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

• The issue on port 1/3 is related to speed, as indicated in the configuration output from the switch. All three ports (1/1, 1/2, and 1/3) are connected and have full duplex settings; however, port 1/3 has a significantly lower speed of 10 compared to the other two ports with a speed of 1000. This discrepancy in speed can lead to performance issues on the client PC connected to port 1/3 as it may not be able to communicate effectively with other devices on the network or may experience slow data transfer rates.
• One fundamental configuration is the speed and duplex of the interface. The speed refers to the speed of the Ethernet link. This would be a 10-megabit, 100-megabit, 1,000-megabit, or 1-gig, and a 10-gig connection. Commonly, we would also see a duplex configuration, where the duplex would be set to either half or full1.
• Many times, this configuration is set to be automatic. This means that both devices will negotiate with each other and find the best option for both speed and duplex. Some organizations prefer to manually set these. And they will configure the speed and duplex within the switch and the device configuration itself. One important consideration is that these settings need to match on both sides of the wire. So if you’re configuring a device to be 1-gig and full-duplex, then the switch on the other side of the wire needs to also be configured for 1-gig and full-duplex1.
• Therefore, the correct answer is A. Speed, as it is the cause of the issue on port 1/3.

References:

• Interface Configurations – N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 2.3

SNMPv3 is a protocol that allows network administrators to monitor and manage network devices such as routers, switches, servers, printers, and more. SNMPv3 provides authentication and encryption features that ensure the security and integrity of the data exchanged between the management station and the network devices. SNMPv3 uses a user-based security model (USM) that supports three levels of security: noAuthNoPriv, authNoPriv, and authPriv. The noAuthNoPriv level provides no authentication or encryption, the authNoPriv level provides authentication but no encryption, and the authPriv level provides both authentication and encryption12.

References

• SNMP is one of the common network monitoring protocols covered in Objective 3.1 of the CompTIA Network+ N10-008 certification exam3.
• SNMPv3 provides authentication and encryption features for network monitoring12.
• SNMPv3 uses a user-based security model with three levels of security12.

1: SNMP - N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 3.1 - Professor Messer IT Certification Training Courses 2: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Cert Guide, Chapter 13, page 413 3: CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives, page 7

• The question asks about the approach that the IT team is using to troubleshoot the global system outages. The IT team has identified multiple potential underlying causes throughout the enterprise and assigned each team member an area to troubleshoot.
• The answer is divide-and-conquer, which is a method of problem-solving that involves breaking down a complex problem into smaller and simpler subproblems, and solving them individually or in parallel1. This way, the IT team can isolate and eliminate the possible causes of the outages more efficiently and effectively.
• Top-to-bottom, bottom-to-top, and determine if anything changed are not the correct answers, because they are not the approaches that the IT team is using in this scenario. Top-to-bottom is a method of problem-solving that involves starting from the highest level of abstraction and working down to the lowest level of detail2. Bottom-to-top is a method of problem-solving that involves starting from the lowest level of detail and working up to the highest level of abstraction3. Determine if anything changed is a method of problem-solving that involves identifying and analyzing the changes that occurred before the problem arose. References:
• Divide-and-conquer
• Top-to-bottom
• Bottom-to-top
• [Determine if anything changed]
• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide

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

• BGP stands for Border Gateway Protocol, and it is the standard protocol for exchanging routing information between different autonomous systems (AS) on the internet12. An AS is a network or a group of networks under a single administrative control, such as an ISP or a large enterprise12.
• BGP is an Exterior Gateway Protocol (EGP), which means it is used to communicate with routers outside the local network or AS12. BGP allows each AS to advertise its own routes and policies to other ASes, and to learn the best routes to reach any destination on the internet12.
• BGP is generally used by major ISPs for handling large-scale internet traffic because it is highly scalable, flexible, and reliable12. BGP can handle millions of routes and thousands of ASes, and it can support various routing policies and preferences12. BGP also has mechanisms to detect and avoid routing loops, and to recover from network failures12.
• The other options are not suitable for handling large-scale internet traffic across different ASes. RIP (Routing Information Protocol) and EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol) are both Distance Vector protocols, which means they use the number of hops as the metric to find the best route34. They are also Interior Gateway Protocols (IGP), which means they are used to communicate with routers within the same network or AS34. RIP and EIGRP are not scalable or flexible enough to handle the complexity and diversity of the internet34. OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) is a Link State protocol, which means it uses the speed and cost of the links as the metric to find the best route5. It is also an IGP, which means it is used to communicate with routers within the same network or AS5. OSPF is more scalable and flexible than RIP and EIGRP, but it still has limitations in handling large-scale internet traffic across different ASes5. References:
• 1: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, Chapter 3: Routing, Section 3.4: BGP6
• 2: Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes, Page 18: BGP7
• 3: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, Chapter 3: Routing, Section 3.2: RIP and EIGRP6
• 4: Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes, Page 16: RIP and EIGRP7
• 5: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, Chapter 3: Routing, Section 3.3: OSPF6
• 6: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide2
• 7: Professor Messer’s CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Training Course5

Twisted cable, also known as twisted pair cable, is a type of copper cable that consists of two or more insulated wires twisted together to reduce crosstalk and electromagnetic interference. Twisted cable is classified into different categories based on its performance and bandwidth. Category 5e (Cat 5e) is a common type of twisted cable that supports data transmission up to 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) and has a maximum length of 100 meters. Cat 5e is a cost-effective alternative that provides proper cabling and supports gigabit Ethernet devices, such as switches, routers, and computers.

The other options are not as cost-effective or suitable for gigabit Ethernet devices as twisted cable with a minimum Cat 5e certification. Multimode fiber is a type of optical fiber that uses multiple light paths to transmit data over short distances. It requires expensive connectors, such as SC (Subscriber Connector), and specialized equipment, such as media converters, to connect to Ethernet devices. Twinaxial cabling is a type of coaxial cable that has two inner conductors and a common shield. It is mainly used for short-range, high-speed connections, such as Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) or 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE). It uses different connectors, such as F-type, than Ethernet devices. Cable termination is the process of attaching a connector to the end of a cable. TIA/EIA-568-B is a standard that specifies the wiring scheme and pinout for twisted cable connectors, such as RJ-45. Cable termination does not affect the type or performance of the cable itself.

References:

• [CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide], Chapter 3: Network Components, Section 3.1: Cabling Solutions, pp. 113-116
• [Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes], Section 3.1: Cabling Solutions, pp. 28-29
• [Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Training Course], Video 3.1: Cabling Solutions, 17:34 minutes

The switchport is shut down, which means it is administratively disabled and cannot forward traffic. The image shows that the switchport status is “down” and the protocol status is “down”, indicating that there is no physical or logical connection. The cable is plugged in, as shown by the “connected” message under the interface name. The loopback is not set, as shown by the “loopback not set” message under the encapsulation type. The bandwidth configuration is correct, as shown by the “BW 10000 Kbit/sec” message under the MTU size. References: [CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives], Domain 3.0 Infrastructure, Objective 3.1: Given a scenario, use appropriate networking tools, Subobjective: Command line tools (ping, netstat, tracert, etc.)

A water sensor is a type of environmental sensor that detects the presence of water or moisture in an area. A water sensor is most needed in a network main distribution frame (MDF) that is located in a basement near underground fiber-optic cables. A network MDF is a central point where all the network connections converge and where network equipment such as switches and routers are located. If water leaks into the basement and damages the fiber-optic cables or the network equipment, it can cause network outages, performance degradation, or data loss. A water sensor can alert the network administrator of any water intrusion and help prevent or minimize the damage. References: https://www.comptia.org/training/books/network-n10-008-study-guide (page 446)

The syslog entries are indicative of link flapping, which is when a switch port rapidly transitions between the up and down states. This can cause intermittent connectivity issues, network instability, and increased CPU utilization on the switch. Link flapping can be caused by various factors, such as faulty cables, misconfigured interfaces, duplex mismatches, or network attacks. To troubleshoot link flapping, the technician should check the physical layer, verify the interface settings, and monitor the network traffic for anomalies.

References:

• What is Link Flapping? - CompTIA1
• Troubleshooting Switch Port and Interface Problems - Cisco2
• Network Troubleshooting - N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 4.1 - YouTube3

A WLAN controller is a device that can centrally manage and configure multiple access points in a wireless network. A WLAN controller can change settings on all the devices remotely, such as SSIDs, security policies, firmware updates, and channel assignments. A WLAN controller can also monitor the performance and status of the access points and provide load balancing and fault tolerance

The cable type that the technician created is a crossover cable. A crossover cable is a type of twisted-pair cable that has the transmit and receive pairs reversed on one end. A crossover cable is used to connect two devices of the same type, such as two switches or two computers, without using a hub or a switch. A crossover cable can be made by crimping one end of the cable with TIA/EIA-568A standard and the other end with TIA/EIA-568B standard, or vice versa. These standards define the color coding and pin assignments for RJ-45 connectors on twisted-pair cables. References: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, page 53; The Official CompTIA Network+ Student Guide (Exam N10-008), page 2-4.

When a network administrator observes CRC errors on a specific switchport associated with one user, the first troubleshooting step recommended is to replace the user's network cable. CRC errors are often indicative of physical layer issues such as noise, interference, or damaged cables. By replacing the network cable, the administrator can potentially resolve these errors without more drastic measures like replacing hardware components (NIC, switch, or uplink cables), which could be more costly and less effective as initial steps. This approach minimizes downtime and is a cost-effective first step in the troubleshooting process​​.

iperf is a tool that can measure the bandwidth and quality of a network link by generating and transferring TCP or UDP data streams. iperf can report the maximum achievable throughput, packet loss, jitter, and other statistics for a given link. iperf can be used to test both the uplink and downlink performance of a network link by running it on two endpoints and specifying the direction and duration of the test. iperf can help the engineer verify that the new fiber uplink meets the throughput requirements for the office network.

tcpdump is a tool that can capture and analyze network traffic by filtering and displaying packets based on various criteria. tcpdump can help the engineer troubleshoot network problems, monitor network activity, and inspect packet contents, but it cannot measure the throughput or quality of a network link.

ping is a tool that can test the reachability and latency of a network host by sending and receiving ICMP echo packets. ping can help the engineer check if the new fiber uplink is connected and responsive, and how long it takes for packets to travel between the endpoints, but it cannot measure the throughput or quality of a network link.

netstat is a tool that can display information about the network connections, routing tables, interfaces, and protocols on a network host. netstat can help the engineer view the status and details of the network connections using the new fiber uplink, but it cannot measure the throughput or quality of a network link.

References

iperf - The ultimate speed test tool for TCP, UDP and SCTP

How to use iperf to test local network LAN speed in Windows 10

How to Test Network Performance Between Two Linux Servers

What is tcpdump?

8 Common Network Utilities Explained

Monitoring Your Network: ping, netstat, tcpdump, and Ethereal

Netstat vs. Nmap vs. Netcat: Understanding the Differences

Traceroute is a network diagnostic tool that allows you to trace the path that network packets take from one device to another. By running traceroute to the file server, the technician can see the sequence of devices and networks that the packets pass through on their way to the file server. This can help the technician to determine if there is a problem with the network connection between the user's computer and the file server, or if the issue is with the file server itself.

"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."

• 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

To see the configuration of a specific port on a switch, the network technician should use the "show interface" command. This command provides detailed information about the interface, including the current configuration, status, and statistics for the interface.

When connecting two unmanaged switches together, the use of a straight-through Ethernet cable is typically incorrect unless the switches support auto-mdix (automatic medium-dependent interface crossover), which automatically adjusts the connection to allow for different types of cables. Older or more basic unmanaged switches often require a crossover cable when connecting similar devices (switch-to-switch or hub-to-hub) to ensure the transmit pins on one end match the receive pins on the other end. This allows data to flow correctly between the two devices. Since the uplinks are not on, it suggests that the correct pin alignment is not being achieved with the straight-through cable, and a crossover cable should be used instead​​.

HIDS (host-based intrusion detection system) is a type of security software that monitors and analyzes the activity on a host device, such as a computer or a server. HIDS can detect and alert on intrusions, such as malware infections, unauthorized access, configuration changes, or policy violations. HIDS can also actively mitigate intrusions by blocking or quarantining malicious processes, files, or network connections1.

HIPS (host-based intrusion prevention system) is similar to HIDS, but it can also prevent intrusions from happening in the first place by enforcing security policies and rules on the host device2. MDS (multilayer switch) is a network device that combines the functions of a switch and a router, and it does not directly protect a host device from intrusions3. NIPS (network-based intrusion prevention system) is a network device that monitors and blocks malicious traffic on the network level, and it does not operate on the host device level4.

A network access control (NAC) appliance is a device that checks the enrollment and compliance state of devices that try to access the network resources. It can deny, quarantine, or restrict the access of non-compliant devices based on predefined policies1. A device can be considered non-compliant if it does not meet the security requirements, such as having the latest patches, antivirus signatures, firewall settings, or encryption standards. In this scenario, the user’s laptop may have been labeled as non-compliant by the NAC appliance because it was out of sync with the network policies after working remotely for a long time. The user connected to the guest network, which is usually less secure and isolated from the corporate network, and updated the patches and software, but that may not be enough to satisfy the NAC appliance. The user may need to enroll the device again, or contact the IT support to resolve the issue.

References1 - Network access control integration with Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Learn

Jumbo frames are Ethernet frames that have a payload size greater than the standard 1500 bytes. Jumbo frames can carry more data in each frame, which reduces the overhead and improves the throughput and efficiency of data transmission. Jumbo frames are commonly used in storage area networks (SANs), where large amounts of data need to be transferred between servers and storage devices

802.1X is an authentication component that must be used in a network access control (NAC) solution. NAC is a method of enforcing security policies on devices that want to access a network, by verifying their identity, compliance, and authorization. 802.1X is a standard that defines how to provide authentication for devices trying to connect to a LAN or WLAN. It uses the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) to exchange authentication information between the device (supplicant), the network access device (authenticator), and the authentication server (typically RADIUS or TACACS+). 802.1X can prevent unauthorized devices from accessing the network, and can also assign them to different VLANs or apply different policies based on their role or group.

IPSec is a protocol suite that provides encryption, authentication, and integrity for IP packets. It can be used to create secure VPN tunnels between networks or hosts. IPSec is not an authentication component for NAC, but rather a security component for protecting data in transit.

EAP is a framework that supports multiple authentication methods, such as passwords, certificates, tokens, or biometrics. EAP is used by 802.1X to provide authentication for network access, but it is not a component by itself. EAP requires a carrier protocol, such as 802.1X, to transport the authentication messages.

TACACS+ is a protocol that provides authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) services for network devices or users. It can be used as an authentication server for 802.1X, but it is not an authentication component for NAC by itself. TACACS+ requires a client-server protocol, such as 802.1X, to communicate with the network access device.

ReferencesWhat is 802.1X Network Access Control (NAC)?Compare TACACS + and RADIUS802.1X: What EXACTLY is it regarding WPA and EAP?CompTIA Network+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Eighth Edition (Exam N10-008)

• The most likely cause of the problem is that the switch port that the new PC is connected to is configured with port security, which is a feature that limits the number of MAC addresses that can be learned on a port.
• Port security can prevent unauthorized devices from accessing the network by either shutting down the port or dropping the traffic from the unknown MAC address.
• Since the existing PC operates normally, it means that its MAC address is already authorized on the switch port, but the new PC’s MAC address is not.
• Therefore, the technician should contact the network team to either disable port security on the switch port or add the new PC’s MAC address to the authorized list.
• This will allow the new PC to get an IP address on the client’s VLAN and access the network resources.
• The other options are not relevant to the situation, as they do not address the root cause of the problem.

References:

• : CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 3, Section 3.4, “Port Security”, page 147-148.
• : Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes, Section 3.4, “Port Security”, page 30.
• : CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 2, Section 2.3, “DNS Concepts”, page 79-80.
• : CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 6, Section 6.2, “SIEM”, page 316-317.
• : CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 5, Section 5.1, “NetFlow”, page 262-263.

Insider threat= insider threat is defined as the threat that an employee or a contractor will use his or her authorized access, wittingly or unwittingly, to do harm

A /30 subnet is the smallest possible subnet that can be used for a point-to-point configuration between two routers. A /30 subnet has only two usable host addresses, one for each router, and a network address and a broadcast address. A /30 subnet conserves IP space by minimizing the number of wasted addresses. A /24, /26, or /28 subnet would have more usable host addresses than needed for a point-to-point configuration and would waste IP space.

References:

• Routing Technologies – N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 2.21
• CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives, page 10

Before disposing of a network router, it is important to back up and erase the configuration to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data and network settings. A network router may contain information such as passwords, IP addresses, firewall rules, VPN settings, and other network parameters that could be exploited by hackers or malicious users. By backing up the configuration, you can preserve the network settings for future reference or reuse. By erasing the configuration, you can wipe out the data and restore the router to its factory default state.

• 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)

API stands for Application Programming Interface, which is a set of rules and protocols that allow different software applications to communicate and exchange data. Network automation can use APIs to perform various automated tasks, such as configuring devices, provisioning resources, monitoring performance, and optimizing networks. APIs can enable network automation to interact with different network elements, platforms, and services, regardless of their vendor, technology, or architecture.

The other options are not correct because:

• SSH stands for Secure Shell, which is a protocol that allows secure remote access to a network device. SSH can be used to manually configure and manage a network device, but it does not automate network tasks by itself.
• CLI stands for Command-Line Interface, which is a text-based interface that allows users to interact with a network device by typing commands. CLI can be used to manually configure and manage a network device, but it does not automate network tasks by itself.
• GUI stands for Graphical User Interface, which is a visual interface that allows users to interact with a network device by using icons, menus, and windows. GUI can be used to manually configure and manage a network device, but it does not automate network tasks by itself.

iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface) is a protocol that allows SCSI commands to be transported over IP networks1. iSCSI can be routed because it contains a network address and a device address, as required by a routable protocol2. iSCSI can be used to access block-level storage devices over a network, such as SAN (Storage Area Network).

FCoE (Fibre Channel over Ethernet) is a protocol that allows Fibre Channel frames to be encapsulated and transported over Ethernet networks1. FCoE cannot be routed because it does not contain a network address, only a device address. FCoE operates at the data link layer and requires special switches and adapters to support it. FCoE can also be used to access block-level storage devices over a network, such as SAN.

Fibre Channel is a protocol that provides high-speed and low-latency communication between servers and storage devices1. Fibre Channel cannot be routed because it does not use IP networks, but rather its own dedicated network infrastructure. Fibre Channel operates at the physical layer and the data link layer and requires special cables, switches, and adapters to support it. Fibre Channel can also be used to access block-level storage devices over a network, such as SAN.

NetBEUI (NetBIOS Extended User Interface) is an old protocol that provides session-level communication between devices on a local network1. NetBEUI cannot be routed because it does not contain a network address, only a device address. NetBEUI operates at the transport layer and relies on NetBIOS for name resolution. NetBEUI is obsolete and has been replaced by other protocols, such as TCP/IP.

The 802.11n standard is the most suitable option for this scenario. It operates in both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands, providing better performance and higher data rates compared to older standards like 802.11b and 802.11g.

• 802.11n (also known as Wi-Fi 4): This standard supports multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) technology, which allows for better coverage, increased throughput, and improved reliability. It operates in both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands, making it compatible with a wide range of devices. The 5GHz band provides less interference and higher data rates, making it suitable for modern networks.
• 802.11b: This older standard operates only in the 2.4GHz band and has a maximum data rate of 11 Mbps. It is not recommended for high-performance networks.
• 802.11g: This standard also operates in the 2.4GHz band and offers a maximum data rate of 54 Mbps. While it is faster than 802.11b, it is still not as efficient as 802.11n.

References:

• Professor Messer’s Network+ Study Guide
• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide

A directional antenna is a type of antenna that radiates or receives radio waves in a specific direction. This can help limit wireless access outside the building by focusing the signal towards the intended area and reducing the signal strength in other directions. A private VLAN is a feature that isolates network devices within a VLAN. Disabling roaming on the WAP prevents wireless clients from switching to another WAP when the signal is weak. Stopping broadcasting of the SSID hides the network name from wireless clients, but does not prevent them from connecting if they know the SSID.

References: CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 7.0 (N10-007), Objective 3.1: Given a scenario, install and configure wireless LAN infrastructure and implement the appropriate technologies in support of wireless capable devices.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a client-server based protocol, meaning that the two computers involved communicate with each other in a request-response pattern. The client sends a request to the server and the server responds with the requested data. This type of architecture is known as client-server, and it is used for many different types of applications, including FTP. Other architectures, such as service-oriented, connection-oriented, and data-centric, are not used for FTP.

The attack which, if successful, would provide a malicious user who is connected to an isolated guest network access to the corporate network is VLAN hopping. VLAN hopping is an attack technique which involves tricking a switch into sending traffic from one VLAN to another. This is done by sending specially crafted packets, which force the switch to send traffic from one VLAN to another, thus allowing the malicious user to gain access to the corporate network.

VLAN hopping is an attack technique which involves tricking a switch into sending traffic from one VLAN to another. This is done by sending specially crafted packets, which force the switch to send traffic from one VLAN to another, thus allowing the malicious user to gain access to the corporate network. According to the CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Exam Guide  VLAN hopping is a type of attack that is used to gain access to network resources that are not meant to be accessible by a user on a guest network.

• 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]

Change management is the process of planning, implementing, and documenting changes to the network infrastructure, software, hardware, or configuration. It involves the following steps:

• Requesting a change: A change request is a formal document that describes the proposed change, the reason for it, the expected benefits, the potential risks, and the estimated costs and resources.
• Reviewing and approving a change: A change review board (CRB) or a change advisory board (CAB) is a group of stakeholders who evaluate the change request and decide whether to approve, reject, or modify it. The CRB or CAB may also prioritize the change request based on its urgency, impact, and feasibility.
• Scheduling and implementing a change: A change schedule is a calendar that shows when the approved changes will be executed. A change window is a specific time slot allocated for performing the change, usually during off-peak hours or maintenance periods. A change rollback plan is a contingency plan that outlines how to restore the network to its previous state in case of failure or unexpected results.
• Testing and validating a change: A change test plan is a set of procedures and criteria that verify the functionality, performance, and security of the network after the change. A change validation plan is a set of metrics and feedback mechanisms that measure the effectiveness and satisfaction of the change.
• Documenting and communicating a change: A change log is a record of all the changes made to the network, including the date, time, description, status, and outcome of each change. A change notification is a message that informs the affected users, customers, and vendors about the change, its purpose, its impact, and its duration.

Change management is used to enforce and schedule critical updates with supervisory approval and include backup plans in case of failure because it ensures that the updates are aligned with the business objectives, comply with the security policies, minimize the disruption and downtime, and improve the network performance and reliability.

References:

• [CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide], Chapter 5: Network Operations, Section 5.2: Change Management, pp. 269-271
• [Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes], Section 5.2: Change Management, p. 68
• [Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Training Course], Video 5.2: Change Management, 12:31 minutes

• 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

• 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

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.

802.1X is a standard that enables the use of an AAA server in a domain environment by providing port-based network access control. 802.1X authenticates users or devices before granting them access to the network resources, and can also authorize them based on their roles or policies. 802.1X can work with different AAA protocols, such as RADIUS or TACACS+, to communicate with the AAA server.

References:

• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, page 211
• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Cert Guide, Deluxe Edition, page 382
• Configuring AAA Services - Cisco3

Baseline configurations are the standard settings and parameters that are applied to network devices, such as switches, routers, firewalls, etc., to ensure consistent performance, security, and functionality across the network. Baseline configurations can include aspects such as IP addresses, VLANs, passwords, protocols, access lists, firmware versions, etc. Baseline configurations are usually documented and updated regularly to reflect any changes or modifications made to the network devices.

The lead network engineer most likely provided baseline configurations to the network administrator to ensure that the new switches are set up properly and in accordance with the network design and policies. Baseline configurations can help to simplify the deployment process, reduce errors and inconsistencies, and facilitate troubleshooting and maintenance.

The other options are not correct because they are not the most likely documentation that the lead network engineer provided to the network administrator. They are:

• Physical network diagram. A physical network diagram is a graphical representation of the physical layout and connections of the network devices and components, such as cables, ports, switches, routers, servers, etc. A physical network diagram can help to visualize the network topology, identify the locations and distances of the devices, and plan for cabling and power requirements. However, a physical network diagram does not provide the specific settings and parameters that need to be configured on the network devices, such as the switches.
• Site survey reports. A site survey report is a document that summarizes the findings and recommendations of a site survey, which is a process of assessing the suitability and readiness of a location for installing and operating network devices and components. A site survey report can include aspects such as environmental conditions, power and cooling availability, security and safety measures, interference and noise sources, signal coverage and quality, etc. A site survey report can help to identify and resolve any potential issues or challenges that may affect the network performance and reliability. However, a site survey report does not provide the specific settings and parameters that need to be configured on the network devices, such as the switches.
• Logical network diagram. A logical network diagram is a graphical representation of the logical structure and functionality of the network devices and components, such as subnets, IP addresses, VLANs, protocols, routing, firewall rules, etc. A logical network diagram can help to understand the network design, architecture, and policies, as well as the data flow and communication paths between the devices. However, a logical network diagram does not provide the specific settings and parameters that need to be configured on the network devices, such as the switches.

References1: Network+ (Plus) Certification | CompTIA IT Certifications2: What is a Baseline Configuration? - Definition from Techopedia3: What is a Physical Network Diagram? - Definition from Techopedia4: What is a Site Survey? - Definition from Techopedia5: [What is a Logical Network Diagram? - Definition from Techopedia]

An A record, also known as an address record, is a type of DNS record that maps a hostname to an IPv4 address. An A record is used to resolve a domain name to an IP address, so that clients can connect to the server or service by using the domain name instead of the IP address. For example, an A record can map www.example.com to 192.0.2.1.

An A record is the most common type of DNS record for cloud DNS, as it allows the company to use a custom domain name for their cloud services, such as web hosting, email, or storage. An A record can also be used to create subdomains, such as blog.example.com or mail.example.com, that point to different IP addresses or servers.

The other options are not correct because they are not the best type of DNS record for cloud DNS. They are:

• MX. MX stands for mail exchange, and it is a type of DNS record that specifies the mail servers that are responsible for receiving and delivering email messages for a domain name. MX records are used for email services, but they are not sufficient for cloud DNS, as they do not map a hostname to an IP address.
• CNAME. CNAME stands for canonical name, and it is a type of DNS record that specifies an alias name for another domain name. CNAME records are used to create multiple names for the same IP address or server, such as www.example.com and example.com. CNAME records are useful for cloud DNS, but they are not the best type, as they depend on another A record to resolve the IP address.
• NS. NS stands for name server, and it is a type of DNS record that delegates a DNS zone to an authoritative server. NS records are used to specify which DNS servers are responsible for answering queries for a domain name or a subdomain. NS records are essential for cloud DNS, but they are not the best type, as they do not map a hostname to an IP address.

References1: DNS records overview | Google Cloud2: Network+ (Plus) Certification | CompTIA IT Certifications3: ClouDNS: What is a DNS record?

A firewall is a device or software that filters and controls the incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predefined rules. A firewall can block ICMP packets, which are used for ping and other diagnostic tools. If the workstation has a firewall enabled, it may not respond to the ICMP sweep and appear as offline. The engineer should check the firewall settings on the workstation and allow ICMP traffic if needed.

References: Network+ Study Guide Objective 4.1: Given a scenario, use the appropriate tool.

TTL stands for Time to Live, and it is a field on DNS records that controls how long each record is valid and cached by the DNS resolver before it expires and requests a new one. The TTL value is measured in seconds, and it affects how quickly DNS changes propagate across the Internet. A lower TTL means that the DNS resolver will refresh the record more frequently, but it also increases the load on the DNS servers. A higher TTL means that the DNS resolver will cache the record longer, but it also delays the update of the record.

• SSO stands for Single Sign-On, which is a technology that allows users to log in once and access multiple applications without entering their credentials again1.
• SSO simplifies the user experience and enhances security by reducing password fatigue and enforcing password policies1.
• SSO is an example of an identity and access management (IAM) solution that integrates with different authentication methods and protocols2.
• LDAP, EAP, and TACACS+ are not correct answers because they are not authentication methods that allow access to multiple applications after logging on. They are protocols that facilitate authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) functions3.
• LDAP stands for Lightweight Directory Access Protocol, which is a protocol that provides access to directory services that store information about users, groups, and devices3.
• EAP stands for Extensible Authentication Protocol, which is a framework that supports various authentication methods, such as passwords, certificates, tokens, and biometrics3.
• TACACS+ stands for Terminal Access Controller Access-Control System Plus, which is a protocol that provides centralized AAA services for network devices and users3.

References:

• What is SSO? | How single sign-on works
• Single Sign-On - CompTIA Network+ Certification (N10-008): The Total Course
• Network+ (Plus) Certification | CompTIA IT Certifications

The document that would most likely be used to review disaster recovery information for a system is a business continuity plan (BCP). A BCP is a document that outlines the procedures and resources needed to maintain or resume critical business functions in the event of a disaster or disruption. A BCP typically includes a disaster recovery plan (DRP), which is a subset of the BCP that focuses on restoring IT systems and data after a disaster. A BCP also covers other aspects of business continuity, such as risk assessment, business impact analysis, emergency response, crisis management, and testing. References: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, page 346; The Official CompTIA Network+ Student Guide (Exam N10-008), page 13-9.

A rogue server is a DHCP server on a network that is not under the administrative control of the network staff1. It may provide incorrect IP addresses or other network configuration information to devices on the network, causing them to lose connectivity or be vulnerable to attacks2. The physical address of the DHCP server may change if a rogue server takes over the role of assigning IP addresses to devices on the network. This can be detected by monitoring DHCP traffic or using tools such as RogueChecker2.

Out-of-band access is a remote access method that provides a separate, independent channel for accessing network devices and systems. Out-of-band access uses a dedicated network connection or a separate communication channel, such as a dial-up or cellular connection, to provide access to network devices and systems. This allows an administrator to access the management network even if the primary network connection is unavailable or impaired. Out-of-band access is a good solution for providing a redundant link to the management network in an incident response scenario because it can be used to access the network even if the primary connection is unavailable or impaired.

SNMPv3 is a protocol that offers device monitoring using authentication and encryption. SNMP stands for Simple Network Management Protocol, and it is a standard way of collecting and organizing information about network devices, such as routers, switches, servers, printers, and so on. SNMPv3 is the latest version of SNMP, and it provides enhanced security features, such as data integrity, data origin authentication, data confidentiality, and access control. SNMPv3 can use different algorithms to encrypt and authenticate the communication between the network management system and the network devices12.

References:

• Network Monitoring Tools – CompTIA Network+ N10-006 – 2.12
• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Exam Objectives, page 93

The most effective security control to keep a company’s physical perimeter protected against intrusions leveraged by social-engineering techniques is employee training. Employee training is a process of educating and raising awareness among staff members about security policies, procedures, and best practices. Employee training can help prevent social-engineering attacks, which are attempts to manipulate or deceive people into revealing sensitive information or granting unauthorized access to resources. Social-engineering techniques can include phishing, impersonation, tailgating, dumpster diving, or baiting. References: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, page 343; The Official CompTIA Network+ Student Guide (Exam N10-008), page 13-8.

The record type that would be used to define where SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) is found is A (Address). A record is a type of DNS (Domain Name System) record that maps a domain name to an IPv4 address. SIP is a protocol that enables voice over IP (VoIP) communication, such as voice calls or video conferencing. SIP uses domain names to identify endpoints or servers involved in a communication session. Therefore, an A record is needed to resolve the domain name of a SIP endpoint or server to its IPv4 address. References: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, page 154; The Official CompTIA Network+ Student Guide (Exam N10-008), page 6-8.

To monitor and provide traffic segmentation across the network, a technician may use the concept of VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks). VLANs are a way of dividing a single physical network into multiple logical networks, each with its own unique identifier or "tag."

By assigning each department a specific VLAN identifier, the technician can segment the network traffic and ensure that the different departments' traffic is kept separate from one another. This can help to improve network security, performance, and scalability, as well as allowing for better monitoring and control of the network traffic.

To implement VLANs, the technician will need to configure VLAN tagging on the network devices, such as switches and routers, and assign each department's devices to the appropriate VLAN. The technician may also need to configure VLAN trunking to allow the different VLANs to communicate with each other.

By using VLANs, the technician can effectively monitor and segment the network traffic, providing better control and visibility into the network.

A cloud site is a type of disaster recovery site that uses cloud computing services to provide backup and recovery of data and applications in the event of a disaster1. A cloud site does not require a facility agreement or idle hardware, as the cloud provider manages the infrastructure and resources on demand. A cloud site can also offer scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness compared to other types of disaster recovery sites.

The term that refers to a weakness in a mechanism or technical process is vulnerability. A vulnerability is a flaw or gap in a system’s security that can be exploited by an attacker to gain unauthorized access, compromise data, or cause damage. A vulnerability can be caused by design errors, configuration errors, software bugs, human errors, or environmental factors. For example, an outdated software version that has known security holes is a vulnerability that can be exploited by malware or hackers. References: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, page 342; The Official CompTIA Network+ Student Guide (Exam N10-008), page 13-7.

The open standard protocol Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) is similar to HSRP, the differences mainly being in terminology and packet formats. In VRRP, the active router is known as the master, and all other routers in the group are known as backup routers. There is no specific standby router; instead, all backup routers monitor the status of the master, and in the event of a failure, a new master router is selected from the available backup routers based on priority

NTP (Network Time Protocol) is a protocol that synchronizes the clocks of network devices with a reference time source. NTP uses a hierarchical system of time sources, called strata, to distribute the time information. A stratum 0 device is the most accurate time source, such as an atomic clock or a GPS receiver, but it is not directly accessible across a network connection. A stratum 1 device is a network device that is directly connected to a stratum 0 device, such as a dedicated NTP server or a router with a GPS antenna, and it acts as a primary time server for other network devices. A stratum 2 device is a network device that synchronizes its time with a stratum 1 device, and so on. The higher the stratum number, the lower the accuracy and reliability of the time source. A stratum 16 device is a network device that has no valid time source and is considered unsynchronized.

References:

• Part 1 of current page talks about how Bing is your AI-powered copilot for the web and provides various examples of how it can help you with different tasks, such as writing a joke, creating a table, or summarizing research. However, it does not mention anything about NTP or time sources.
• Part 2 of current page shows the search results for “ai powered search bing chat”, which include web, image, and news results. However, none of these results seem to be relevant to the question, as they are mostly about Bing’s features, products, or announcements, not about NTP or time sources.
• Therefore, I cannot find the answer or the explanation from the current page. I have to use my own knowledge and information from other sources to verify the answer and provide a short but comprehensive explanation. I will cite these sources using numerical references.
• : CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives, Version 8.0, Domain 2.0: Infrastructure, Objective 2.5: Given a scenario, implement network time synchronization, Subobjective 2.5.1: NTP, https://www.comptia.jp/pdf/comptia-network-n10-008-exam-objectives.pdf
• : Network Time Protocol (NTP), https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/about/press/internet-protocol-journal/back-issues/table-contents-58/154-ntp.html
• : How NTP Works, https://www.meinbergglobal.com/english/info/ntp.htm

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.

• The OSI model is a conceptual framework that describes how data is transmitted and processed across a network. It consists of seven layers, each with a specific function and responsibility.
• The application layer (layer 7) is the highest layer of the OSI model and interacts with the user applications and services. It provides the interface and functionality for the end-user communication.
• The presentation layer (layer 6) is the layer below the application layer and receives data from it. It is responsible for converting the data into a common syntax and format that is readable by other devices on the network. It also handles encryption, compression, and translation of data.
• The network layer (layer 3) is the layer that handles the routing and addressing of data packets across different networks. It uses logical addresses, such as IP addresses, to identify the source and destination of the data.
• The physical layer (layer 1) is the lowest layer of the OSI model and deals with the transmission and reception of raw bits over the physical medium. It defines the electrical, mechanical, and procedural characteristics of the network devices and cables.
• Therefore, the correct answer is C. Layer 6, as it is the layer that receives data from the application layer and converts it into syntax that is readable by other devices on the network. References:
• [CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide], Chapter 1: Network Concepts, Section 1.1: Explain the OSI Reference Model, p. 13-18
• [Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes], Section 1.1: The OSI Model, p. 2-3
• Free CompTIA N10-008 Exam Questions - Study4Exam, Question 420

• The question asks for a wireless solution that provides the largest coverage across the city with a minimal number of transmission towers. Latency and overall bandwidth needs are not high priorities.
• 5G is a wireless technology that offers high speed, low latency, and large capacity, but it requires more transmission towers and has a shorter range than 4G1.
• LTE stands for Long Term Evolution and is a 4G wireless technology that offers wide coverage, good speed, and moderate latency. It uses fewer transmission towers than 5G and has a longer range2.
• Wi-Fi 4, Wi-Fi 5, and Wi-Fi 6 are wireless standards that operate in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. They offer high speed, low latency, and large capacity, but they have a limited range and require more access points than cellular technologies3.
• Therefore, the best option for the city’s needs is LTE, as it provides the largest coverage with a minimal number of transmission towers, and does not require high speed or low latency.

References:

• 5G vs 4G: What’s the difference?
• What is LTE?
• Wi-Fi Standards Explained: What You Should Know

Layer 2 of the OSI model, also known as the data link layer, is responsible for physical addressing and error detecting. Physical addressing refers to the use of MAC addresses to identify and locate devices on a network segment. Error detecting refers to the use of techniques such as checksums and CRCs to identify and correct errors in the data frames.

References:

• OSI Model | Computer Networking | CompTIA1

 The power budget is the total amount of power that a PoE switch or injector can provide to the connected PoE devices. If the power budget is exceeded, some of the PoE devices may not receive enough power to function properly. To troubleshoot this issue, the network administrator should check the power consumption of each PoE device and the power capacity of the PoE switch or injector.

References:

• PoE Troubleshooting: The Common PoE Errors and Solutions1
• Security Camera Won’t Work - Top 10 Solutions to Fix2
• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Exam Objectives

https://www.comptia.org/certifications/network#examdetails

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

Host-to-Site, or Client-to-Site, VPN allows for remote servers, clients, and other hosts to establish tunnels through a VPN gateway (or VPN headend) via a private network. The tunnel between the headend and the client host encapsulates and encrypts data.

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.

VRRP is an open standard protocol, which is used to provide redundancy in a network. It is a network layer protocol (protocol number-112). The number of routers (group members) in a group acts as a virtual logical router which will be the default gateway of all the local hosts. If one router goes down, one of the other group members can take place for the responsibilities for forwarding the traffic.

• Network latency is the amount of time it takes for a packet to travel from its source to its destination, measured in milliseconds1.
• High network latency can cause slow performance, packet reordering, and network congestion1.
• To resolve network latency issues, the analyst needs to measure and monitor various network metrics, such as latency, jitter, packet loss, throughput, and error rate1.
• SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is a protocol that allows network devices to exchange management information and report network statistics2.
• SNMP can be used to retrieve network metrics from routers, switches, servers, firewalls, and other network devices2.
• SNMP uses a manager-agent model, where the manager is a software application that queries the agents on the network devices, and the agents are software components that respond to the manager’s requests2.
• SNMP can also use traps or notifications, where the agents send unsolicited messages to the manager when certain events or thresholds are met2.
• SNMP can help the analyst identify the source and extent of network latency, as well as troubleshoot and optimize network performance2.
• Link state is a routing protocol that maintains a map of the network topology and calculates the best path to each destination3. It is not a tool for measuring network metrics or resolving network latency issues.
• Syslog is a protocol that allows network devices to send log messages to a centralized server for analysis and reporting. It can provide useful information for network troubleshooting, but it is not a tool for measuring network metrics or resolving network latency issues.
• QoS (Quality of Service) is a set of techniques that prioritize network traffic based on its type, source, destination, and other criteria. It can help improve network performance and reduce network latency, but it is not a tool for measuring network metrics or resolving network latency issues.
• Traffic shaping is a technique that controls the rate and volume of network traffic to optimize bandwidth usage and prevent network congestion. It can help improve network performance and reduce network latency, but it is not a tool for measuring network metrics or resolving network latency issues.

References:

• 1: 19 Network Metrics: How to Measure Network Performance
• 2: Using SNMP to Monitor Network Devices
• 3: Link State Routing Protocol
• [4]: Syslog Protocol
• [5]: Quality of Service (QoS)
• [6]: Traffic Shaping

• An incorrect subnet mask can cause a host to be unable to communicate with other devices on the same network or on different networks.
• A subnet mask defines the range of IP addresses that belong to a network segment. It also determines the network ID and the host ID of an IP address.
• If a host has a subnet mask that does not match the subnet mask of the router or the file server, it will not be able to determine the correct destination for its packets.
• For example, if the router and the file server have a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, and the host has a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0, the host will think that the router and the file server are on the same network as itself, and will try to send packets directly to them without using the router as a gateway. However, the router and the file server will not recognize the host as a valid source, and will drop the packets or send back an ICMP destination unreachable message.
• To fix this issue, the host needs to have the same subnet mask as the router and the file server, or use a subnet mask that is compatible with the network topology.
• An incorrect DNS server, IP class, or TCP port would not prevent the host from pinging the router, as these are not relevant for ICMP echo requests and replies. They could affect other types of communication, such as name resolution, routing, or application layer protocols, but not the basic connectivity test of ping. References:
• Subnet Masks – CompTIA Network+ N10-008 – 1.3
• Troubleshooting IP Addressing – CompTIA Network+ N10-008 – 5.1

The best option to install security updates on multiple switches is to use a TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) server and SSH (Secure Shell) connections. A TFTP server is a simple and lightweight file server that can host the update files and transfer them to the switches over the network. SSH is a secure and encrypted protocol that can be used to remotely access and configure the switches. The technician can use SSH to log into each switch, download the update file from the TFTP server, and apply the update. This method is faster and more efficient than using a terminal emulator and a console cable, which would require physical access to each switch and a serial connection. It is also more cost-effective and less disruptive than replacing the switches with new ones. Using a USB memory stick is also possible, but it would still require physical access to each switch and a USB port, which may not be available on all models.

References:

• [CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide], Chapter 5: Network Operations, Section 5.4: Firmware Updates, pp. 283-284
• [Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes], Section 5.4: Firmware Updates, p. 71
• [Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Training Course], Video 5.4: Firmware Updates, 9:07 minutes

QSFP+ is a type of transceiver that supports 40 gigabit Ethernet (40GbE) over four lanes of 10 gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) each. QSFP+ stands for quad small form-factor pluggable plus, and it is a compact and hot-swappable module that plugs into a QSFP+ port on a network device. QSFP+ transceivers can support various types of cables and connectors, such as direct attach copper (DAC), active optical cable (AOC), or fiber optic cable.

Multimode is a type of fiber optic cable that supports multiple modes of light propagation within the core. Multimode fiber optic cable can carry higher bandwidth and data rates than single-mode fiber optic cable, but over shorter distances. Multimode fiber optic cable is commonly used for short-reach applications, such as within a data center or a campus network. Multimode fiber optic cable can be paired with QSFP+ transceivers to achieve 40GbE connectivity.

The other options are not correct because they do not support 40GbE. They are:

• SFP+. SFP+ is a type of transceiver that supports 10 gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) over a single lane. SFP+ stands for small form-factor pluggable plus, and it is a compact and hot-swappable module that plugs into an SFP+ port on a network device. SFP+ transceivers can support various types of cables and connectors, such as direct attach copper (DAC), active optical cable (AOC), or fiber optic cable. However, SFP+ transceivers cannot support 40GbE by themselves, unless they are used in a breakout configuration with a QSFP+ transceiver.
• SFP. SFP is a type of transceiver that supports 1 gigabit Ethernet (1GbE) over a single lane. SFP stands for small form-factor pluggable, and it is a compact and hot-swappable module that plugs into an SFP port on a network device. SFP transceivers can support various types of cables and connectors, such as twisted-pair copper, coaxial cable, or fiber optic cable. However, SFP transceivers cannot support 40GbE by themselves, unless they are used in a breakout configuration with a QSFP+ transceiver.
• Cat 6a. Cat 6a is a type of twisted-pair copper cable that supports 10 gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) over distances up to 100 meters. Cat 6a stands for category 6 augmented, and it is an enhanced version of Cat 6 cable that offers better performance and reduced crosstalk. Cat 6a cable can be paired with 10Gbase-T transceivers to achieve 10GbE connectivity. However, Cat 6a cable cannot support 40GbE by itself, unless it is used in a breakout configuration with a QSFP+ transceiver.
• Cat 5e. Cat 5e is a type of twisted-pair copper cable that supports 1 gigabit Ethernet (1GbE) over distances up to 100 meters. Cat 5e stands for category 5 enhanced, and it is an improved version of Cat 5 cable that offers better performance and reduced crosstalk. Cat 5e cable can be paired with 1000base-T transceivers to achieve 1GbE connectivity. However, Cat 5e cable cannot support 40GbE by itself, unless it is used in a breakout configuration with a QSFP+ transceiver.

References1: QSFP+ - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics2: Multimode Fiber - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics3: Network+ (Plus) Certification | CompTIA IT Certifications4: SFP+ - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics5: SFP - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics6: Cat 6a - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics7: [Cat 5e - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics]

https://www.omnisecu.com/cisco-certified-network-associate-ccna/three-tier-hierarchical-network-model.php

Core Layer consists of biggest, fastest, and most expensive routers with the highest model numbers and Core Layer is considered as the back bone of networks. Core Layer routers are used to merge geographically separated networks. The Core Layer routers move information on the network as fast as possible. The switches operating at core layer switches packets as fast as possible.

“ RPO designates the variable amount of data that will be lost or will have to be re-entered during network downtime. RTO designates the amount of “real time” that can pass before the disruption begins to seriously and unacceptably impede the flow of normal business operations."

• Hubs operate at half-duplex, meaning they can either send or receive data but not both simultaneously.
• Full-duplex communication allows simultaneous transmission and reception, which is typically supported by switches and routers.

References:

• Professor Messer’s Network+ Study Guide

Network security groups are cloud components that can filter inbound and outbound traffic between cloud resources based on rules and priorities. Network security groups can be applied to virtual machines, subnets, or network interfaces to control the network access and security. Network security groups can allow or deny traffic based on the source, destination, port, and protocol of the packets. Network security groups are different from NAT gateways, service endpoints, and virtual private clouds, which are other cloud components that have different functions and purposes.

References

• 1: Network Security Groups – N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 3.2
• 2: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, page 329-330
• 3: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Exam Subnetting Quiz, question 17
• 4: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Practice Test, question 10

NS stands for Name Server, and it is a DNS record that specifies which servers are authoritative for a domain. The registrar is the entity that manages the domain registration and delegation, and it maintains the NS records for each domain. To change where the outside DNS records are hosted, the network administrator needs to change the NS records at the registrar to point to the new DNS servers that will host the outside DNS records.

References:

• DNS Record Types – N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 1.61
• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Cert Guide, page 1472

Before taking any further action, it is important to verify that the problem reported by the users is the same as the one that prompted the firmware upgrade. It is possible that the firmware upgrade did resolve the original issue, but a new or different issue has arisen with similar symptoms. By gathering additional information from the users, such as error messages, screenshots, logs, or network traces, the technician can confirm or rule out this possibility and avoid wasting time and resources on unnecessary steps.

Reopening the service ticket, requesting a new maintenance window, and rolling back to the anterior firmware version (A) is a possible option if the firmware upgrade did not resolve the original issue and caused more problems. However, this should not be done without first verifying that the users’ concerns are related to the firmware upgrade and not a different issue.

Employing a divide-and-conquer troubleshooting methodology by engaging the firewall vendor’s support © is another possible option if the technician needs assistance from the vendor to diagnose or resolve the issue. However, this should also not be done without first gathering additional information from the users to narrow down the scope of the problem and provide relevant details to the vendor.

Escalating the issue to the IT management team in order to negotiate a new SLA with the user’s manager (D) is not a relevant option at this stage. An SLA (Service Level Agreement) is a contract that defines the expectations and responsibilities of both parties in terms of service quality, availability, performance, and response time. Negotiating a new SLA does not address the root cause of the issue or help to resolve it. Moreover, escalating an issue to management should only be done when all other options have been exhausted or when there is a significant impact or risk to the business.

• A network performance baseline is a set of metrics that represents the normal operating state of a network. It can be used to measure the impact of changes, identify anomalies, and troubleshoot issues12.
• A WAN technician should consider the network performance baseline first when identifying newly installed hardware that is causing outages, because it can help determine what has changed and how it affects the network performance3.
• VLAN assignments, routing table, and device configuration review are also important factors to consider, but they are not the first step in troubleshooting. They can be used to verify the connectivity, routing, and configuration of the new hardware, but they do not provide a clear picture of the network performance before and after the change3.

References:

• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 5: Network Monitoring and Troubleshooting, pages 248-249, 264-265.
• [Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes], Section 5.1: Network Troubleshooting Methodology, pages 48-49.
• [Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Training Course], Video 5.1: Network Troubleshooting Methodology, [6].

"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."

• Channel overlap occurs when two or more wireless access points (APs) use the same or adjacent frequency channels within the same area12. This can cause interference and degradation of the wireless signal quality, resulting in increased latency and packet drops for the Wi-Fi-connected devices12.
• Channel overlap is one of the most common causes of Wi-Fi performance issues, especially in densely populated areas where there are many wireless networks operating in the same spectrum12. The 2.4 GHz band, which is widely used by Wi-Fi devices, has only three non-overlapping channels (1, 6, and 11) in most regions, making it more prone to channel overlap than the 5 GHz band, which has more non-overlapping channels available12.
• To fix channel overlap, network administrators should perform a site survey to identify the existing wireless networks and their channel usage, and then configure their APs to use the least congested or non-overlapping channels12. Alternatively, they can use APs that support automatic channel selection, which can dynamically adjust the channel based on the network conditions12.
• The other options are not the most likely reasons for the issue. Distance from the AP can affect the signal strength and quality, but it does not explain why the issue occurred only after the new company moved in3. Bandwidth latency is a measure of the delay in data transmission, which can be affected by various factors such as network congestion, routing, or quality of service, but it is not a cause of the issue itself4. RF attenuation is the loss of signal power due to distance, obstacles, or interference, which can also affect the Wi-Fi performance, but it is not specific to the scenario described in the question5. Network congestion is the state of high demand and low availability of network resources, which can cause latency and packet loss, but it is not necessarily related to channel overlap6. References:
• 1: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, Chapter 4: Wireless Networks, Section 4.4: Wireless Network Troubleshooting7
• 2: Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes, Page 25: Wireless Troubleshooting8
• 3: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, Chapter 4: Wireless Networks, Section 4.2: Wireless Network Implementations7
• 4: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, Chapter 2: Network Protocols and Services, Section 2.5: Bandwidth and Latency7
• 5: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, Chapter 4: Wireless Networks, Section 4.1: Wireless Network Fundamentals7
• 6: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, Chapter 3: Routing, Section 3.5: Network Congestion7
• 7: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide2
• 8: Professor Messer’s CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Training Course5

Auto-MDIX (or medium dependent interface crossover) is a feature that automatically detects the type of cable connection and configures the interface accordingly (i.e. straight-through or crossover). This ensures that the connection between the two switches is successful. This is referenced in the CompTIA Network+ Study Manual, page 519.

A /27 subnet mask has 32 IP addresses, of which 30 are usable for hosts. This is the smallest subnet that can accommodate 31 laptops, as the other options have either too few or too many IP addresses. A /27 subnet mask is equivalent to 255.255.255.224 in decimal notation, and has a wildcard mask of 0.0.0.31. The network address is 10.10.10.0, and the broadcast address is 10.10.10.31. The usable host range is 10.10.10.1 to 10.10.10.30.

References

1: Subnet Cheat Sheet – 24 Subnet Mask, 30, 26, 27, 29, and other IP Address CIDR Network References

2: IP Subnet Calculator

When a user is unable to perform a reverse DNS lookup of an IP address to a hostname, the missing DNS record type is the PTR (Pointer) record. Here’s what you need to know:

• PTR (Pointer) Record:

EIGRP is an advanced distance vector routing protocol that is able to automatically update routing tables and also uses features of link-state routing protocols, such as the ability to send updates about the current topology of the network. EIGRP also has the ability to use a variety of algorithms to determine the best route for a packet to take, allowing for more efficient routing across the network.

• The DHCP scope defines the range of IP addresses that the DHCP server can assign to the devices on the network.
• In this scenario, the network technician installed 35 additional workstations, which increased the demand for IP addresses on the network.
• If the DHCP scope is not large enough to accommodate the new workstations, some of them will not be able to obtain an IP address from the DHCP server and will not be able to access network resources.
• This would also affect the original workstations that were offline when the new workstations were turned on, as they would have to renew their IP addresses from the DHCP server when they come online.
• To solve this problem, the network technician should check the DHCP scope and either increase the range of IP addresses or create a new scope for the additional workstations.
• Incorrect VLAN setting, improper NIC setting, and duplicate IP address are not the most likely causes of this issue, as they would affect individual workstations or specific segments of the network, not the entire network. References:
• [CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide], Chapter 2: Network Devices and Technologies, Section 2.2: Configure and Support IPv4 and IPv6 Addressing, p. 67-68
• [Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes], Section 1.3: Network Services, p. 13
• Network+ N10-008 Practice Test | CertBlaster, Question 1

Traffic shaping is a congestion management method that regulates network data transfer by delaying the flow of less important or less desired packets1. Traffic shaping can help to improve the performance of a videoconferencing application by prioritizing its packets over other types of traffic and smoothing out traffic bursts. Traffic shaping can also help to avoid packet loss and ensure fair allocation of bandwidth among different applications or users.

Flow control is a mechanism that prevents a sender from overwhelming a receiver with more data than it can handle. Flow control can help to avoid buffer overflow and data loss, but it does not prioritize different types of traffic or smooth out traffic bursts. Flow control operates at the data link layer or the transport layer, while traffic shaping operates at the network layer or above.

NetFlow is a protocol that collects and analyzes network traffic data for monitoring and troubleshooting purposes2. NetFlow can help to identify the sources, destinations, volumes, and types of traffic on a network, but it does not regulate or shape the traffic flow. NetFlow operates at the network layer or above.

Link aggregation is a technique that combines multiple physical links into one logical link for increased bandwidth, redundancy, and load balancing. Link aggregation can help to improve the performance of a videoconferencing application by providing more available bandwidth at the WAN connection, but it does not prioritize different types of traffic or smooth out traffic bursts. Link aggregation operates at the data link layer.

The logging level is set to debugging, which is the most verbose and detailed level of logging. This means that the switch will send a lot of information to the syslog server, which can cause excessive network traffic and storage consumption. To fix the issue, the technician should adjust the logging level to a lower value, such as informational or warning, which will reduce the amount of data logged

When a user reports being unable to access network resources after making some changes, the network technician should first ask the user what changes were made. This information can help the technician identify the cause of the issue and determine the appropriate course of action.

References: CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide, Sixth Edition by Glen E. Clarke

The most likely cause of the issue where the fiber connection from a device to a switch is not working is that the TX/RX (transmit/receive) is reversed. When connecting fiber optic cables, it is important to ensure that the TX of one device is connected to the RX of the other device and vice versa. If the TX/RX is reversed, data cannot be transmitted successfully.

References:

• CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide, Exam N10-007, Fourth Edition, Chapter 5: Network Operations, Objective 5.1: Given a scenario, use appropriate documentation and diagrams to manage the network.

To find all devices connected within a network, a technician can use an IP scanner. An IP scanner sends a ping request to all IP addresses within a specified range and then identifies the active devices that respond to the request.

The IP address configured on the router interface is 196.26.4.1/26, which belongs to the IP range assigned by the ISP (196.26.4.0/26). However, this IP address is not valid for this interface because it is the network address of the subnet, which cannot be assigned to any host device. The network address is the first address of a subnet that identifies the subnet itself. The valid IP addresses for this subnet are from 196.26.4.1 to 196.26.4.62, excluding the network address (196.26.4.0) and the broadcast address (196.26.4.63). The router interface should be configured with a valid IP address within this range to restore Internet connectivity for all users. References: https://partners.comptia.org/docs/default-source/resources/comptia-network-n10-008-exam-objectives-(2-0), https://www.techopedia.com/definition/24136/network-address

TACACS+ (Terminal Access Controller Access Control System Plus) can be used to centrally manage credentials for various types of administrative privileges on configured network devices. This protocol separates authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) functions, providing more granular control over access to network resources.

References:

• Network+ N10-007 Certification Exam Objectives, Objective 4.2: Given a scenario, implement secure network administration principles.

First Hop Redundancy Protocol (FHRP) provides a failover mechanism for the default gateway, allowing a backup gateway to take over if the primary gateway fails. References: CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide, Chapter 4: Infrastructure.

A captive portal is a web page that requires users to authenticate before they can access the internet. If the session time-out configuration is too short, users may experience intermittent internet connectivity and have to reconnect using the web authentication process each time. The network administrator can verify the session time-out configuration on the captive portal settings and adjust it if needed. References: CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 2.0 (Exam Number: N10-006), Domain 1.0 Network Architecture, Objective 1.8 Explain the purposes and use cases for advanced networking devices.

Tracert is a command-line tool that traces the route of a packet from a source to a destination and displays the number of hops and the round-trip time for each hop. The output shown in the question is an example of a tracert output, which shows five hops with their IP addresses and hostnames (if available) and three latency measurements for each hop in milliseconds. References: https://partners.comptia.org/docs/default-source/resources/comptia-network-n10-008-exam-objectives-(2-0), https://www.lumen.com/help/en-us/network/traceroute/understanding-the-traceroute-output.html

Zero Trust is a security framework that requires all users, whether in or outside the organization’s network, to be authenticated, authorized, and continuously validated for security configuration and posture before being granted or keeping access to applications and data. Zero Trust prevents attackers from moving laterally through a system by applying granular policies and controls based on the principle of least privilege and by segmenting and encrypting data flows across the network. References: https://partners.comptia.org/docs/default-source/resources/comptia-network-n10-008-exam-objectives-(2-0), https://www.crowdstrike.com/cybersecurity-101/zero-trust-security/

Channel overlap is a common cause of wireless connectivity issues, especially in high-density environments where multiple APs are operating on the same or adjacent frequencies. Channel overlap can cause interference, signal degradation, and performance loss for wireless devices. The AP association time, EIRP, and RSSI are not likely to cause frequent disconnects and reconnects for wireless users.

NIC teaming is a technique that combines two or more network interface cards (NICs) on a server into a single logical interface that can increase bandwidth, provide redundancy, and balance traffic. NIC teaming can be configured with different modes and algorithms depending on the desired outcome. Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) is a protocol that enables NIC teaming by dynamically bundling multiple links between two devices into one logical link. References: https://partners.comptia.org/docs/default-source/resources/comptia-network-n10-008-exam-objectives-(2-0), https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/networking/technologies/nic-teaming/nic-teaming

Implementing file integrity monitoring (FIM) would assist with detecting activities such as website defacement or internal system attacks. FIM is a process that monitors and alerts on changes to files or directories that are critical for security or functionality. FIM can help detect unauthorized modifications, malware infections, data breaches, or configuration errors. FIM can also help with compliance and auditing requirements. References: https://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/security-data-protection/cyber-security/what-is-file-integrity-monitoring/

An IP header can be found at the third layer of the OSI model, also known as the network layer. This layer is responsible for logical addressing, routing, and forwarding of data packets.

References:

• CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide, Exam N10-007, Fourth Edition, Chapter 2: Network Models, p. 82

A wireless controller is used to manage a corporate WLAN, providing centralized management and configuration of access points. References: CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide, Chapter 8: Wireless Networks.

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.

To detect the exact break point of a fiber link, an engineer should use an OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer). This device sends a series of pulses into the fiber, measuring the time it takes for the pulses to reflect back, and can pinpoint the exact location of the break.

References:

• Network+ N10-007 Certification Exam Objectives, Objective 2.5: Given a scenario, troubleshoot copper cable issues.
• FS: OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer) Testing Principle and Applications

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.

The DNS record that works as an alias to another record is called CNAME (Canonical Name). CNAME records are used to create an alias for a domain name that points to another domain name.

References:

• CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide, Exam N10-007, Fourth Edition, Chapter 2: The OSI Model and Networking Protocols, Objective 2.3: Given a scenario, implement and configure the appropriate addressing schema.

CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance) is an IEEE 802.11 standard that would be best to use for multiple simultaneous client access on a wireless network. CSMA/CA is a media access control method that allows multiple devices to share the same wireless channel without causing collisions or interference. It works by having each device sense the channel before transmitting data and waiting for an acknowledgment from the receiver after each transmission. If the channel is busy or no acknowledgment is received, the device will back off and retry later with a random delay. References: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless-mobility/wireless-lan-wlan/82068-csma-ca.html

The reason why the alerts are not being received is that the network device is not configured to log that level to the syslog server. The severity level for the events may need to be adjusted in order for them to be sent to the syslog server. References: Network+ Certification Study Guide, Chapter 8: Network Troubleshooting

Reducing the wireless power levels can limit the range of the guest wireless network and prevent users in an adjacent building from connecting to it. Adjusting the wireless channels or enabling wireless client isolation will not affect the signal strength or coverage of the guest network. Enabling wireless port security will not work on a guest network that does not use authentication or MAC address filtering. References: CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 2.0 (Exam Number: N10-006), Domain 2.0 Network Operations, Objective 2.5 Given a scenario, implement appropriate wireless configuration settings; Guest WiFi Security - Cisco Umbrella

The dig command is used to query the NSs for a remote application. It is a command-line tool that is commonly used to troubleshoot DNS issues. When used with specific options, dig can be used to obtain information about domain names, IP addresses, and DNS records. References: Network+ Certification Study Guide, Chapter 3: Network Infrastructure

The nslookup command should be run to confirm the server name for all Linux servers. Nslookup is a tool that queries DNS servers to resolve hostnames to IP addresses or vice versa. It can also provide other information about DNS records, such as MX, NS, SOA, etc. By running nslookup with the IP address of a Linux server, the technician can obtain its hostname. References: https://www.howtogeek.com/663056/how-to-use-the-nslookup-command-on-linux/

MDIX (medium-dependent interface crossover) is a feature that allows network devices to automatically detect and configure the appropriate cabling type, eliminating the need for crossover cables. By enabling MDIX on the switches, a technician can use the original Cat 6 cable to create a crossover connection.

References: CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide, Sixth Edition by Glen E. Clarke

The network administrator should check the roaming settings on the APs and WLAN clients first. Roaming is the process of switching from one AP to another without losing connectivity. If the roaming settings are not configured properly, some users may experience poor connectivity when their devices stay connected to a distant AP instead of switching to a closer one. References: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless-mobility/wireless-lan-wlan/82068-roam-faq.html

Short Explanation: The switch feature that is most likely to be used to assist with logging IPv6 and MAC addresses of devices on a network segment is Neighbor Discovery Protocol (NDP). NDP is used by IPv6 to discover and maintain information about other nodes on the network, including their IPv6 and MAC addresses. By periodically querying NDP, the administrator can log this information for auditing purposes.

References:

• CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide, Exam N10-007, Fourth Edition, Chapter 2: The OSI Model and Networking Protocols, Objective 2.1: Compare and contrast TCP and UDP ports, protocols, and their purposes.

The issue of WIFI users being unable to connect while WLAN users on the guest network can access all resources indicates a problem with channel overlap or interference. By reconfiguring the channels, interference can be minimized, improving connectivity for WIFI users. According to the table, AP 1 and AP 2 are using adjacent channels (2 and 1), which can cause interference. AP 3 and AP 4 are using non-overlapping channels (5 and 11), but they have very high RSSI values (-44dBm and -41dBm), which can also cause interference. A possible solution is to use only non-overlapping channels (such as 1, 6, and 11) and adjust the power levels to avoid excessive signal strength. References: Wireless Troubleshooting – N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 5.4, Network Troubleshooting Methodology - N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 5.1

• The question asks about the metrics that will most accurately show the underlying performance issues of slow or unresponsive desktops for users who are using VMs (virtual machines).
• VMs are software-based simulations of physical computers that run on a host system. They share the resources of the host system, such as CPU, memory, disk space, etc.
• If the host system does not have enough resources to support the number of VMs running on it, the performance of the VMs will suffer. This is especially true if the VMs are running resource-intensive applications or tasks.
• Therefore, the metrics that will most accurately show the underlying performance issues are CPU usage and memory. These metrics indicate how much of the host system’s resources are being consumed by the VMs and how much is available for other processes.
• The other metrics are not relevant to the question, as they are related to the network performance, not the host system performance. They are:

References:

• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 1: Networking Concepts, Section 1.3: Virtualization and Network Storage Technologies, Pages 34-36
• Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course, Video 1.3: Virtualization and Network Storage Technologies, Part 1
• Network + N10-008 practice exam, Question 8, Answer A and B, Explanation

Bandwidth management is used to prioritize Internet usage per application and per user on the network. This allows an organization to allocate network resources to mission-critical applications and users, while limiting the bandwidth available to non-business-critical applications. References: Network+ Certification Study Guide, Chapter 2: Network Operations

A hot site is a fully redundant site that can take over operations immediately if the primary site goes down. In this scenario, the company has set up two different datacenters across the country that are current on data and applications, and they can immediately switch from one datacenter to another in case of an outage. References:

• Network+ N10-008 Objectives: 1.5 Compare and contrast disaster recovery concepts and methodologies.

 The software on the workstation should be configured to send the query to 10.1.2.255, which is the local subnet broadcast address. A broadcast address is a special address that allows a device to send a message to all devices on the same subnet. It is usually derived by setting all the host bits to 1 in the network address. In this case, the network address is 10.1.2.0/27, which has 27 network bits and 5 host bits. By setting all the host bits to 1, we get 10.1.2.31 as the broadcast address in decimal notation, or 10.1.2.255 in dotted decimal notation. References: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/routing-information-protocol-rip/13788-3.html

An extended service set (ESS) is a wireless network that consists of multiple access points (APs) that share the same SSID and are connected by a wired network. An ESS allows wireless clients to roam seamlessly between different APs without losing connectivity. A basic service set (BSS) is a wireless network that consists of a single AP and its associated clients. An independent basic service set (IBSS) is a wireless network that consists of a group of clients that communicate directly without an AP. A unified service set is not a standard term for a wireless network. References: https://partners.comptia.org/docs/default-source/resources/comptia-network-n10-008-exam-objectives-(2-0), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_set_(802.11_network)

802.11a/b/g/n/ac wireless networks operate in two frequency ranges: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 5 GHz frequency range supports more channels than the 2.4 GHz frequency range, making it a better choice for high-density wireless networks.

References: CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide, Sixth Edition by Glen E. Clarke

NIC teaming, also known as network interface card teaming or link aggregation, allows multiple network interface cards to be grouped together to provide redundancy and increased throughput. In the event of a port failure on a switch, NIC teaming ensures that the file server remains connected to the LAN by automatically switching to another network interface card.

References: CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide, Sixth Edition by Glen E. Clarke

802.11ax is the latest WiFi standard that improves WiFi performance in densely populated environments and supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. 802.11ac is the previous standard that only supports 5 GHz band. 802.11g and 802.11n are older standards that support 2.4 GHz band only or both bands respectively. References: https://partners.comptia.org/docs/default-source/resources/comptia-network-n10-008-exam-objectives-(2-0), https://www.techtarget.com/searchnetworking/tip/Whats-the-difference-between-80211ax-vs-80211ac

CRC stands for Cyclic Redundancy Check, and it is a type of error-detecting code used to detect accidental changes to raw data. If the CRC count is increasing on a particular interface, it indicates that there might be an issue with the cabling, which is causing data corruption. References:

• Network+ N10-008 Objectives: 2.1 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common physical connectivity issues.

CRC errors are cyclic redundancy check errors that occur when data is corrupted during transmission. CRC errors are usually caused by physical layer issues such as faulty cables, connectors, ports, or interference. The network administrator will most likely start to troubleshoot at layer 1 of the OSI model, which is the physical layer that deals with the transmission of bits over a medium. References: CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 2.0 (Exam Number: N10-006), Domain 4.0 Network Troubleshooting and Tools, Objective 4.1 Given a scenario, implement network troubleshooting methodology.

To improve performance for videoconferencing, the company should configure Quality of Service (QoS). This technology allows for the prioritization of network traffic, ensuring that videoconferencing traffic is given higher priority and therefore better performance. Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), Dynamic routing, Network load balancer, and Static IP addresses are not directly related to improving performance for videoconferencing.

References:

• Network+ N10-007 Certification Exam Objectives, Objective 2.6: Given a scenario, implement and configure the appropriate wireless security and implement the appropriate QoS concepts.

IaaS stands for Infrastructure as a Service, which is a cloud service model that provides virtualized computing resources over the Internet, such as servers, storage, networking, and operating systems. IaaS allows customers to replace their on-premises servers with cloud servers that can be scaled up or down on demand and pay only for what they use. PaaS stands for Platform as a Service, which provides customers with a cloud-based platform for developing, testing, and deploying applications without managing the underlying infrastructure. SaaS stands for Software as a Service, which provides customers with access to cloud-based software applications over the Internet without installing or maintaining them on their devices. Disaster recovery as a Service (DRaaS) is a type of cloud service that provides customers with backup and recovery solutions for their data and applications in case of a disaster.

A reservation should be configured to ensure a device with a specific MAC address is always assigned the same IP address from DHCP. A reservation is a feature of DHCP that allows an administrator to assign a fixed 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, even if it is powered off or disconnected from the network for a long time. References: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/troubleshoot/configure-dhcp-reservations

In a star topology, all devices on a network connect to a central hub or switch, which acts as a common connection point. Ethernet LANs typically use a star topology, with each device connected to a central switch. References:

• Network+ N10-008 Objectives: 2.2 Explain common logical network topologies and their characteristics.

TCP port 445 is used by the Windows OS for file sharing. It is also known as SMB (Server Message Block) or CIFS (Common Internet File System) and allows users to access files, printers, and other shared resources on a network. References: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/file-server/troubleshoot/detect-enable-and-disable-smbv1-v2-v3

Screened Subnet devices – Web server, FTP server

Building A devices – SSH server top left, workstations on all 5 on the right, laptop on bottom left

DataCenter devices – DNS server.

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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: https://www.boonedam.us/blog/what-are-access-control-vestibules

SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable) is a connector type that has the most flexibility. It is a hot-swappable transceiver that can support different speeds, distances, and media types depending on the module inserted. It can be used for both copper and fiber connections and supports various protocols such as Ethernet, Fibre Channel, and SONET. References: https://www.fs.com/what-is-sfp-transceiver-aid-11.html

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

BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is a routing protocol used to exchange route information between public autonomous systems (AS). OSPF (Open Shortest Path First), EGRIP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol), and RIP (Routing Information Protocol) are all used for internal routing within a single AS. Therefore, BGP is the correct option to choose for this question.

References:

• Network+ N10-007 Certification Exam Objectives, Objective 3.3: Given a scenario, configure and apply the appropriate routing protocol.
• Cisco: Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) Overview

According to troubleshooting methodology, after determining the most likely probable cause of an issue, the next step is to establish a plan of action to resolve the issue and identify potential effects. This step involves defining the steps needed to implement a solution, considering the possible consequences of each step, and obtaining approval from relevant stakeholders if necessary. References: https://partners.comptia.org/docs/default-source/resources/comptia-network-n10-008-exam-objectives-(2-0), https://www.comptia.org/blog/the-comptia-guide-to-it-troubleshooting

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a method of verifying a user’s identity by requiring two pieces of evidence, such as something the user knows (e.g., a password) and something the user has (e.g., a token or a smartphone). 2FA adds an extra layer of security that makes it harder for hackers to access a user’s account by brute-force programs. Complex passwords are passwords that are long, random, and use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Complex passwords are more resistant to brute-force attacks than simple or common passwords. References: https://partners.comptia.org/docs/default-source/resources/comptia-network-n10-008-exam-objectives-(2-0), https://www.csoonline.com/article/3225913/what-is-two-factor-authentication-2fa-how-to-enable-it-and-why-you-should.html, https://www.howtogeek.com/195430/how-to-create-a-strong-password-and-remember-it/

Change management is the process of reviewing previous upgrades to a system. It is a systematic approach to managing changes to an organization's IT systems and infrastructure. Change management involves the assessment of potential risks associated with a change, as well as the identification of any necessary resources required to implement the change. References: Network+ Certification Study Guide, Chapter 8: Network Troubleshooting

On the first exhibit, the layout should be as follows

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Exhibit 2 as follows

Access Point Name AP2

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Exhibit 3 as follows

Access Point Name AP3

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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: https://www.camcode.com/asset-tags/asset-tagging-guide/

Site-to-site VPN provides the best security for connecting a new datacenter to an old one because it creates a secure tunnel between the two locations, protecting data in transit. References: CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide, Chapter 5: Network Security.

Port security is a feature that restricts input to a switch port by limiting and identifying MAC addresses of the devices allowed to access the port. This prevents unintended connections from unauthorized devices or spoofed MAC addresses. Port security can also be configured to take actions such as shutting down the port or sending an alert when a violation occurs. References: https://partners.comptia.org/docs/default-source/resources/comptia-network-n10-008-exam-objectives-(2-0), https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst9500/software/release/16-10/configuration_guide/sec/b_1610_sec_9500_cg/b_1610_sec_9500_cg_chapter_0101010.html

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: https://partners.comptia.org/docs/default-source/resources/comptia-network-n10-008-exam-objectives-(2-0), https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/security/what-is-an-intrusion-detection-system-ids.html

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: https://www.voip-info.org/session-initiation-protocol/

SSID (Service Set Identifier) is a feature that should be configured to allow different wireless access through the same equipment. SSID is the name of a wireless network that identifies it from other networks in the same area. A wireless access point (AP) can support multiple SSIDs with different security settings and network policies. For example, a store owner can create one SSID for business equipment and another SSID for patron use, and assign different passwords, VLANs, and QoS levels for each SSID. References: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless-mobility/wireless-lan-wlan/70931-multiple-ssid.html

If multiple users in a new building are unable to access the company’s intranet site via their web browser but are able to access internet sites, the network administrator can resolve this issue by correcting the DNS server entries in the DHCP scope. The DHCP scope is responsible for assigning IP addresses and DNS server addresses to clients. If the DNS server entries are incorrect, clients will not be able to access intranet sites.

References:

• CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide, Exam N10-007, Fourth Edition, Chapter 4: Network Implementations, Objective 4.4: Explain the purpose and properties of DHCP.

To locate a device's network port on a switch, a technician should review the switch's MAC address table. The MAC address table maintains a list of MAC addresses of devices connected to each port on the switch. By checking the MAC address of the device in question, the technician can identify the port to which the device is connected.

References: CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide, Sixth Edition by Glen E. Clarke

A VoIP sales call with a customer would be most affected by jitter greater than 10ms on the WAN connection. Jitter is the 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 10ms. References: https://www.voip-info.org/voip-jitter/

Mismatched duplex settings can cause an increase in CRC errors, which are errors in data transmission that can result in corrupted data. References: CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide, Chapter 4: Infrastructure.

Reverse Address Resolution Protocol (RARP) is a protocol that allows a device to obtain its MAC address from its IP address. A MAC spoofing attack is an attack where a device pretends to have a different MAC address than its actual one. RARP can be used to detect a MAC spoofing attack by comparing the MAC address obtained from RARP with the MAC address obtained from other sources, such as ARP or DHCP. References: https://partners.comptia.org/docs/default-source/resources/comptia-network-n10-008-exam-objectives-(2-0), https://www.techopedia.com/definition/25597/reverse-address-resolution-protocol-rarp

CVE stands for Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures, which is a list of publicly disclosed cybersecurity vulnerabilities that is free to search, use, and incorporate into products and services. CVE provides a standardized identifier and description for each vulnerability, as well as references to related sources of information. CVE helps to track and document various types of known vulnerabilities and facilitates communication and coordination among security professionals.

References: https://partners.comptia.org/docs/default-source/resources/comptia-network-n10-008-exam-objectives-(2-0), https://cve.mitre.org/cve/

To determine what metrics can be gathered from a given switch, a technician should utilize the Management Information Base (MIB). The MIB is a database of network management information that is used to manage and monitor network devices. It contains information about device configuration, status, and performance. References: Network+ Certification Study Guide, Chapter 5: Network Security

Updating the firewalls with current firmware and software is an important step to ensure all the firewalls are hardened successfully, as it can fix any known vulnerabilities or bugs and provide new features or enhancements. Enabling an implicit permit rule is not a good practice for firewall hardening, as it can allow unwanted traffic to pass through the firewall. Configuring the log settings on the firewalls to the central syslog server is a good practice for monitoring and auditing purposes, but it does not harden the firewalls themselves. Using the same complex passwords on all firewalls is not a good practice for password security, as it can increase the risk of compromise if one firewall is breached. References: CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 2.0 (Exam Number: N10-006), Domain 3.0 Network Security, Objective 3.3 Given a scenario, implement network hardening techniques.

Decreasing the lease duration on the DHCP server will cause clients to renew their IP address leases more frequently, freeing up IP addresses for other clients to use. References: CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide, Chapter 3: IP Addressing.

A virtual IP (VIP) address must be configured to ensure connectivity during a failover. A VIP address is a single IP address that is assigned to a group of servers or network devices. When one device fails, traffic is automatically rerouted to the remaining devices, and the VIP address is reassigned to the backup device, allowing clients to continue to access the service without interruption.

References:

• CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide, Exam N10-007, Fourth Edition, Chapter 6: Network Servers, p. 300

A change management policy is a document that outlines the procedures and guidelines for making changes to a network or system, including how changes are approved, tested, and implemented. By following a change management policy, organizations can ensure that unnecessary modifications to the network are not permitted and version control is maintained. References:

• Network+ N10-008 Objectives: 1.6 Given a scenario, implement network configuration and change management best practices.

 Explanation: Tailgating is a physical security attack where an unauthorized person follows an authorized person into a restricted area without proper identification or authorization. The network administrator prevented this attack by stopping and directing the person to the security desk. References: CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 2.0 (Exam Number: N10-006), Domain 3.0 Network Security, Objective 3.1 Compare and contrast risk-related concepts.

The maximum transmission unit (MTU) is the largest size of a data packet that can be transmitted over a network. A standard Ethernet frame supports an MTU of 1500 bytes, which is the default value for most Ethernet networks. Larger MTUs are possible with jumbo frames, but they are not widely supported and may cause fragmentation or compatibility issues. References: https://partners.comptia.org/docs/default-source/resources/comptia-network-n10-008-exam-objectives-(2-0), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximum_transmission_unit

In a half-duplex link, devices can only send or receive data at one time, not simultaneously. Late collisions occur when devices transmit data at the same time after waiting for a clear channel. One of the causes of late collisions is excessive cable length, which increases the propagation delay and makes it harder for devices to detect collisions. The link termination, device configuration, and device hardware are not likely to cause late collisions on a half-duplex link.

QSFP+ is a transceiver type that can support up to 40Gbps. It stands for Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable Plus and uses four lanes of data to achieve high-speed transmission. It is commonly used for data center and high-performance computing applications. References: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/interfaces-modules/transceiver-modules/data_sheet_c78-660083.html

A spectrum analyzer is a tool that measures the frequency and amplitude of signals in a wireless network. It can be used to troubleshoot issues related to interference from other networks and non-802.11 devices, such as microwave ovens or cordless phones, by identifying the sources and levels of interference in the wireless spectrum. A spectrum analyzer can also help to optimize the channel selection and placement of wireless access points. References: https://partners.comptia.org/docs/default-source/resources/comptia-network- n10-008-exam-objectives-(2-0), https://www.flukenetworks.com/blog/cabling-chronicles/what-spectrum-analyzer-and-how-do-you-use-it

RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) is the best option for a network technician to use when installing new software on a Windows-based server in a different geographical location. This protocol allows the technician to connect to the server remotely and control it as if they were physically present.

References:

• Network+ N10-007 Certification Exam Objectives, Objective 2.2: Given a scenario, implement the appropriate network-based security and troubleshoot common connectivity issues.

To resolve the issue of DHCP scope exhaustion without creating a new DHCP pool, the administrator can reduce the lease time. By decreasing the lease time, the IP addresses assigned by DHCP will be released back to the DHCP scope more quickly, allowing them to be assigned to new devices.

References:

• CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide, Exam N10-007, Fourth Edition, Chapter 2: The OSI Model and Networking Protocols, Objective 2.3: Given a scenario, implement and configure the appropriate addressing schema.
• https://www.networkcomputing.com/data-centers/10-tips-optimizing-dhcp-performance

The attacker attempting to find the password to a network by inputting common words and phrases in plaintext to the password prompt is using a dictionary attack. References: CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide, Chapter 6: Network Attacks and Mitigation.

TTL (Time To Live) should be adjusted to address the issue of some visitors being unable to access the website after the A record was updated. TTL is a value that specifies how long a DNS record should be cached by DNS servers and clients before it expires and needs to be refreshed. If the TTL is too high, some DNS servers and clients may still use the old A record that points to the previous IP address of the website, resulting in connection failures. By lowering the TTL, the DNS servers and clients will update their cache more frequently and use the new A record that points to the current IP address of the website. References: https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/dns/dns-records/dns-ttl/

A broadcast storm is most likely occurring when connecting multiple unmanaged Layer 2 switches with multiple connections between each pair. A broadcast storm is a situation where broadcast packets flood a network segment and consume all the available bandwidth. It can be caused by loops in the network topology, where broadcast packets are endlessly forwarded by switches without any loop prevention mechanism. Unmanaged switches do not support features such as Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) or Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) that can detect and block loops. References: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/lan-switching/spanning-tree-protocol/10556-16.html

A Layer 3 switch will likely replace all the company's hubs when implementing OSPF on all of its network devices. A Layer 3 switch combines the functionality of a traditional Layer 2 switch with the routing capabilities of a router. By implementing OSPF on a Layer 3 switch, an organization can improve network performance and reduce the risk of network congestion. References: Network+ Certification Study Guide, Chapter 5: Network Security

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: https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/definition/screened-subnet#:~:text=A%20screened%20subnet%2C%20or%20triple-homed%20firewall%2C%20refers%20to,a%20perimeter%20network%20to%20isolate%20or%20separate%20the  1

 Port 23 should be blocked when checking firewall configuration to prevent outside users from telnetting into any of the servers at the datacenter. Port 23 is the default port for Telnet, which is an insecure protocol that allows remote access to servers and network devices. Telnet sends data in clear text, which can be easily intercepted and compromised by attackers. A more secure alternative is SSH, which uses port 22 and encrypts data. References: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/routing-information-protocol-rip/13788-3.html

A content delivery network (CDN) is a distributed network of servers that delivers web content to users based on their geographic location. By replicating content across multiple servers in various locations, a CDN can optimize speed and reduce latency in high-density user locations.

Using a bottom-to-top approach means starting from the physical layer and moving up the OSI model to troubleshoot a network problem. Checking for a link light is a physical layer check that verifies the connectivity of the network cable and device. References: https://www.professormesser.com/network-plus/n10-007/troubleshooting-methodologies-2/

A subnet mask is a binary number that indicates which bits of an IP address belong to the network portion and which bits belong to the host portion. A slash notation (/n) indicates how many bits are used for the network portion. A /20 notation means that 20 bits are used for the network portion and 12 bits are used for the host portion. To convert /20 to a dotted decimal notation, we need to write 20 ones followed by 12 zeros in binary and then divide them into four octets separated by dots. This gives us 11111111.11111111.11110000.00000000 or 255.255.240.0 in decimal. References: https://partners.comptia.org/docs/default-source/resources/comptia-network-n10-008-exam-objectives-(2-0), https://www.techopedia.com/definition/950/subnet-mask

Next-generation firewalls can provide content filtering and threat protection, and can manage multiple IPSec site-to-site connections. References: CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide, Chapter 5: Network Security.

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/network-security-basics-6-easy-ways-to-protect-your-network

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: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/network-address-translation-nat/13772-12.html

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-a-site-to-site-vpn

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-dns-poisoning

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.

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-change-management

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: https://hyperproof.io/resource/segregation-of-duties/

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: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/security-vpn/secure-shell-ssh/15292-scp.html

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: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/about/security-center/arp-spoofing.html

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: https://www.howtogeek.com/179089/lock-down-your-wi-fi-network-with-your-routers-wireless-isolation-option/

 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: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/ios-xml/ios/fundamentals/configuration/15mt/fundamentals-15-mt-book/cf-out-band-mgmt.html

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: https://www.enterprisestorageforum.com/management/disaster-recovery-site/  1

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: https://www.securew2.com/blog/what-is-eap-tls  1

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: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/interfaces-modules/gigabit-ethernet-gbic-sfp-modules/product_data_sheet09186a008014cb5e.html

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: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/lan-switching/spanning-tree-protocol/10556-16.html

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: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/access-lists/13608-21.html

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: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/security-vpn/ipsec-negotiation-ike-protocols/14106-how-vpn-works.html

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: https://www.adobe.com/sign/esignature-resources/sign-nda.html

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-siem

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: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless-mobility/wireless-lan-wlan/82068-omni-vs-direct.html  1

 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: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/routing-information-protocol-rip/13788-3.html

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: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/solutions/Enterprise/Data_Center/DC_Infra2_5/DCInfra_6.html

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.

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-a-honeypot

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.

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.

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: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/solutions/Enterprise/Data_Center/DC_Infra2_5/DCInfra_6.html

 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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-rj11

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: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/wireless/wireless-lan-controller/index.html

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.

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-power-level

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-netstat

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: https://www.educba.com/sql-cluster/

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.

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.

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.

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: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless-mobility/wireless-lan-wlan/82068-omni-vs-direct.html

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-show-interface

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.

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: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/routing-information-protocol-rip/16448-default-gateway.html

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-a-virtual-switch

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: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/routing-information-protocol-rip/13788-3.html

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-siem

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: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/lan-switching/ethernet/14119-37.html

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

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-a-honeypot

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-dhcp

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.

 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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-utm

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: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/ios-nx-os-software/border-gateway-protocol-bgp/prod_white_paper0900aecd806c4eeb.html

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: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless-mobility/wireless-lan-wlan/82068-omni-vs-direct.html  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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-a-warm-site

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: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/routing-information-protocol-rip/13788-3.html

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: https://www.vmware.com/topics/glossary/content/hypervisor

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: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/security-vpn/remote-authentication-dial-user-service-radius/13838-10.html

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: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/voice-unified-communications/unified-communications-manager-callmanager/13979-dhcp-option-150-00.html

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: https://www.arubanetworks.com/techdocs/Instant_87_WebHelp/Content/instant-ug/captive-portal/captive-portal.htm

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-firmware

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: https://www.netspotapp.com/what-is-a-wifi-heatmap.html

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-link-light

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-port-tagging

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-iaas

 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: https://www.voip-info.org/voip-jitter/  1

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-iaas

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-tacacs

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.

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.

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-ransomware

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: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/security-vpn/ipsec-negotiation-ike-protocols/14106-how-vpn-works.html

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-syslog

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: https://community.cisco.com/t5/wireless-small-business/wap200-poor-signal-strength/td-p/1565796