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CCNA Common Networking Hardware Questions

30 questions · Common Networking Hardware · All types, answers revealed

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1
MCQmedium

A technician is deploying a new network in a warehouse and needs to connect two separate switches that are 120 meters apart. The cable run must support 1 Gbps speeds. Which networking hardware component should be used to ensure reliable connectivity?

A.Use a single 120-meter Cat6 cable.
B.Install a switch at the 60-meter midpoint and use two Cat6 cables.
C.Use a fiber optic cable with media converters on both ends.
D.Replace one switch with a hub to increase signal strength.
AnswerB

A switch can regenerate the signal, allowing two 60-meter cable runs to connect the switches, staying within the 100-meter limit per segment.

Why this answer

This question tests knowledge of Ethernet distance limitations and the use of repeaters or switches to extend networks. Standard Cat5e/6 cabling is limited to 100 meters for 1 Gbps. Since the distance is 120 meters, a switch (which acts as a repeater) can be placed in the middle to regenerate the signal.

The correct answer is to use a switch in between, as it will extend the network while maintaining speed.

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2
MCQmedium

A customer complains that their wireless network is slow and frequently drops connections. They live in a densely populated apartment building. The technician checks the wireless router and sees it is using channel 1. What is the most likely cause of the issue?

A.The router is too far from the devices
B.The router's firmware is outdated
C.There is interference from other wireless networks on the same channel
D.The router is using 5 GHz instead of 2.4 GHz
AnswerC

In a dense apartment building, many networks overlap, causing co-channel interference that degrades performance and causes drops.

Why this answer

In a dense area, overlapping Wi-Fi channels cause interference. Channel 1 is commonly used, but if neighboring networks are also on channel 1 or 6, it can cause congestion. The correct answer is co-channel interference from neighboring networks.

The technician should use a Wi-Fi analyzer to find a less congested channel.

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3
MCQhard

A company is upgrading its network to support 10 Gbps speeds for a server farm. The existing cabling is Cat6a, and the switches are Gigabit. The IT manager wants to minimize cost while achieving 10 Gbps. Which hardware change is required?

A.Replace the Cat6a cabling with Cat7 cabling.
B.Install 10 Gbps switches and use the existing Cat6a cabling.
C.Replace the switches with Gigabit models that have SFP+ ports for fiber.
D.Add a repeater to boost the signal on the existing Cat6a cabling.
AnswerB

Correct. Cat6a supports 10 Gbps, so only the switches need to be upgraded to 10 Gbps models. This is the most cost-effective solution.

Why this answer

This question tests knowledge of cabling standards and switch capabilities. Cat6a supports 10 Gbps up to 100 meters, so the cabling is sufficient. The bottleneck is the switches, which must be upgraded to 10 Gbps models.

SFP+ modules can be used for fiber connections if needed, but the question focuses on copper.

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4
MCQeasy

A small office with 15 employees uses a single switch to connect all workstations. Users report that the network becomes extremely slow during peak hours, and some packets are being dropped. The switch is a 10/100 model with a 1 Gbps uplink to the router. What is the most likely cause of the slowdown?

A.The switch is not a managed switch and cannot prioritize traffic.
B.The switch's ports are only 100 Mbps, causing a bottleneck when multiple users are active.
C.The router's uplink port is faulty and needs to be replaced.
D.The switch is a hub, not a switch, causing collisions.
AnswerB

Correct. 10/100 switches limit each port to 100 Mbps, which can be saturated by multiple users, leading to packet loss and slowdowns.

Why this answer

This question tests understanding of switch port speeds and network congestion. A 10/100 switch limits each workstation to 100 Mbps, which can cause bottlenecks with multiple users. Upgrading to a Gigabit switch would provide 1000 Mbps per port, alleviating the slowdown.

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5
MCQmedium

A company is setting up a new branch office with 30 employees. They need to connect all workstations to the network and provide internet access. The internet connection is a fiber optic line terminating in an ONT. Which device should be placed between the ONT and the switch to route traffic and provide NAT?

A.Patch panel
B.Router
C.Layer 2 switch
D.Firewall appliance
AnswerB

A router connects the ONT to the switch, performs NAT, and routes traffic between the local network and the internet.

Why this answer

The ONT converts fiber to Ethernet, but it does not route or perform NAT. A router is required to connect the local network to the internet, provide NAT, and handle IP addressing. A switch alone cannot route, and a firewall is often combined with a router but is not the primary device for routing.

The correct answer is a router.

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6
MCQeasy

A user reports that their desktop computer cannot connect to the internet, but other devices on the same network work fine. You check the patch cable from the wall jack to the PC and find it is a Cat5e cable. The PC's network adapter shows a link light, but no activity. What should you do first?

A.Replace the Cat5e cable with a Cat6 cable.
B.Check the IP address configuration on the PC to see if it has a valid address.
C.Reboot the switch in the wiring closet.
D.Replace the network adapter in the PC.
AnswerB

Correct. A link light with no activity often indicates a DHCP issue or static IP misconfiguration. Checking IP settings is the next logical step.

Why this answer

This question tests basic network troubleshooting steps. A link light indicates physical connectivity, but no activity suggests a configuration issue. Checking the IP address assignment is the logical first step before replacing hardware.

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7
MCQhard

A technician is troubleshooting a network where users on one floor cannot communicate with users on another floor. Both floors are connected to the same switch via separate VLANs configured for security. What additional device is needed to allow communication between the VLANs?

A.A hub
B.A Layer 2 switch
C.A router or Layer 3 switch
D.A bridge
AnswerC

A router or Layer 3 switch can route traffic between VLANs, enabling inter-VLAN communication.

Why this answer

VLANs segment a network into separate broadcast domains, and by default, they cannot communicate with each other. A Layer 3 device, such as a router or a Layer 3 switch, is required to route traffic between VLANs. A Layer 2 switch cannot perform routing.

The correct answer is a router or a Layer 3 switch.

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8
MCQhard

A network engineer is designing a new data center and needs to connect multiple servers to a core switch with redundant paths. To prevent loops while allowing failover, which networking hardware feature should be implemented?

A.Enable Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) on the server connections.
B.Enable Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) on all switches.
C.Use a hub instead of a switch for the core connection.
D.Configure all switch ports as access ports.
AnswerB

RSTP provides loop prevention and fast convergence in case of link failure, making it ideal for redundant network designs.

Why this answer

This question tests knowledge of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and its variants. In a network with redundant links, STP is essential to prevent broadcast storms and loops. The correct answer is to enable Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) on the switches, which provides faster convergence than classic STP.

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9
MCQhard

A network administrator needs to connect two switches that are 200 meters apart. The connection must support 1 Gbps speed. The administrator has Cat5e cable available. However, Cat5e is only rated for 100 meters at 1 Gbps. Which device can be used to extend the distance without replacing the cable?

A.Media converter
B.Network extender (repeater)
C.PoE injector
D.Load balancer
AnswerB

A network extender regenerates the signal, allowing the 200-meter run to be broken into two segments within the 100-meter limit.

Why this answer

To extend Ethernet beyond 100 meters, a repeater or a network extender can regenerate the signal. A switch can also act as a repeater if placed in between, but the question implies using existing cable. A media converter changes media type but not distance.

The correct answer is a network extender or a repeater.

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10
MCQmedium

A user complains that their VoIP phone intermittently loses audio during calls. The phone is connected to a PoE switch. The technician checks the switch and sees that the port's PoE power budget is at 95% capacity. What is the most likely cause of the audio drops?

A.The Ethernet cable is too long, causing signal attenuation.
B.The VoIP phone is faulty and needs replacement.
C.The switch is power-cycling the phone due to PoE power budget constraints.
D.The switch port is configured with a VLAN mismatch.
AnswerC

When the PoE power budget is near capacity, the switch may prioritize power delivery and occasionally drop power to lower-priority devices, causing the phone to reset and drop audio.

Why this answer

This question tests understanding of Power over Ethernet (PoE) power budgeting. When a PoE switch's power budget is near capacity, it may intermittently power down low-priority devices to prevent overload, causing the phone to reset or lose power. The correct answer is that the switch is power-cycling the phone due to power budget constraints.

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11
MCQeasy

A customer reports that their desktop computer, which is connected to the network via a wall jack, can access the internet but cannot see other computers on the same local network. The network uses a single switch and a router. What is the most likely misconfiguration causing this issue?

A.The switch is a hub, not a switch.
B.The computer's network profile is set to 'Public', disabling Network Discovery.
C.The router is blocking multicast traffic.
D.The Ethernet cable is a crossover cable.
AnswerB

In Windows, a Public network profile disables Network Discovery, preventing the computer from seeing other devices on the local network, even though internet access works.

Why this answer

This question tests understanding of the difference between a hub and a switch. A switch forwards frames based on MAC addresses and creates separate collision domains, but it does not inherently prevent devices from seeing each other on the same VLAN. The issue is likely that the switch ports are configured in separate VLANs, isolating traffic.

However, the most common simple misconfiguration is that the device is connected to a hub instead of a switch, which would cause collisions but not prevent visibility. The correct answer is that the switch is functioning correctly; the problem is likely that the computer's network profile is set to 'Public' instead of 'Private' in Windows, which enables Network Discovery.

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12
MCQmedium

A technician is setting up a new wireless network for a warehouse. The warehouse has metal shelving and concrete walls. Which wireless standard should the technician choose to maximize range and penetration through obstacles?

A.802.11ac
B.802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6)
C.802.11n
D.802.11a
AnswerC

Correct. 802.11n supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, but the 2.4 GHz band provides superior range and penetration through obstacles, making it ideal for warehouses.

Why this answer

This question tests knowledge of wireless standards and their characteristics. 2.4 GHz signals (like 802.11n) have better range and penetration through obstacles than 5 GHz signals, making them ideal for environments with many barriers.

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13
MCQmedium

A technician is troubleshooting a network where a user's computer cannot obtain an IP address via DHCP. The computer is connected to a switch, and other devices on the same switch work fine. The technician checks the switch and sees that the port is up and the link light is green. What should the technician check next?

A.Replace the Ethernet cable.
B.Check if the switch port is configured with Port Security that is blocking the MAC address.
C.Reboot the DHCP server.
D.Set a static IP address on the computer.
AnswerB

Port Security can limit the number of MAC addresses on a port or block specific MACs, preventing DHCP requests from being processed. This is a common cause of DHCP failures on otherwise functional ports.

Why this answer

This question tests troubleshooting methodology for DHCP issues. Since the link light is green, the physical layer is fine. The next logical step is to check if the port is configured with a feature like Port Security that might be blocking the DHCP request, or if the port is in a blocking state due to STP.

The correct answer is to check if the switch port is configured with Port Security that might be limiting MAC addresses.

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14
MCQmedium

A small business has a single router with four built-in switch ports. They need to connect 12 wired devices. They have a 24-port unmanaged switch. Which configuration will provide the best network performance and connectivity?

A.Connect all 12 devices directly to the router's four ports using splitters.
B.Connect the switch to one of the router's LAN ports, then connect all 12 devices to the switch.
C.Connect half the devices to the router and half to the switch, then connect the switch to the router.
D.Use the router as a switch by disabling its routing functions.
AnswerB

Correct. This creates a star topology where the switch handles local traffic, and the router manages internet access. It provides full bandwidth to each device.

Why this answer

This question tests understanding of network topology and switch use. Connecting all devices to a single switch and then uplinking that switch to the router is the most efficient, as it keeps traffic local and uses the router only for internet access.

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15
MCQeasy

A user complains that their wireless connection drops frequently, but only when they are in the conference room. Other areas of the office have stable connections. What is the most likely cause?

A.The user's laptop has a faulty wireless adapter.
B.The access point is overloaded with too many connections.
C.The conference room has thick walls or electronic interference that weakens the signal.
D.The access point's firmware is outdated.
AnswerC

Correct. Physical obstructions like concrete or metal, or interference from electronics, can cause signal degradation in specific areas.

Why this answer

This question tests understanding of wireless interference and signal propagation. Physical obstacles like metal studs or electronic interference can weaken signals. The conference room's environment is the key factor.

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16
MCQhard

A company's network uses a managed switch with VLANs. Users in VLAN 10 can ping the default gateway but cannot communicate with users in VLAN 20. The switch is connected to a router that handles inter-VLAN routing. What is the most likely misconfiguration?

A.The router's firewall is blocking traffic between VLANs.
B.The switch port connecting to the router is configured as an access port instead of a trunk.
C.The default gateway for VLAN 20 is misconfigured.
D.The switch has Spanning Tree Protocol enabled, blocking the link.
AnswerB

An access port carries traffic for only one VLAN. For the router to receive traffic from multiple VLANs, the port must be a trunk port that tags frames with VLAN IDs.

Why this answer

This question tests understanding of inter-VLAN routing and trunk ports. For a router to route between VLANs, the switch port connecting to the router must be configured as a trunk port, allowing multiple VLAN tags. If the port is an access port, only one VLAN's traffic will pass.

The correct answer is that the switch port connecting to the router is configured as an access port instead of a trunk.

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17
MCQeasy

A small office has a single internet connection and needs to provide wired network access to 20 computers. They also need to allow guests to connect wirelessly but keep the guest traffic separate from the internal network. Which single device can handle both wired switching and wireless access with VLAN support?

A.Managed switch
B.Wireless router
C.Wireless access point
D.Hub
AnswerB

A wireless router combines a switch, router, and wireless access point, and many support VLANs for guest network isolation.

Why this answer

A wireless router or a wireless access point integrated into a switch can provide both wired and wireless connectivity. However, the key requirement is VLAN support to isolate guest traffic. A wireless router with VLAN capabilities can meet all needs, but a standard wireless router without VLAN support cannot separate traffic.

A switch alone provides no wireless, and an access point alone provides no switching. The correct answer is a wireless router with VLAN support, but since that's not an option, a wireless access point connected to a managed switch is the best fit. Actually, the correct device is a wireless router with VLAN capabilities, but in the options, 'Wireless router' is the most common device that can do both.

Given the options, a wireless router is the correct choice as it typically includes a switch and can support VLANs if configured.

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18
MCQeasy

A company is deploying a new VoIP phone system. Each desk needs both a computer and a phone connected to the network. To minimize cabling, the phone will be connected to the wall jack, and the computer will connect to the phone. Which feature must the switch ports support to ensure both devices receive network access?

A.PoE (Power over Ethernet)
B.Port mirroring
C.VLAN tagging (802.1Q)
D.Link aggregation
AnswerC

VLAN tagging allows the switch port to carry multiple VLANs, separating voice and data traffic so both the phone and computer can communicate on their respective networks.

Why this answer

This scenario describes a typical VoIP deployment where the phone acts as a pass-through for the computer. The switch port must support VLAN tagging to separate voice and data traffic, but the key feature is Power over Ethernet (PoE) if the phone is powered by the switch. However, the question asks for both devices to receive network access, which is handled by the switch port's ability to carry multiple VLANs.

The correct answer is VLAN tagging (802.1Q) to separate voice and data traffic on the same port.

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19
MCQmedium

A customer reports that their network printer is not accessible from any computer on the network. The printer is connected to a switch via Ethernet, and the switch port LED is blinking green. The technician pings the printer's IP address from a computer and gets no reply. What is the most likely cause?

A.The printer's Ethernet cable is faulty.
B.The printer has an IP address conflict with another device.
C.The switch port is administratively down.
D.The printer's print spooler service is stopped.
AnswerB

An IP address conflict can cause the printer to be unreachable even though the physical connection is good. The switch LED blinks because the printer is sending frames, but the IP stack may be disabled due to the conflict.

Why this answer

This question tests understanding of network connectivity and switch port status. A blinking green LED typically indicates traffic, but the ping failure suggests the printer is not responding. The most likely cause is that the printer has a static IP address that conflicts with another device on the network, or the printer's network settings are misconfigured.

The correct answer is an IP address conflict.

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20
MCQmedium

A company's network uses a router with a built-in 4-port switch. The IT manager wants to segment the network into two separate broadcast domains for security. What additional hardware is required?

A.A second router
B.A managed switch
C.A hub
D.A wireless access point
AnswerB

Correct. A managed switch allows configuration of VLANs, which logically separate broadcast domains on the same physical network, improving security.

Why this answer

This question tests understanding of VLANs and network segmentation. A managed switch is required to create VLANs, which separate broadcast domains. An unmanaged switch cannot do this, and a router alone cannot create multiple broadcast domains without multiple interfaces.

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21
MCQmedium

During a network upgrade, a technician needs to connect a legacy printer that only has a USB port to the network. The printer is in a location without a nearby computer. Which device should the technician use to enable network printing?

A.USB hub
B.Wireless access point
C.External print server
D.Network switch
AnswerC

An external print server has a USB port to connect the printer and an Ethernet port to connect to the network, enabling network printing.

Why this answer

A print server is designed to connect a USB printer to a network, allowing it to be shared without a dedicated computer. A USB hub would not provide network connectivity, and a wireless bridge could work but is less direct. The correct answer is an external print server.

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22
MCQhard

A technician is setting up a small office network with a router, a switch, and a wireless access point. The router has only one LAN port. The technician needs to connect the switch and the WAP to the router, but the switch has no uplink port. Which hardware component should the technician use to connect both devices to the router?

A.Use a crossover cable to connect the router directly to the WAP.
B.Connect the router to the switch, then connect the WAP to the switch.
C.Use a hub between the router and the switch.
D.Configure the switch as a router to connect to the WAP.
AnswerB

A switch expands the number of ports, allowing both the WAP and other devices to connect to the router through a single link.

Why this answer

This question tests knowledge of network topology and the use of additional switches. Since the router has only one LAN port, a switch is needed to expand the number of available ports. The correct answer is to connect the router to the switch, and then connect the WAP to the switch.

The switch's ports are typically all the same, so no special uplink port is required (modern switches use Auto-MDIX).

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23
MCQmedium

A user reports that their VoIP phone works but the connected PC cannot access the network. The phone is connected to the wall jack, and the PC is connected to the phone's passthrough port. What is the most likely cause?

A.The PC's network cable is faulty.
B.The VoIP phone's passthrough port is disabled.
C.The switch port is not configured for the data VLAN, so the PC cannot get an IP address.
D.The PC's network adapter is set to a static IP address that conflicts with the phone.
AnswerC

Correct. VoIP phones often use separate VLANs. If the switch port only allows the voice VLAN, the PC's traffic is blocked. Configuring the port for both VLANs resolves this.

Why this answer

This question tests understanding of VoIP phone pass-through ports and VLAN configuration. Many VoIP phones use a separate VLAN for voice and data. If the switch port is not configured for the data VLAN, the PC will not get network access.

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24
MCQeasy

A small office has a network with a single switch and a wireless access point (WAP). Users on the wired network can access the internet, but wireless users cannot. The WAP shows a solid green power LED and a blinking amber activity LED. What is the most likely cause?

A.The WAP is configured with the wrong SSID.
B.The Ethernet cable from the WAP to the switch is faulty or not securely connected.
C.The switch port is configured as a trunk port.
D.The WAP's wireless radio is disabled in the firmware.
AnswerB

A faulty or disconnected Ethernet cable would prevent the WAP from communicating with the switch, causing the activity LED to blink amber (indicating errors) and no internet access for wireless users.

Why this answer

This question tests knowledge of WAP connectivity and LED indicators. The solid green power LED indicates the WAP is powered on, but the blinking amber activity LED suggests there is traffic but no successful connection to the wired network. The most likely issue is that the WAP is not properly connected to the switch, either due to a bad cable or a port issue.

The correct answer is that the Ethernet cable from the WAP to the switch is faulty or not securely connected.

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25
MCQhard

A technician is deploying a wireless network in a large warehouse. The warehouse has metal shelving and concrete walls. The technician needs to ensure coverage throughout the area. Which antenna type should be used for the access points to maximize coverage in this environment?

A.Omnidirectional antenna
B.Directional antenna
C.Dipole antenna
D.Rubber duck antenna
AnswerB

Directional antennas focus the signal in a specific direction, allowing better penetration through obstacles and longer range in targeted areas.

Why this answer

In an environment with obstacles like metal and concrete, omnidirectional antennas may not penetrate well. Directional antennas can focus the signal in a specific direction, helping to overcome obstacles and extend range. The correct answer is a directional antenna, such as a Yagi or panel antenna.

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26
MCQeasy

A company is setting up a new branch office with 50 workstations and needs to connect them to the existing corporate network across a city. The connection must be dedicated and provide consistent bandwidth. Which type of WAN hardware should be installed at the branch office?

A.A DSL modem
B.A cable modem
C.A CSU/DSU
D.A wireless access point
AnswerC

Correct. A Channel Service Unit/Data Service Unit is used to connect to a T1 or leased line, providing dedicated, consistent bandwidth.

Why this answer

This question tests knowledge of WAN hardware for dedicated connections. A CSU/DSU is used for T1 or leased lines, which provide dedicated bandwidth. Other options are for different connection types.

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27
MCQhard

A network administrator is deploying a new wireless network in a large office building. They need to ensure seamless roaming for users moving between floors. The building has concrete floors and metal studs. Which hardware configuration will best support this requirement?

A.Install multiple thick access points with overlapping channels.
B.Use a single high-power access point in the center of the building.
C.Deploy thin access points connected to a wireless LAN controller.
D.Use mesh access points with wireless backhaul.
AnswerC

Correct. Thin APs are managed by a controller that handles roaming, load balancing, and channel selection, ensuring seamless connectivity as users move.

Why this answer

This question tests advanced knowledge of wireless deployment and roaming. Thin access points with a wireless controller allow centralized management and fast roaming, as the controller coordinates handoffs between APs. Thick APs or standalone units do not support seamless roaming as effectively.

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28
MCQmedium

A company is setting up a guest wireless network in a conference room. They want to ensure that guests can access the internet but cannot communicate with internal corporate devices. The network uses a single router and a switch. Which configuration on the router will best achieve this?

A.Configure the router to use DHCP for the guest network.
B.Create a separate VLAN for the guest network and apply an ACL to block traffic to the internal network.
C.Disable the SSID broadcast for the guest network.
D.Use a wireless access point with a built-in firewall.
AnswerB

VLANs logically separate traffic, and ACLs on the router can block inter-VLAN communication, ensuring guests cannot access internal resources while still allowing internet access.

Why this answer

This question tests knowledge of VLANs and network segmentation. To isolate guest traffic from internal devices, the best practice is to create a separate VLAN for the guest network and configure access control lists (ACLs) to block inter-VLAN traffic. The correct answer is to set up a guest VLAN with an ACL that denies traffic to the internal subnet.

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29
MCQeasy

A user reports that their wired connection is intermittent. They are using a Cat5e cable connected to a 1000BASE-T switch. The link light on the switch port is blinking rapidly. What is the most likely cause of the intermittent connection?

A.The switch port is set to half-duplex
B.The cable is damaged or has a loose connector
C.The network card is configured for 10 Mbps
D.The switch is overloaded with traffic
AnswerB

A damaged cable or loose connector can cause intermittent connectivity, leading to rapid link light blinking as the link drops and re-establishes.

Why this answer

A rapidly blinking link light typically indicates traffic activity, but if the connection is intermittent, it could be due to a faulty cable or improper termination. However, the question specifies the link light is blinking rapidly, which is normal for active traffic. The intermittent issue might be from electromagnetic interference or a loose connection.

The correct answer is a faulty cable, as it's the most common cause of intermittent wired connections.

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30
MCQmedium

A technician is installing a new network switch in a server room. The switch has 48 ports and needs to connect to the existing network backbone via fiber optic cable. The technician has a 10GBASE-SR SFP+ module. Which type of fiber optic cable should be used to ensure compatibility?

A.Single-mode fiber (OS2)
B.Multimode fiber (OM3)
C.Cat6a twisted pair
D.Coaxial cable
AnswerB

10GBASE-SR is designed for multimode fiber, and OM3 supports 10 Gbps up to 300 meters.

Why this answer

10GBASE-SR is designed for multimode fiber (MMF) over short distances, typically up to 300 meters. Using single-mode fiber (SMF) would not work because the transceiver is optimized for multimode. The correct answer is multimode fiber (OM3 or OM4).

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