a combination of these factors to open it. A door lock can provide mechanical access control to the MDF/IDF, which are rooms that house network equipment such as switches, routers, servers, or patch panels. A door lock can prevent unauthorized persons from tampering with or stealing the network equipment or data. References:

show interface is a command-line tool that displays information about the status, configuration, and statistics of an interface on a network device. A technician can use show interface to determine where the incident is occurring in a network by checking the uplink status, speed, duplex mode, errors, collisions, and other parameters of each interface. References:

Port tagging is a technique that involves adding a tag or identifier to the frames or packets that belong to a certain VLAN. A VLAN is a logical segment of a network that isolates traffic between different groups of devices. Port tagging allows devices on different physical ports or switches to communicate with each other as if they were on the same port or switch. Port tagging can help keep the design simple and efficient by reducing the number of physical ports and switches needed to segment departments into different networks. References:

A virtual switch is a software-based switch that connects virtual machines on a hypervisor. A virtual switch can create and manage VLANs, which are logical segments of a network that isolate traffic between different groups of devices. A customer can use virtual switches to segregate the traffic between guests on a hypervisor by creating a separate VLAN for each guest and assigning it to a virtual switch port. References:

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts user data and demands a ransom for its decryption. Ransomware can prevent users from accessing their files and applications, and cause data loss or corruption. A proper backup implementation is essential to recover from a ransomware attack, as it can help restore the encrypted data without paying the ransom or relying on the attackers’ decryption key. References:

AUP stands for Acceptable Use Policy, which is a policy that defines the rules and guidelines for using a network or service. A guest captive portal is a web page that requires users to agree to the AUP before accessing the Internet or other network resources. This is a common way to enforce security and legal compliance for guest users. References:

The switch processes the data by flooding it out of every port, except the one on which it came in. Flooding is a process where a switch sends a data frame to all ports except the source port when it does not have an entry for the destination MAC address in its MAC address table. Flooding allows the switch to learn the MAC addresses of the devices connected to its ports and update its MAC address table accordingly. Flooding also ensures that the data frame reaches its intended destination, even if the switch does not know its location. References:

A VLAN mismatch is the most likely reason why an IP phone does not receive the necessary DHCP options for registration. A VLAN mismatch occurs when a device is connected to a switch port that belongs to a different VLAN than the device’s intended VLAN. This can cause communication problems or prevent access to network resources. For example, if an IP phone is connected to a switch port that belongs to the data VLAN instead of the voice VLAN, it may not receive the DHCP options that contain information such as the TFTP server address, the NTP server address, or the default gateway address for the voice VLAN. These DHCP options are essential for the IP phone to register with the VoIP system and function properly. References:

NDA stands for Non-Disclosure Agreement, which is a legal contract between two or more parties that outlines confidential material, knowledge, or information that the parties wish to share with one another for certain purposes, but wish to restrict access to by others. A network administrator may need to sign an NDA before sharing information about a new project with different vendors, as the project may involve sensitive or proprietary data that the company wants to protect from competitors or unauthorized use. References:

10 additional network connections are needed to transition from a star to a full-mesh topology. A star topology is a network topology where each device is connected to a central device, such as a switch or a hub. A full-mesh topology is a network topology where each device is directly connected to every other device. The number of connections needed for a full-mesh topology can be calculated by the formula n(n-1)/2, where n is the number of devices. In this case, there are six devices (one core and five distribution switches), so the number of connections needed for a full-mesh topology is 6(6-1)/2 = 15. Since there are already five connections in the star topology (one from each distribution switch to the core switch), the number of additional connections needed is 15 - 5 = 10. References:

Load balancing is a technology that allows traffic to be sent through two different ISPs to increase performance. Load balancing is a process of distributing network traffic across multiple servers or links to optimize resource utilization, throughput, latency, and reliability. Load balancing can be implemented at different layers of the OSI model, such as layer 4 (transport) or layer 7 (application). Load balancing can also be used for outbound traffic by using multiple ISPs and routing protocols such as BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) to select the best path for each packet. References:

SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is a protocol that allows network devices to communicate with a network management system (NMS) for monitoring and configuration purposes. SNMP traps are unsolicited messages sent by network devices to the NMS when certain events or conditions occur, such as errors, failures, or thresholds. Configuring SNMP traps on the network would best help the administrator determine the cause of jitter and high latency on a VoIP network, as they would provide real-time alerts and information about the network performance and status. Enabling RADIUS on the network is not relevant to troubleshooting VoIP issues, as RADIUS is a protocol that provides authentication, authorization, and accounting services for network access. Implementing LDAP on the network is also not relevant to troubleshooting VoIP issues, as LDAP is a protocol that provides directory services for storing and querying information about users, groups, devices, etc. Establishing NTP on the network is not directly related to troubleshooting VoIP issues, as NTP is a protocol that synchronizes the clocks of network devices.

The lab environment is located in the DMZ, and traffic to the LAN zone is denied by default. This is the most likely reason why the web server cannot retrieve files from the file server, and the technician can either move the computer to another zone or request an exception from the administrator to resolve the problem. A DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is a network segment that separates the internal network (LAN) from the external network (Internet). It usually hosts public-facing servers such as web servers, email servers, or FTP servers that need to be accessed by both internal and external users. A firewall is used to control the traffic between the DMZ and the LAN zones, and usually denies traffic from the DMZ to the LAN by default for security reasons. Therefore, if a web server in the DMZ needs to communicate with a file server in the LAN, it would need a special rule or permission from the firewall administrator. References:

 RJ11 is a type of connector that is commonly used for analog phone lines. RJ11 has four wires and six positions, but only two or four of them are used. A technician can crimp an RJ11 connector to a new phone line to install an analog desk phone for a new receptionist. References:

Syslog is a protocol that provides a standard way for network devices and applications to send event messages to a logging server or a security appliance. Syslog messages can contain information about security incidents, errors, warnings, system status, configuration changes, and other events. A security appliance that is correlating network events from multiple devices can rely on Syslog to receive event messages from different sources and formats. References:

The default credentials are the username and password that come with a device or service when it is first installed or configured. They are often easy to guess or find online, which makes them vulnerable to unauthorized access or attacks. The default credentials should be changed to something unique and strong as soon as possible to avoid this situation. If the default credentials were not changed, someone could have accessed the SOHO router and changed the WiFi settings without the employees’ knowledge. References:

SIEM stands for Security Information and Event Management, which is a tool that collects, analyzes, and correlates data from various network devices and sources to provide alerts and reports on security incidents and events. A network technician can use SIEM to correlate security events to analyze a suspected intrusion, as SIEM can help identify the source, target, method, and impact of an attack, as well as provide recommendations for remediation. References:

Implicit deny is a firewall rule that blocks all traffic that is not explicitly allowed by other rules. Implicit deny is usually applied as the last rule in the firewall to ensure that only the necessary access requirements are allowed through the firewall and that any unwanted or malicious traffic is rejected. Implicit deny can also provide a default security policy and a baseline for auditing and logging purposes.

Secure SNMP is a protocol that allows network devices to send event messages to a centralized server or console for logging and analysis. Secure SNMP can be used to monitor and manage the status, performance, and configuration of network devices. Secure SNMP can also help to detect and respond to potential problems or faults on the network. However, secure SNMP is not a firewall rule; it is a network management protocol.

Port security is a feature that allows a switch to restrict the devices that can connect to a specific port based on their MAC addresses. Port security can help to prevent unauthorized access, spoofing, or MAC flooding attacks on the switch. However, port security is not a firewall rule; it is a switch feature.

DHCP snooping is a feature that allows a switch to filter DHCP messages and prevent rogue DHCP servers from assigning IP addresses to devices on the network. DHCP snooping can help to prevent IP address conflicts, spoofing, or denial-of-service attacks on the network. However, DHCP snooping is not a firewall rule; it is a switch feature.

SLAAC (Stateless Address Autoconfiguration) is a method for IPv6 devices to automatically configure their IP addresses based on the network prefix advertised by a router. The router sends periodic router advertisements (RAs) that contain the network prefix and other parameters for the devices to use. If the network gateway is not configured to send RAs, then SLAAC will not work. A DHCP server is not needed for SLAAC, as the devices generate their own addresses without relying on a server. Dual stack and anycast routing are not related to SLAAC.

1000BaseSX is an Ethernet standard that should be used to connect the network switch to the existing multimode fiber optic cable. 1000BaseSX is a Gigabit Ethernet standard that uses short-wavelength laser (850 nm) over multimode fiber optic cable. It can support distances up to 550 meters depending on the cable type and quality. It is suitable for short-range network segments such as campus or building backbone networks. References:

An omni antenna should be used by the AP to provide service in a radius surrounding a radio. An omni antenna is a type of antenna that has a 360-degree horizontal radiation pattern. It can provide wireless coverage in all directions from the antenna with varying degrees of vertical coverage. It is suitable for indoor environments where users are located around the AP1. References: 1

A warm site is a type of disaster recovery site that has equipment ready to go in the event of a disaster at the main datacenter, but does not have live data or applications. A warm site requires some time and effort to restore the data and services from backups, but it is less expensive than a hot site that has live data and applications. A cold site is a disaster recovery site that has no equipment or data, and requires a lot of time and money to set up after a disaster. A cloud site is a disaster recovery site that uses cloud computing resources to provide data and services, but it may have issues with bandwidth, latency, security, and cost. References:

VPN (Virtual Private Network) is the most appropriate way to enable secure remote printing. VPN is a technology that creates a secure and encrypted tunnel over a public network such as the Internet. It allows remote users or sites to access a private network as if they were directly connected to it. VPN can be used for various purposes such as accessing corporate resources, bypassing geo-restrictions, or enhancing privacy and security. VPN can also be used for remote printing by allowing users to connect to a printer on the private network and send print jobs securely over the VPN tunnel. References:

255.255.252.0 is a subnet mask that allows for 1022 network-connected devices on the same subnet, which is the smallest subnet that can accommodate 412 devices. The subnet mask determines how many bits are used for the network portion and how many bits are used for the host portion of an IP address. A smaller subnet mask means more bits are used for the network portion and less bits are used for the host portion, which reduces the number of available hosts on the subnet. 255.255.0.0 allows for 65534 hosts on the same subnet, which is too large. 255.255.254.0 allows for 510 hosts on the same subnet, which is also too large. 255.255.255.0 allows for 254 hosts on the same subnet, which is too small.

RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) is a protocol that should be used by the organization to allow for authentication, authorization, and auditing of network services. RADIUS is an AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) protocol that manages network access by verifying user credentials, granting access permissions, and logging user activities. RADIUS uses a client-server model where a RADIUS client (such as a router, switch, or VPN server) sends user information to a RADIUS server (such as an authentication server) for verification and authorization. The RADIUS server can also send accounting information to another server for billing or reporting purposes. References:

Clustering is a technique that involves grouping multiple servers or instances together to provide high availability and fault tolerance for a database. Clustering can help improve the availability of a SQL database by allowing automatic failover and load balancing between the cluster nodes. If one node fails or becomes overloaded, another node can take over the database operations without disrupting the service. References:

A vSwitch (virtual switch) is a software-based switch that provides networking capability for VMs (virtual machines) at Layer 2 of the OSI model. It connects the VMs to each other or to external networks using virtual NICs (network interface cards). A VPN (virtual private network) is a technology that creates a secure tunnel over a public network for remote access or site-to-site connectivity. VRRP (Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol) is a protocol that provides high availability for routers by creating a virtual router with multiple physical routers. A VIP (virtual IP) is an IP address that can be shared by multiple servers or devices for load balancing or failover purposes.

 A UTM appliance stands for Unified Threat Management appliance, which is a device that combines multiple security functions into one solution. A UTM appliance can provide firewall, IDS/IPS, antivirus, VPN, web filtering, and other security features. A network technician can use a UTM appliance in place of an edge firewall and an IDS to prevent future attacks, as a UTM appliance can block malicious traffic and detect and respond to intrusions more effectively. References:

RG-6 is a type of coaxial cable that is commonly used by cable companies to provide Internet access from the demarcation point back to the central office. It has a thicker conductor and better shielding than RG-59, which is another type of coaxial cable. Multimode and Cat 5e are types of fiber optic and twisted pair cables respectively, which are not typically used by cable companies. Cat 6 and 100BASE-T are standards for twisted pair cables, not types of cabling.

Wireless client isolation is a feature on wireless routers that limits the connectivity between wireless devices connected to the same network. It prevents them from accessing resources on other wireless or wired devices, as a security measure to reduce attacks and threats. This feature can be useful for guest and BYOD SSIDs, but it can also be disabled on the router’s settings. References:

IaaS stands for Infrastructure as a Service, which is a cloud computing model that provides virtualized computing resources such as servers, storage, and networking over the Internet. IaaS can provide data storage, hardware options, and scalability to a third-party company that cannot afford new devices by allowing them to rent or lease the infrastructure they need from a cloud provider. The company can pay only for what they use and scale up or down as needed. References:

A honeypot is a decoy system that is intentionally left vulnerable or exposed to attract attackers and divert them from the real targets. A honeypot can also be used to collect information about the attackers’ techniques and motives. In the scenario, the SaaS provider has left an unpatched VM available via a public DMZ port, which could be a honeypot technique to lure attackers and monitor their activities. References:

The output is most likely an example of an ARP poisoning attack. ARP poisoning, also known as ARP spoofing, is a type of attack that exploits the ARP protocol to associate a malicious device’s MAC address with a legitimate IP address on a local area network. This allows the attacker to intercept, modify, or redirect network traffic between two devices without their knowledge. The output shows that there are multiple entries for the same IP address (192.168.1.1) with different MAC addresses in the ARP cache of the device. This indicates that an attacker has sent fake ARP replies to trick the device into believing that its MAC address is associated with the IP address of another device (such as the default gateway). References:

A hot site is the disaster recovery solution that the corporation should implement for its critical system that would cause unrecoverable damage to the brand if it was taken offline. A hot site is a fully operational backup site that can take over the primary site’s functions in case of a disaster or disruption. A hot site has all the necessary hardware, software, data, network connections, and personnel to resume normal operations with minimal downtime. A hot site is suitable for systems that require high availability and cannot afford any data loss or interruption. References: 1

Firmware is a type of software that controls the low-level functions of a hardware device, such as a router, switch, printer, or camera. Firmware updates are patches or upgrades that fix bugs, improve performance, add features, or address security vulnerabilities in firmware. Firmware updates are commonly used to address CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) on network equipment and operating systems, as CVEs are publicly known flaws that can be exploited by attackers. References:

A reservation is a feature of DHCP that assigns a specific IP address to a device based on its MAC address. This way, the device will always receive the same IP address from the DHCP server, regardless of its location or connection time. A network administrator can set up a reservation for each loT device to accomplish the requirements of reducing manual configuration, assigning a specific IP address, and allowing devices to move to different switchports on the same VLAN. References:

2.4GHz is the wireless frequency that would allow for the least signal attenuation when deploying a low-density wireless network with multiple types of building materials. Signal attenuation is the loss of signal strength or quality as it travels through a medium or over a distance. Signal attenuation can be affected by various factors such as distance, interference, reflection, refraction, diffraction, scattering, or absorption. Generally, lower frequencies have less signal attenuation than higher frequencies because they can penetrate obstacles better and travel farther. Therefore, 2.4GHz would have less signal attenuation than 5GHz, 850MHz, or 900MHz. References:

A type 1 hypervisor is a system that is installed directly on a server’s hardware and abstracts the hardware from any guest machines. A hypervisor is a software layer that enables virtualization by creating and managing virtual machines (VMs) on a physical host. A type 1 hypervisor, also known as a bare-metal hypervisor or a native hypervisor, runs directly on the host’s hardware without requiring an underlying operating system (OS). It provides better performance and security than a type 2 hypervisor, which runs on top of an existing OS and relies on it for hardware access. References:

 TCP is the protocol type that describes secure communication on port 443. TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is a connection-oriented protocol that provides reliable and ordered delivery of data packets over an IP network. TCP uses port numbers to identify different applications or services on a device. Port 443 is the default port for HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure), which is an extension of HTTP that uses SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security) encryption to protect data in transit between a web server and a web browser. References:

An omnidirectional antenna was used instead of a unidirectional antenna, which is most likely the cause of the wireless network issues. An omnidirectional antenna provides wireless coverage in all directions from the antenna, which can cause signal overlap with adjacent offices and interference with other wireless networks. A unidirectional antenna, on the other hand, provides wireless coverage in a specific direction from the antenna, which can reduce signal overlap and interference and increase signal range and quality. A unidirectional antenna would be more suitable for a warehouse environment where users are located on one side of the building1. References: 1

The power level is a setting that determines how strong the wireless signal is from an access point (AP). If the power level is too high for an AP on the far side of a warehouse, it can cause interference and overlap with other APs on the same channel or frequency. This can result in handheld devices not connecting to the nearest APs, but connecting to the AP on the far side instead. A technician should adjust the power level of the AP on the far side to reduce interference and improve connectivity. References:

172.19.0.2 is a valid IP address configuration for the device that uses a static RFC1918 address for the network and allows for a connection over NAT (Network Address Translation). RFC1918 addresses are private IP addresses that are not routable on the public Internet and are used for internal networks. The RFC1918 address ranges are 10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12, and 192.168.0.0/16. NAT is a technique that translates private IP addresses to public IP addresses when communicating with external networks, such as the Internet. FE80::1 is an IPv6 link-local address that is not a static RFC1918 address and does not allow for a connection over NAT. 100.64.0.1 is an IPv4 address that belongs to the shared address space range (100.64.0.0/10) that is used for carrier-grade NAT (CGN) between service providers and subscribers, which is not a static RFC1918 address and does not allow for a connection over NAT. 169.254.1.2 is an IPv4 link-local address that is automatically assigned by a device when it cannot obtain an IP address from a DHCP server or manual configuration, which is not a static RFC1918 address and does not allow for a connection over NAT. 224.0.0.12 is an IPv4 multicast address that is used for VRRP (Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol), which is not a static RFC1918 address and does not allow for a connection over NAT.

An ARP request operates at the data link layer of the OSI model. ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) is a protocol that maps IP addresses to MAC addresses on a local area network. It allows devices to communicate with each other without knowing their MAC addresses beforehand. ARP operates at the data link layer (layer 2) of the OSI model, which is responsible for framing and addressing data packets on a physical medium. References:

A heat map would most likely be created as a result of the site survey. A heat map is a graphical representation of the wireless signal strength and coverage in a given area. It can show the location of APs, antennas, walls, obstacles, interference sources, and dead zones. It can help with planning, optimizing, and troubleshooting wireless networks. References:

A router is a device that uses the destination IP address to forward packets between different networks. A bridge and a Layer 2 switch operate at the data link layer and use MAC addresses to forward frames within the same network. A repeater is a device that amplifies or regenerates signals at the physical layer.

IaaS stands for Infrastructure as a Service, which is a cloud computing model that provides virtualized computing resources such as servers, storage, and networking over the Internet. When implementing IaaS, the network technician should consider the server hardware requirements, such as CPU, RAM, disk space, and network bandwidth, that are needed to run the applications and services on the cloud. The other options are not relevant to IaaS, as they are either handled by the cloud provider or by the end-user. References:

The antenna type affects the signal strength and coverage of a WAP. Different types of antennas have different radiation patterns and gain, which determine how far and wide the signal can reach. If the user experiences a weak signal in one direction but a strong signal in the opposite direction, it could mean that the antenna type is not suitable for the desired coverage area. The technician should consider changing the antenna type to one that has a more balanced or directional radiation pattern. References:

DNS poisoning is a type of attack that modifies the DNS records of a domain name to point to a malicious IP address instead of the legitimate one. This can result in users being directed to cloned websites that are stealing credentials, even if they enter the correct URL for the website. The incorrect DNS server address on the user’s PC could be a sign of DNS poisoning, as the attacker could have compromised the DNS server or spoofed its response to redirect the user’s queries. References:

Consistent labeling would be the concept that would best help the technician to confirm which switchport corresponds to the wall jack the PC is using. Consistent labeling is a practice of using standardized and descriptive labels for network devices, ports, cables, jacks, and other components. It can help with identifying, locating, and troubleshooting network issues. For example, a technician can use consistent labeling to trace a cable from a PC to a wall jack, and then from a patch panel to a switchport. References:

Role-based access is a security capability that assigns permissions to users based on their roles or functions within an organization. It allows the network administrator to maintain these permissions with the least administrative effort, as they only need to configure the security groups for each role once and then assign users to those groups. Mandatory access control is a security capability that assigns permissions based on security labels or classifications, which requires more administrative effort to maintain. User-based permissions are a security capability that assigns permissions to individual users, which is not scalable or efficient for large organizations. Least privilege is a security principle that states that users should only have the minimum level of access required to perform their tasks, which is not a security capability by itself.

The network administrator should confirm the patch’s MD5 hash prior to the upgrade to help ensure the upgrade process will be less likely to cause problems with the switches. MD5 (Message Digest 5) is a cryptographic hash function that produces a 128-bit hash value for any given input. It can be used to verify the integrity and authenticity of a file by comparing its hash value with a known or expected value. If the hash values match, it means that the file has not been corrupted or tampered with during transmission or storage. If the hash values do not match, it means that the file may be damaged or malicious and should not be used for the upgrade. References:

Time to live (TTL) is a value that indicates how long a DNS record can be cached by authoritative NSs (name servers) or other DNS servers before it expires and needs to be updated. A lower TTL value would expedite MX record updates to authoritative NSs, as they would refresh the record more frequently. UDP forwarding is not a DNS term, but a technique of sending UDP packets from one host to another. DNS caching is the process of storing DNS records locally for faster resolution, which does not expedite MX record updates. Recursive lookup is a type of DNS query where a DNS server queries other DNS servers on behalf of a client until it finds the answer, which does not expedite MX record updates.

A damaged cable is most likely the cause of the desktop not connecting to the network. A damaged cable can cause physical layer issues such as loss of signal, attenuation, interference, or crosstalk. These issues can prevent the desktop from establishing a link with the switch and result in the LED status light on the switchport being off. Other possible causes of physical layer issues are faulty connectors, ports, or transceivers. References:

The technician would most likely train the employee on using site-to-site VPNs between the two city locations and client-to-site software on the employee’s laptop for all other remote access. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a technology that creates a secure and encrypted tunnel over a public network such as the Internet. It allows remote users or sites to access a private network as if they were directly connected to it. A site-to-site VPN connects two or more networks, such as branch offices or data centers, using a VPN gateway device at each site. A client-to-site VPN connects individual users, such as mobile workers or telecommuters, using a VPN client software on their devices. In this scenario, the employee needs to access the network from different locations, such as home, travel, or another city. Therefore, the technician would train the employee on how to use site-to-site VPNs to connect to the network from another city location that shares services, and how to use client-to-site software to connect to the network from home or travel locations. References:

The default gateway is the setting that the user most likely misconfigured on the PC that caused it to be unable to access websites by both FQDN and IP. The default gateway is a device, usually a router or a firewall, that connects a local network to other networks such as the Internet. It acts as an intermediary between devices on different networks and forwards packets based on their destination IP addresses. If the default gateway is not configured correctly on a PC, it will not be able to communicate with devices outside its local network, such as web servers or DNS servers. References:

EAP-TLS is the method that should be selected to meet the requirements for designing a new secure wireless network. EAP-TLS (Extensible Authentication Protocol - Transport Layer Security) is an authentication protocol that uses X.509 digital certificates for both clients and servers. It provides strong security and mutual authentication by using TLS encryption and public key cryptography. It does not use plaintext passwords or shared secrets that can be compromised or guessed. It is also an open standard that is vendor neutral and supported by most wireless devices1. References: 1

IDS stands for intrusion detection system, which is a network appliance that monitors network traffic and alerts administrators of any suspicious or malicious activity. An IDS can warn of unapproved devices that are accessing the network by detecting anomalies, signatures, or behaviors that indicate unauthorized access attempts or attacks. References:

TCP/UDP port 5060 is commonly used by VoIP phones. It is the default port for SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), which is a signaling protocol that establishes, modifies, and terminates multimedia sessions over IP networks. SIP is widely used for VoIP applications such as voice and video calls. References:

Asset tags will allow the technician to record changes to new and old equipment when installing multiple UPS units in a major retail store. Asset tags are labels or stickers that are attached to physical assets such as computers, printers, servers, or UPS units. They usually contain information such as asset name, serial number, barcode, QR code, or RFID chip that can be scanned or read by an asset management system or software. Asset tags help track inventory, location, status, maintenance, and ownership of assets. References:

The ifconfig eth0 promisc command should be run on the Linux computer to enable promiscuous mode, which allows the computer to capture all network traffic passing through the switch mirror port. References: CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide, Chapter 7: Network Devices.

The most effective security mechanism against physical intrusions due to stolen credentials would likely be a combination of several of these options. However, of the options provided, the most effective security mechanism would probably be an access control vestibule. An access control vestibule is a secure area that is located between the outer perimeter of a facility and the inner secure area. It is designed to provide an additional layer of security by requiring that individuals pass through a series of security checks before being allowed access to the secure area. This could include biometric authentication, access card readers, and motion detection cameras.

Access control vestibules allow the enforcement of the policy that access to a datacenter should be individually recorded by a card reader even when multiple employees enter the facility at the same time. An access control vestibule is a physical security device that consists of two doors with an interlocking mechanism. Only one door can be opened at a time, and only one person can pass through each door. This prevents tailgating or piggybacking, where unauthorized persons follow authorized persons into a secure area. An access control vestibule can also be integrated with a card reader or other authentication system to record each individual’s access. References:

Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) should be enabled when configuring redundant network links between switches. STP ensures that only one active path is used at a time, preventing network loops and stability issues.

References:

• CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide

East-West traffic refers to data flows between servers or devices within the same datacenter. When a hosted virtual server is duplicated to another physical server for redundancy, it generates significant East-West traffic as the data is replicated between the two servers. References:

• Network+ N10-008 Objectives: 3.3 Given a scenario, implement secure network architecture concepts.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a system that would most likely be found in a screened subnet. A screened subnet, or triple-homed firewall, is a network architecture where a single firewall is used with three network interfaces. It provides additional protection from outside cyber attacks by adding a perimeter network to isolate or separate the internal network from the public-facing internet1. A screened subnet typically hosts systems that need to be accessed by both internal and external users, such as web servers, email servers, or FTP servers. References: 1