N10-008 CompTIA Network+ Exam Question and Answers

Port 25 is the port number that is commonly used for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), which is a protocol that allows sending and receiving email messages over a network1. Port 25 from the copier’s IP address should be allowed so that scanned documents can be emailed to recipients.

Port 22 is the port number that is commonly used for Secure Shell (SSH), which is a protocol that allows secure and encrypted remote access and control of a device over a network1. Port 22 from the copier’s IP address is not necessary for emailing scanned documents.

Port 53 is the port number that is commonly used for Domain Name System (DNS), which is a protocol that allows resolving domain names to IP addresses and vice versa on a network1. Port 53 from the copier’s IP address is not necessary for emailing scanned documents.

Port 80 is the port number that is commonly used for Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), which is a protocol that allows transferring web pages and other resources over a network1. Port 80 from the copier’s IP address is not necessary for emailing scanned documents.

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

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.

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

To determine which RJ45 jack in a patch panel corresponds to the RJ45 drop in the Chief Executive Officer’s office, the best tool for the network technician to use is a Cable tester. Here’s why:

• Fusion splicer: Used for joining optical fibers, not for identifying specific jacks.
• Cable tester: This tool helps verify cable continuity, identify wiring faults, and match connections between patch panels and drops.
• Tone generator: Used to trace cables by sending an audible tone through them, but it doesn’t directly identify specific jacks.
• Spectrum analyzer: Used for analyzing frequency components in signals, not for cable identification.

Therefore, the correct answer is B. Cable tester3.

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

 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

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

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.

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

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.

 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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

 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

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

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

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 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

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

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 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

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

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

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.

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

 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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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/

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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/

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

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

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

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 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

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

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 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

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

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

Confidentiality is the property of preventing unauthorized access or disclosure of data. Encryption is a method of transforming data into an unreadable format that can only be decrypted by authorized parties who have the correct key. Encryption can increase the confidentiality of data communication across the network by making it harder for attackers to intercept or eavesdrop on the data. References: Network+ Study Guide Objective 4.1: Summarize the purposes of physical security devices. Subobjective: Encryption.

Multifactor authentication is a method of verifying a user’s identity by requiring more than one factor, such as something the user knows, something the user has, or something the user is. A password is something the user knows, and a fingerprint is something the user is. Therefore, a user who needs to enter a password and scan a fingerprint is using multifactor authentication.

Shoulder surfing is the social engineering attack where an attacker watches a user log in to a corporate system and writes down the user’s log-in credentials. Social engineering is a type of attack that exploits human psychology and behavior to manipulate or trick people into revealing sensitive information or performing malicious actions. Shoulder surfing is a form of social engineering that involves observing or eavesdropping on someone’s screen, keyboard, or paper documents to obtain confidential information such as passwords, PINs, or credit card numbers. Shoulder surfing can be done in person or remotely using cameras or other devices. Shoulder surfing can be prevented by using privacy filters, locking screens, shielding keyboards, or being aware of one’s surroundings. References: [CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives], What Is Shoulder Surfing? | Definition & Examples | Forcepoint

• An access control list (ACL) is a set of rules that defines which traffic is allowed or denied on a network device, such as a router or a firewall12.
• An ACL can be used to filter traffic based on various criteria, such as source or destination IP address, port number, protocol, or time of day12.
• By implementing an ACL on the edge router of the network, the network administrator can block the unauthorized IP address from entering the secure part of the network every night at 8:00 pm12.
• This solution would address the concerns of the network administrator, as it would prevent the unauthorized IP address from accessing the critical server or any other resource on the secure network12.
• Changing the VLAN of the web server (A) or changing the server’s IP address (B) would not stop the unauthorized IP address from entering the network, as it could still scan the network for other open ports or vulnerabilities12.
• Instating a rule on the firewall connected to the web server (D) would only protect the web server, but not the rest of the secure network, from the unauthorized IP address12. References:
• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, Chapter 4: Network Operations, Section 4.3: Network Security Devices and Technologies, pp. 212-213.
• Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course, Section 4.3: Network Security Devices and Technologies, Video: Access Control Lists.

The security principle of least privilege states that users or processes should only have the minimum level of access or permissions required to perform their tasks. This reduces the risk of unauthorized or malicious actions, as well as the impact of potential breaches. In this scenario, the systems operator is granted access to only the applications that are relevant to their role, and denied access to the applications that are not. This is an example of applying the least privilege principle. References:

• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, Chapter 7: Network Security Concepts and Tools, Section 7.1: Common Security Concepts, Subsection: Least Privilege1
• Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course, Section 7.1: Common Security Concepts, Video: Least Privilege2

802.11n is the best choice for setting up a wireless connection that utilizes MIMO on non-overlapping channels. 802.11n is a wireless standard that offers faster speeds and longer range than previous standards. 802.11n uses multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology, which allows multiple antennas to transmit and receive multiple spatial streams of data simultaneously. MIMO can improve wireless performance, reliability, and capacity by exploiting multipath propagation and spatial diversity. 802.11n also uses non-overlapping channels in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands to avoid interference and increase bandwidth. Non-overlapping channels are channels that do not share any part of their frequency spectrum with other channels. References: [CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives], 802.11n - Wikipedia

BGP stands for Border Gateway Protocol and it is used to exchange routing information between autonomous systems (AS) on the Internet. A perimeter router is a router that connects an AS to another AS or to the Internet. Therefore, BGP is the best suited routing protocol for a perimeter router.

References: Network+ Study Guide Objective 2.4: Compare and contrast the characteristics of network topologies, types and technologies.

For a new global ISP to connect from central offices in North America to the United Kingdom, the best cabling solution would be single-mode fiber optic cable. Single-mode fiber optic cable is a type of cable that is used to transmit data over long distances using light signals. It is typically used in long-haul communication networks, such as those that connect different countries or continents.

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

References:

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

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

The best option for the administrator to take would be to attempt to connect to the site via IP address. This will help to determine if the issue is related to the website's DNS address or if the site itself is not accessible. Checking for certificate issues may be necessary, but this should be done after the administrator has attempted to connect to the site via IP address. Contacting the ISP is unnecessary since the issue is related to the website inside of the company network, and checking the NTP configuration is not relevant to this issue.

When a customer is having issues connecting to a website using a URL, one of the first troubleshooting steps a network administrator should take is attempting to connect to the site using the IP address of the website. This will help to determine if the issue is related to a DNS resolution problem or a connectivity problem. If the administrator is able to connect to the website using the IP address, then the issue may be related to a DNS problem. However, if the administrator is still unable to connect, then the issue may be related to a connectivity problem. In either case, further troubleshooting steps will be necessary. Checking for certificate issues or NTP configuration, and contacting the ISP would not be the BEST initial steps in this scenario.

The user’s workstation does not support 802.11 ax, which is the technical name for Wi-Fi 6. Wi-Fi 6 is a new wireless standard that offers faster speeds, higher capacity, and lower latency than previous standards. However, to take advantage of these benefits, both the router and the workstation need to support Wi-Fi 6. If the workstation only supports an older standard, such as 802.11 ac or Wi-Fi 5, then the throughput will not increase even if the router supports Wi-Fi 6. References: [CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives], What is Wi-Fi 6? Here’s what you need to know | PCWorld

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.

The best option for the administrator to take would be to attempt to connect to the site via IP address. This will help to determine if the issue is related to the website's DNS address or if the site itself is not accessible. Checking for certificate issues may be necessary, but this should be done after the administrator has attempted to connect to the site via IP address. Contacting the ISP is unnecessary since the issue is related to the website inside of the company network, and checking the NTP configuration is not relevant to this issue.

When a customer is having issues connecting to a website using a URL, one of the first troubleshooting steps a network administrator should take is attempting to connect to the site using the IP address of the website. This will help to determine if the issue is related to a DNS resolution problem or a connectivity problem. If the administrator is able to connect to the website using the IP address, then the issue may be related to a DNS problem. However, if the administrator is still unable to connect, then the issue may be related to a connectivity problem. In either case, further troubleshooting steps will be necessary. Checking for certificate issues or NTP configuration, and contacting the ISP would not be the BEST initial steps in this scenario.

• 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

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

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

The other options are not likely to cause the issue:

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

References:

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

If a network client is trying to connect to the wrong TCP port, the most likely response it would receive is a RST (reset) packet from the server. A RST packet is used to terminate a TCP connection abruptly, either because the server does not recognize the port number, or because the server has no application listening on that port, or because the server detects an error or an attack on the connection. A RST packet tells the client to stop sending any more data and close the connection immediately12

The other options are not as likely to be the responses for connecting to the wrong TCP port. A FIN (finish) packet is used to gracefully end a TCP connection, after both parties have exchanged all the data they need. A FIN packet indicates that the sender has no more data to send and is ready to close the connection. A FIN packet does not imply an error or a rejection, but rather a normal termination of the connection12

An ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) Time Exceeded message is used to inform the sender that a packet has been discarded because its time to live (TTL) value has reached zero. A TTL value is a counter that decrements by one every time a packet passes through a router. When the TTL value reaches zero, the packet is dropped and an ICMP Time Exceeded message is sent back to the sender. This message is used to prevent packets from looping endlessly in the network, and also to implement the traceroute tool, which shows the path and the hops that a packet takes to reach a destination. An ICMP Time Exceeded message is not related to the TCP port number, but rather to the IP routing and the TTL value3

A Redirect message is another type of ICMP message that is used to inform the sender that there is a better route to the destination. A Redirect message is sent by a router when it receives a packet from a host on the same network, and forwards the packet to another router on the same network. A Redirect message tells the sender to use the second router as the next hop, instead of the first router, to optimize the routing and avoid unnecessary hops. A Redirect message is also not related to the TCP port number, but rather to the IP routing and the network topology3

References:

• What causes a TCP/IP reset (RST) flag to be sent?
• RFC 792: Internet Control Message Protocol

Port security is a feature that can be configured on a switch interface to limit and identify the MAC addresses of workstations that are allowed to connect to that specific port. This can help ensure that only a specific workstation (or workstations) can connect to the interface. According to the CompTIA Network+ Study Manual, “Port security can be used to specify which MAC addresses are allowed to connect to a particular switch port. If a port security violation is detected, the switch can take a number of different actions, such as shutting down the port, sending an SNMP trap, or sending an email alert.”

802.11ax is the latest and most advanced wireless standard, providing higher speeds, lower latency, and more capacity than previous standards. It also supports OFDMA, which allows multiple devices to share a channel and reduce congestion. The other options are older standards that have lower bandwidth, range, and efficiency than 802.11ax. Therefore, 802.11ax is the best option for the coffee shop owner who wants to provide high speeds even when the network is congested.

To troubleshoot high latency issues when accessing web servers, a technician should use tools like ping, nmap, and traceroute. Ping can verify the reachability of a server and measure round-trip time. Nmap can scan for open ports and detect services running on the server. Traceroute can identify the path traffic takes to reach the server and pinpoint where delays occur. References: CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives1.

• A directional WAP is a wireless access point that emits a focused signal in a specific direction, rather than a circular or omnidirectional pattern12.
• A directional WAP can help to improve the wireless coverage and performance in a targeted area, such as an outdoor patio, while minimizing the signal leakage and interference in other areas, such as the building interior12.
• A directional WAP can also reduce the exposure to external interference and noise from other sources, such as neighboring networks or devices12.
• Disabling the SSID broadcast on the WAP in the patio area would not prevent the signal from bleeding into the building, nor would it improve the connectivity for the users. It would only make the network name invisible to casual scanners, but not to determined attackers3.
• Installing a WAP and enabling 5GHz only within the patio area would not prevent the signal from bleeding into the building, nor would it improve the connectivity for the users with older devices. The 5GHz band has a shorter range and a higher attenuation rate than the 2.4GHz band, which means it is more susceptible to obstacles and interference. Moreover, some older devices may not support the 5GHz band at all4.
• Installing a repeater on the back wall of the patio area would not prevent the signal from bleeding into the building, nor would it improve the connectivity for the users. A repeater is a device that amplifies and retransmits a wireless signal, but it also introduces latency and reduces bandwidth. A repeater does not change the direction or shape of the signal, so it would not help to isolate the patio area from the building5. References:
• [CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide], Chapter 2: Wireless Networks, Section: Wireless Access Points
• [Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes], Page 15: Wireless Access Points
• [CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide], Chapter 2: Wireless Networks, Section: SSID Broadcast
• [Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes], Page 14: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Frequencies
• [CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide], Chapter 2: Wireless Networks, Section: Wireless Repeaters

A screened subnet is a network segment that is isolated from both the internal and external networks by firewalls or routers. It is used to host publicly accessible servers that need some protection from external attacks, but also need to be separated from the internal network for security reasons.

References

• 1: Seven-Second Subnetting – N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 1.4
• 2: CompTIA Network+ Study Guide: Exam N10-008, 5th Edition, page 56
• 3: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Exam Subnetting Quiz, question 22

According to the network troubleshooting methodology, the first step a network administrator should take is to identify the problem. This involves gathering information from the users, the network devices, and the symptoms of the issue. Identifying the problem helps to narrow down the scope and the possible causes of the network issue.

References

• 1: Network troubleshooting methodology | CompTIA Network+ N10-008 …
• 2: Chapter 21. A Network Troubleshooting Methodology - CompTIA Network+ …
• 3: Network Troubleshooting Methodology – N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 5.1

SLAAC (Stateless Address Autoconfiguration) is a method used by devices in an IPv6 network to configure their own IP addresses automatically using the link-local address and the network prefix that are advertised by routers. An error stating that there is an identical IP address already in use could occur if two devices on the network have duplicate MAC addresses. Since IPv6 addresses generated by SLAAC include the MAC address in the EUI-64 format, duplicate MAC addresses would result in identical IPv6 addresses. Options such as rogue DHCP server, incorrect router advertisement, and wrong VLAN assignment do not typically result in duplicate IP address conflicts under SLAAC since the address configuration is primarily derived from the MAC address​​.

• A network interface can drop packets due to various reasons, such as congestion, errors, misconfiguration, or hardware issues.
• OID duplication and MIB mismatch are not likely causes of packet drops, as they are related to SNMP management and monitoring, not to the actual data transmission.
• Encapsulation errors can cause packet drops, but they are usually detected and corrected by the lower layers of the OSI model, such as the data link layer or the physical layer. If the cable and interfaces are in working order, then encapsulation errors are unlikely.
• CPU usage, on the other hand, can directly affect the performance of a network interface, especially if it is integrated with the motherboard or the device. A high CPU usage can indicate that the device is overloaded with processing tasks, such as routing, filtering, encryption, or compression. This can result in packet drops, as the device cannot handle the incoming or outgoing traffic efficiently.
• Therefore, the most likely cause of packet drops in this scenario is CPU usage, and the technician should check the device’s CPU utilization and try to reduce it by optimizing the configuration, upgrading the hardware, or distributing the load to other devices. References:
• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, Chapter 5: Network Troubleshooting Methodology and Tools, page 247
• Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes, Section 2.1: Network Interface Metrics, page 17

BGP stands for Border Gateway Protocol, and it is a routing protocol that is used to exchange routing information between different autonomous systems (AS) on the Internet. An AS is a network or a group of networks that are under the same administrative control and share a common routing policy. BGP is used to create routes between local area networks and Internet service providers (ISPs), as well as between different ISPs. BGP is considered an exterior gateway protocol (EGP), as opposed to an interior gateway protocol (IGP) such as EIGRP, RIP, or OSPF, which are used to create routes within an AS. References: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Cert Guide, Chapter 3, Section 3.4

QIESTION NO: 770

Users are unable to access files on their department share located on flle_server 2. The network administrator has been tasked with validating routing between networks hosting workstation A and file server 2.

INSTRUCTIONS

Click on each router to review output, identity any Issues, and configure the appropriate solution

If at any time you would like to bring back the initial state of trie simulation, please click the reset All button;

Answer: See the solution configuration below in Explanation.

A MAC filter list is a security feature that allows or denies access to a wireless network based on the MAC address of the device. A MAC address is a unique identifier assigned to a network interface card (NIC) at the physical layer of the OSI model. However, MAC filtering operates at the data link layer of the OSI model, where MAC addresses are used to encapsulate and deliver data frames between devices on the same network segment.

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.

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

 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

802.11b (Wi-Fi 1)

11 Mbps

100 meter maximum effective range

802.11a (Wi-Fi 2)

54 Mbps

50 meter maximum effective range

It is most likely that the issue is caused by port security, as this is a feature that can prevent new devices from connecting to the LAN. Port tagging, port aggregation, and port mirroring are all features that are used to manage traffic on the network, but they are not related to the connectivity of new devices. If the technician has configured port security on the network and the new PC does not meet the security requirements, it will not be able to connect to the LAN.

Out of band management is a process for accessing and managing network devices and infrastructure at remote locations through a separate management plane from the production network. Out of band management requires network devices to be managed using a different set of IP addresses than the ones used for in-band management or data traffic. This provides a secure and dedicated alternate access method to administer connected devices and IT assets without using the corporate LAN.

• 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

• An optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) is a device that can measure the characteristics of an optical fiber, such as its length, attenuation, and splice points12.
• An OTDR works by sending a pulse of light into one end of the fiber and measuring the amount of light that is reflected back at different intervals12.
• By analyzing the reflected light, an OTDR can determine the distance to any faults or breaks in the fiber, as well as the overall quality of the fiber12.
• An OTDR can also provide a graphical representation of the fiber, called a trace, that shows the attenuation and reflection along the fiber12.
• Using an OTDR can reduce repair time because it can quickly and accurately locate the fault point in the fiber, without requiring access to both ends of the fiber12.
• The other options are not suitable for testing fiber optic cables:

References:

• 1: Optical Fiber - N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 1.3
• 2: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Full Course for Beginners - Fiber Optic Cabling and Connectors
• 3: Wire Crimpers and Testers - N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 1.3
• 4: Multimeter - N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 1.3
• 5: Spectrum Analyzer - N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 1.3

 Implementing directional antennas on AP1 and AP2 is the best step for the technician to take to resolve the issue of undesired RSSI in the parking lot and other exterior areas near the building. RSSI stands for received signal strength indicator, which is a measure of how well a device can receive a wireless signal from an access point (AP). An AP is a device that provides wireless connectivity to a network. An antenna is a device that radiates or receives electromagnetic waves. A directional antenna is an antenna that focuses the wireless signal in a specific direction, resulting in higher gain and longer range. By using directional antennas on AP1 and AP2, which are located near the exterior walls of the building, the technician can reduce the wireless signal leakage to the outside areas and improve the wireless coverage inside the building. References: [CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives], What Is RSSI and How Does It Affect Wireless Networks?, Directional Antennas: Everything You Need to Know

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

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

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

References:

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

Additional Notes:

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

• 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

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.

MAC filtering is a method of allowing only company-owned devices to associate with the network by using their MAC addresses as identifiers. A MAC address is a unique identifier assigned to each network interface card (NIC) by the manufacturer. MAC filtering can be configured on the wireless access point to allow or deny access based on the MAC address of the device. This way, only devices with known MAC addresses can connect to the network. References: https://www.comptia.org/training/books/network-n10-008-study-guide (page 323)

• An evil twin is a type of rogue access point that mimics a legitimate one by using the same SSID, encryption, and authentication settings.
• An attacker can set up an evil twin near a corporate network and trick users into connecting to it instead of the real one.
• Once connected, the attacker can intercept the user’s network traffic, capture their credentials, and launch other attacks such as phishing, malware injection, or man-in-the-middle.
• To prevent evil twin attacks, network administrators should use strong encryption and authentication methods, such as WPA2-Enterprise with 802.1x, and monitor the wireless spectrum for any unauthorized access points. References:
• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Exam Common Attack Types Quiz
• Rogue Access Points and Evil Twins - SY0-601 CompTIA Security+ : 1.4 - Professor Messer IT Certification Training Courses
• CompTIA Network+ (N10-008) Practice Test Questions

The availability concept that the network technician should consider when selecting new network hardware is RTO (Recovery Time Objective). RTO is a metric that defines the maximum acceptable time for restoring a system or service after a disruption or failure. RTO is based on the impact and cost of downtime for the business and its customers. RTO helps determine the level of redundancy and backup needed for network hardware to ensure high availability and minimize downtime. References: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, page 346; The Official CompTIA Network+ Student Guide (Exam N10-008), page 13-9.

Port mirroring is a feature that allows a switch to copy the traffic from one or more ports to another port, where a network analyzer or a monitoring device can capture and analyze the traffic. Port mirroring is useful for troubleshooting and security purposes, as it allows the network engineer to see the traffic that is passing through the switch without affecting the normal operation of the network.

References

• 1: Port Mirroring - CompTIA Network+ Certification (N10-008): The Total Course [Video]
• 2: CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives, page 5
• 3: CompTIA Network+ N10-005: 2.1 – Port Mirroring - Professor Messer IT Certification Training Courses
• 4: CompTIA Network+ N10-005: 1.4 – Port Mirroring

Installing cameras in the server room is the best solution to identify who is responsible for the equipment being moved and misplaced. Cameras provide a way to monitor the server room in real time and can be used to identify suspicious activity. Additionally, they provide a way to review past activity and allow you to review footage to determine who may be responsible for the misplacement of equipment.

DHCP scope exhaustion means that there are no more available IP addresses in the DHCP server’s pool of addresses to assign to new devices on the network. When this happens, the devices will use APIPA (Automatic Private IP Addressing) to self-configure an IP address in the range of 169.254.0.1 to 169.254.255.2541. These addresses are not routable and can only communicate with other devices on the same local network.

A rogue DHCP server (A) is an unauthorized DHCP server that can cause IP address conflicts or security issues by assigning IP addresses to devices on the network. A network collision (B) is a situation where two or more devices try to send data on the same network segment at the same time, causing interference and data loss. Incorrect DNS settings © can prevent devices from resolving domain names to IP addresses, but they do not affect the DHCP process.

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

According to the network troubleshooting methodology, the first step a network administrator should take is to identify the problem. This involves gathering information from the users, the network devices, and the symptoms of the issue. Identifying the problem helps to narrow down the scope and the possible causes of the network issue.

References

• 1: Network troubleshooting methodology | CompTIA Network+ N10-008 …
• 2: Chapter 21. A Network Troubleshooting Methodology - CompTIA Network+ …
• 3: Network Troubleshooting Methodology – N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 5.1

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

A site-to-site VPN is a method that creates a secure and encrypted connection between two internet gateways, such as routers or firewalls, that belong to different networks1. A site-to-site VPN can secure all traffic between a branch office and its data center by creating a virtual tunnel that protects the data from interception or tampering. A site-to-site VPN can also provide a zero-touch experience for all staff members who work there, as they do not need to install any software or configure any settings on their devices to access the data center resources. They can simply use their local network as if they were physically connected to the data center network.

VNC (Virtual Network Computing) is a method that allows remote access and control of a computer’s desktop from another device over a network2. VNC can enable staff members to work remotely by accessing their office computers from their home computers or mobile devices. However, VNC does not secure all traffic between a branch office and its data center, as it only works at the application layer and does not encrypt the network layer. VNC also does not provide a zero-touch experience for staff members, as they need to install software and configure settings on both the host and the client devices.

Remote desktop gateway is a method that allows remote access and control of a computer’s desktop from another device over a network using the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). Remote desktop gateway can also enable staff members to work remotely by accessing their office computers from their home computers or mobile devices. However, remote desktop gateway does not secure all traffic between a branch office and its data center, as it only works at the application layer and does not encrypt the network layer. Remote desktop gateway also does not provide a zero-touch experience for staff members, as they need to install software and configure settings on both the host and the client devices.

Virtual LANs (VLANs) are methods that create logical subdivisions of a physical network based on criteria such as function, department, or security level. VLANs can improve network performance, security, and management by reducing broadcast domains, isolating traffic, and enforcing policies. However, VLANs do not secure all traffic between a branch office and its data center, as they only work at the data link layer and do not encrypt the network layer. VLANs also do not provide a zero-touch experience for staff members, as they need to configure settings on their network devices to join or leave a VLAN.

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

• A disaster recovery plan is a document that outlines the procedures and steps to restore the normal operations of a network in the event of a disaster, such as a fire, flood, power outage, cyberattack, or human error. It includes the roles and responsibilities of the staff, the backup and recovery strategies, the communication channels, the testing and maintenance schedules, and the inventory of the network assets and resources. A disaster recovery plan needs to be updated to reflect any changes in the network topology, configuration, or equipment, such as the installation of an additional IDF (Intermediate Distribution Frame), which is a wiring closet that connects the MDF (Main Distribution Frame) to the end devices. Updating the disaster recovery plan ensures that the network administrator has the most accurate and current information to restore the network in case of a disaster.
• A physical network diagram is a visual representation of the physical layout and connections of the network devices, such as routers, switches, firewalls, servers, workstations, printers, and cables. It shows the location, name, IP address, MAC address, and port number of each device, as well as the type, length, and color of each cable. A physical network diagram needs to be updated to reflect any changes in the network infrastructure, such as the installation of an additional IDF, which adds more devices and cables to the network. Updating the physical network diagram helps the network administrator to troubleshoot, monitor, and document the network performance and status.
• A data loss prevention policy is a document that defines the rules and guidelines to prevent the unauthorized access, disclosure, modification, or deletion of sensitive or confidential data on the network. It includes the classification of the data, the encryption and backup methods, the access control and authentication mechanisms, the audit and logging procedures, and the incident response and reporting protocols. A data loss prevention policy does not need to be updated to reflect the installation of an additional IDF, unless the IDF contains devices or cables that handle sensitive or confidential data, in which case the policy should specify the security measures and controls for those devices or cables.
• A BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy is a document that regulates the use of personal devices, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, or USB drives, on the network. It includes the requirements and restrictions for the devices, the network access and security policies, the user rights and responsibilities, the support and maintenance services, and the legal and ethical implications. A BYOD policy does not need to be updated to reflect the installation of an additional IDF, unless the IDF affects the network access or security of the personal devices, in which case the policy should clarify the impact and the actions for the users.
• An acceptable use policy is a document that specifies the rules and expectations for the appropriate and ethical use of the network resources and services by the users. It includes the purpose and scope of the network, the acceptable and unacceptable behaviors and activities, the consequences and penalties for violations, and the user acknowledgment and agreement. An acceptable use policy does not need to be updated to reflect the installation of an additional IDF, unless the IDF changes the purpose or scope of the network, in which case the policy should inform the users of the changes and the implications.
• A non-disclosure agreement is a legal contract that binds the parties involved in the network project or service to keep the confidential information secret and not to share it with any unauthorized third parties. It includes the definition and scope of the confidential information, the duration and termination of the agreement, the exceptions and exclusions, the remedies and damages, and the signatures and dates of the parties. A non-disclosure agreement does not need to be updated to reflect the installation of an additional IDF, unless the IDF involves confidential information that is not covered by the existing agreement, in which case the agreement should be amended or renewed to include the new information. References:
• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 3: Network Operations, Section 3.1: Explain the importance of documentation and diagrams, Page 131-136
• Professor Messer’s Network+ N10-008 Course Notes, Page 20
• Professor Messer’s Network+ N10-008 Video Training Course, Section 3.1: Network Documentation, Video 3.1.1: Network Documentation Types

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.

A physical diagram is a type of diagram that shows the physical layout and connections of the network devices and components, such as routers, switches, cables, and connectors. A physical diagram may include specifications about the fiber connector types, such as LC, SC, FC, ST, MPO, etc., that are used to link the fiber optic cables and devices. A physical diagram can help to visualize the network topology, troubleshoot network problems, and plan network changes

• A media converter is a device that allows you to interconnect different types of network media, such as copper, fiber, and coaxial cables.
• A media converter can be used to connect newer network technologies, such as Gigabit Ethernet or ATM, to existing networks, such as 10BASE-T or 100BASE-T.
• A media converter can also be used to extend the distance and improve the immunity of network signals by converting them from electrical to optical or vice versa.
• A proxy server, an industrial control system, and a load balancer are not devices that can connect different physical characteristics of network media. They have different functions and purposes in a network.
• A proxy server is a device that acts as an intermediary between a client and a server, providing security, caching, and filtering services.
• An industrial control system is a system that monitors and controls industrial processes, such as manufacturing, power generation, and transportation.
• A load balancer is a device that distributes network traffic across multiple servers, improving performance and availability. References:
• Media Converters – CompTIA Network+ N10-006 – 1.5
• Transceivers (Media Converters) | Network+ Exam Cram: Networking Devices in Modern Networks

An NDA, or non-disclosure agreement, is a legal contract that binds an employee to keep certain information confidential and not share it with unauthorized parties. This information may include trade secrets, intellectual property, business strategies, customer data, or other sensitive or proprietary information that gives the company a competitive advantage. An NDA protects the company’s interests and prevents the employee from disclosing or using the information for personal gain or malicious purposes1.

References1 - 10 Types of Employment Contracts | Indeed.com

The difference between piggybacking and tailgaiting is that with piggybacking, the person is willfully and intentionally letting you in. In this particular case, the person caught the door before it closed, so it is tailgating.

Tailgating is a physical security attack that occurs when an unauthorized person follows an authorized person through a secured door or gate without their knowledge or consent. Tailgating can allow an attacker to bypass access control mechanisms and gain entry to restricted areas or resources. Tailgating can also pose a safety risk for the authorized person and other occupants of the facility.

Piggybacking is a physical security attack that occurs when an unauthorized person follows an authorized person through a secured door or gate with their knowledge or consent. Piggybacking can also allow an attacker to bypass access control mechanisms and gain entry to restricted areas or resources. Piggybacking can also violate security policies and compromise the accountability of the authorized person.

Shoulder surfing is a physical security attack that occurs when an unauthorized person observes or records an authorized person’s confidential information, such as passwords, PINs, or credit card numbers. Shoulder surfing can allow an attacker to steal credentials and access sensitive data or systems. Shoulder surfing can also violate privacy and confidentiality rights of the authorized person.

Phishing is a cyber security attack that occurs when an unauthorized person sends fraudulent emails or messages that appear to come from legitimate sources, such as banks, companies, or government agencies. Phishing can trick recipients into clicking on malicious links, opening malicious attachments, or providing personal or financial information. Phishing can allow an attacker to install malware, steal credentials, or perform identity theft. Phishing does not involve physical access to secured doors or gates.

OSPF stands for Open Shortest Path First and is a link-state routing protocol that uses Dijkstra’s algorithm to calculate the lowest cost between routers. OSPF assigns a cost value to each link based on factors such as bandwidth, delay, or reliability, and builds a map of the network topology. OSPF then uses Dijkstra’s algorithm to find the shortest path from each router to every other router in the network1. RIP stands for Routing Information Protocol and is a distance-vector routing protocol that uses hop count as the metric to find the best path. BGP stands for Border Gateway Protocol and is a path-vector routing protocol that uses attributes such as AS path, local preference, or origin to select the best route. EIGRP stands for Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol and is a hybrid routing protocol that uses a composite metric based on bandwidth, delay, load, and reliability.

References: 1 Dijkstra’s algorithm - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dijkstra%27s_algorithm)

To prevent IP address conflicts when allocating a portion of a DHCP scope's subnet for statically assigned devices, it is recommended to use the concept of DHCP exclusion ranges. DHCP exclusion ranges allow a DHCP administrator to specify a range of IP addresses within the scope that should not be assigned to DHCP clients. This can be useful in situations where some devices on the network need to be assigned static IP addresses, as it ensures that the statically assigned addresses do not overlap with addresses assigned by the DHCP server. To set up a DHCP exclusion range, the administrator needs to specify the start and end IP addresses of the range, as well as the subnet mask. The DHCP server will then exclude the specified range of addresses from its pool of available addresses, and will not assign them to DHCP clients. By using DHCP exclusion ranges, the technician can ensure that the statically assigned addresses do not conflict with addresses assigned by the DHCP server, and can prevent IP address conflicts on the network.

Anthony Sequeira

"Another frequent configuration you might make in a DHCP implementation is to configure an exclusion range. This is a portion of the address pool that you never want leased out to clients in the network. Perhaps you have numbered your servers 192.168.1.1–192.168.1.10. Because the servers are statically configured with these addresses, you exclude these addresses from the 192.168.1.0/24 pool of addresses."

Mike Meyers

"Exclusion ranges represent an IP address or range of IP addresses from the pool of addresses that are not to be given out by the DHCP server. Exclusions should be made for the static addresses manually configured on servers and router interfaces, so these IP addresses won’t be offered to DHCP clients."

Jitter is the variation in the time between packets arriving, caused by network congestion, timing drift, or route changes. In the context of VoIP, jitter is especially problematic because it affects the steady stream of packet delivery needed for coherent voice communication. When packets are received out of order, the audio can become jumbled and distorted, as the packets don't arrive in the sequence needed for correct playback. Jitter is the specific network metric responsible for causing the symptoms described in the scenario, whereas bandwidth, latency, and delay could contribute to network performance issues but would not specifically cause packets to be received out of order​​.

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

Creating a plan of action is the step of the troubleshooting methodology that would most likely include checking through each level of the OSI model after the problem has been identified. According to the web search results, the troubleshooting methodology consists of the following steps: 12

• Define the problem: Identify the symptoms and scope of the problem, and gather relevant information from users, devices, and logs.
• Establish a theory: Based on the information collected, hypothesize one or more possible causes of the problem, and rank them in order of probability.
• Test the theory: Test the most probable cause first, and if it is not confirmed, eliminate it and test the next one. Repeat this process until the root cause is found or a new theory is needed.
• Create a plan of action: Based on the confirmed cause, devise a solution that can resolve the problem with minimal impact and risk. The solution may involve checking through each level of the OSI model to ensure that all layers are functioning properly and that there are no configuration errors, physical damages, or logical inconsistencies34
• Implement the solution: Execute the plan of action, and monitor the results. If the problem is not solved, revert to the previous state and create a new plan of action.
• Verify functionality: Confirm that the problem is fully resolved and that the network is restored to normal operation. Perform preventive measures if possible to avoid recurrence of the problem.
• Document the findings: Record the problem description, the solution, and the outcome. Update any relevant documentation, such as network diagrams, policies, or procedures.

References1: Troubleshooting Methods for Cisco IP Networks 2: Troubleshooting Methodologies - CBT IT Certification Training 3: How to use the OSI Model to Troubleshoot Networks 4: How is the OSI model used in troubleshooting? – Sage-Answer

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

DHCP scope exhaustion occurs when the number of available IP addresses to be leased from a DHCP server have been used up. This could be caused by a large number of clients on the network, or a misconfigured DHCP scope. When this happens, clients will be assigned an IP address from the APIPA range (169.254.0.0 to 169.254.255.255). To resolve this issue, the DHCP scope needs to be expanded or adjusted to accommodate the number of clients on the network.

• The question asks about the benefit of the spine-and-leaf network topology, which is a data center network design that consists of two layers of switches: the spine layer and the leaf layer. The spine layer interconnects all the leaf switches in a full-mesh topology, and the leaf layer connects to the servers and end devices1.
• The answer is stable network latency, which means the delay or time it takes for a packet to travel from one point to another in the network. In a spine-and-leaf topology, every leaf switch is the same number of hops away from any other leaf switch, which ensures consistent and predictable latency for the traffic between the servers and devices2. This is especially important for applications that require high performance and low latency, such as cloud computing, big data analytics, and virtualization3.
• Increased network security, simplified network management, and eliminated need for inter-VLAN routing are not the correct answers, because they are not the benefits of the spine-and-leaf topology. Increased network security depends on other factors, such as encryption, authentication, and firewall policies, not just the network topology. Simplified network management may be achieved by using automation and orchestration tools, but the spine-and-leaf topology itself may require more cabling and configuration than a traditional three-tier topology. Eliminated need for inter-VLAN routing is not a benefit, because inter-VLAN routing is still needed to communicate between different VLANs or subnets in the network, regardless of the topology. References:
• Spine-Leaf Architecture
• Spine-Leaf Architecture - GeeksforGeeks
• What is Spine-Leaf Architecture and How Does It Work? - Aruba
• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide

Using the cloud as a redundant data center means that the company does not need to invest in building and maintaining a physical backup site, which can be costly and time-consuming. Instead, the company can pay for the cloud services as needed, which can reduce the initial capital expenses and operational costs. However, this does not mean that the other options are true. Changing cloud providers may not be easy due to compatibility, contractual, or regulatory issues. Security for company data may not be better in the cloud, depending on the cloud provider’s policies and practices. The need for backups is not eliminated, as the cloud data still needs to be protected from loss, corruption, or unauthorized access.

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 using the cloud as a redundant data center.
• 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 cloud computing or data centers.
• 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 3.0: Network Operations, Objective 3.4: Given a scenario, use appropriate resources to support configuration management, Subobjective 3.4.2: Cloud-based configuration management, https://www.comptia.jp/pdf/comptia-network-n10-008-exam-objectives.pdf
• : Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology & Architecture, Chapter 9: Fundamental Cloud Security, Section 9.1: Cloud Security Threats, https://ptgmedia.pearsoncmg.com/images/9780133387520/samplepages/9780133387520.pdf
• : Cloud Computing: Principles and Paradigms, Chapter 19: Data Protection and Disaster Recovery for Cloud Computing, Section 19.1: Introduction, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/9780470940105.ch19

SSL is a widely used protocol for establishing secure, encrypted connections between devices over the Internet. It is typically used to secure communication between web browsers and servers, and can be easily enabled on a server by installing an SSL certificate.

• A VLAN interface is a virtual interface that can be assigned to a VLAN and configured with an IP address and other parameters. It can be used to enable inter-VLAN routing, management access, or firewall filtering on a device.
• A hub is a device that connects multiple devices in a network and broadcasts all incoming traffic to all ports. It does not support VLANs or routing functions. Therefore, option A is incorrect.
• A layer 3 switch is a device that combines the functions of a layer 2 switch and a router. It can forward frames based on MAC addresses and packets based on IP addresses. It can also support multiple VLAN interfaces and enable inter-VLAN routing without the need for an external router. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
• A bridge is a device that connects two network segments and forwards frames based on MAC addresses. It can reduce collisions and increase bandwidth, but it does not support VLANs or routing functions. Therefore, option C is incorrect.
• A load balancer is a device that distributes incoming traffic among multiple servers or devices based on various criteria. It can improve performance, availability, and scalability of a network service. It can support VLANs, but it does not have multiple VLAN interfaces. Therefore, option D is incorrect.

References:

• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 2: Network Devices, pages 51-52, 55-56, 59-60, 63-64.
• Professor Messer’s Network+ Video Course, Section 1.1: Network Devices, videos 1.1.1 - 1.1.4, 1.1.6, 1.1.7, 1.1.9.
• Cisco: Configuring InterVLAN Routing

Notifications are the lowest logging level and will provide the desired information regarding switch port up/down activity. According to the CompTIA Network+ Study Manual, notifications "are used for logging normal activities, such as port up/down events, link changes, and link flaps."

Port security is a feature that allows network administrators to limit the number of devices that can connect to a switch port, based on the MAC address of the device. This can prevent unauthorized physical connectivity by blocking any device that is not on the allowed list or exceeding the maximum number of devices per port. Port security can also trigger an action, such as shutting down the port or sending an alert, when a violation occurs. References: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Cert Guide - O’Reilly Media, Chapter 14: Securing a Basic Network, page 512

"Benefits of Voice VLAN

It ensures that your VoIP (Voice over Internet Phone) devices do not have to contend directly with all the broadcasts and other traffic from the data VLAN. A voice VLAN can simplify network configuration in some circumstances."

https://community.fs.com/blog/auto-voip-vs-voice-vlan-what-s-the-difference.html

Jumbo Frames

"When jumbo frames on a VoIP/UC network are enabled, it can cause the same kind of delay to your network transmissions."

"VoIP uses will always not benefit from jumbo frame, as VoIP like gaming, is latency and time sensitive. Jumbo Frame for Internet Purpose: You will not see any performance boost as the files that came across the internet does not support jumbo frame."

https://www.ankmax.com/newsinfo/1358641.html#:~:text=VoIP%20uses%20will%20always%20not,does%20not%20support%20jumbo%20frame.

"To summarize this general best practice guide, you should NOT enable jumbo frame feature as a general home user."

 The size of a rack for installation depends on several factors, such as the available space, the power and cooling requirements, and the dimensions of the equipment to be installed. Two of the most important dimensions to consider are the switch depth and the server height. Switch depth refers to the length of the switch from front to back, which determines how much space is needed inside the rack. Server height refers to the vertical space occupied by the server, which is measured in rack units (RU) or U. One rack unit is equal to 1.75 inches. The height of the rack should be able to accommodate the total number of rack units needed for the servers and other devices, as well as some extra space for cable management and airflow. References: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Cert Guide, Chapter 2, Section 2.5

The best security measure to implement when removing a computer from a cubicle is to remove the employee’s network access. This will prevent the employee from accessing any network resources or data from the computer, as well as prevent any unauthorized users from using the computer to access the network. Removing the employee’s network access can be done by deleting or disabling the user account, revoking the credentials, or changing the permissions.

The other options are not as effective or necessary as removing the employee’s network access. They are:

•Disabling DHCP on the computer being removed will prevent the computer from obtaining an IP address from the network, but it will not prevent the computer from using a static IP address or accessing the network through another device.

•Placing the switch port in a private VLAN will isolate the computer from other devices on the network, but it will not prevent the computer from accessing the network through another port or device.

•Applying a firewall rule to block the computer’s IP address will prevent the computer from communicating with the network, but it will not prevent the computer from changing its IP address or accessing the network through another device.

References

1: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Cert Guide - O’Reilly Media

2: Network+ (Plus) Certification | CompTIA IT Certifications

3: 10 Ways to Secure Office Workstations - Computer Security

Channel overlap is a situation where multiple wireless networks use the same or adjacent frequency channels, causing interference and degradation of performance. According to the image, the corporate SSID is using channels 9, 10, 11, and 6, which are overlapping with each other and with other networks in the area. This can reduce the signal quality and strength, increase the noise and latency, and cause dropouts and connectivity issues. To avoid channel overlap, it is recommended to use non-overlapping channels, such as 1, 6, and 11, in the 2.4 GHz band, or to switch to the 5 GHz band if possible12.

References

1 - What happens when wifi channels overlap? - Server Fault

2 - Is it better to use a crowded 2.4GHz Wi-Fi channel 1, 6, 11 or “unused” 3, 4, 8, or 9? - Super User

• The question asks about the next step to perform network troubleshooting after identifying an issue, which is the first step in the CompTIA Network+ troubleshooting methodology12.
• The second step is to establish a theory of probable cause, which involves analyzing the symptoms, researching the knowledge base, and identifying the most likely reasons for the issue12.
• The other options are not the correct next step, as they occur later in the troubleshooting process:
• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 1, Section 1.7, Troubleshooting Methodology, page 351
• Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes, Section 1.7, Troubleshooting Methodology, page 72

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

Multiprotocol Label Switching, or MPLS, is a networking technology that routes traffic using the shortest path based on “labels,” rather than network addresses, to handle forwarding over private wide area networks. As a scalable and protocol-independent solution, MPLS assigns labels to each data packet, controlling the path the packet follows. MPLS greatly improves the speed of traffic, so users don’t experience downtime when connected to the network.

A screened subnet is a network topology that uses two firewalls to isolate a segment of the network from both the internal LAN and the internet. The screened subnet, also known as a demilitarized zone (DMZ), hosts the internet-facing servers that need to be accessible from outside the network, such as web servers, mail servers, or DNS servers. The first firewall, also known as the external firewall, filters the traffic between the internet and the DMZ, allowing only the necessary ports and protocols to pass through. The second firewall, also known as the internal firewall, filters the traffic between the DMZ and the internal LAN, allowing only authorized and secure connections to access the internal resources. This way, the screened subnet provides a layer of protection for both the internet-facing hosts and the internal LAN from potential attacks12.

The other options are not defense strategies that help meet the design requirement of partitioning off the internet-facing hosts from the internal LAN and internal server IP ranges. Deploying a honeypot is a deception technique that lures attackers to a fake system or network that mimics the real one, in order to monitor their activities and collect information about their methods and motives. However, a honeypot does not isolate or protect the internet-facing hosts from the rest of the network3. Utilizing network access control is a security method that enforces policies on who or what can access the network resources, based on factors such as identity, role, device type, location, or time. However, network access control does not create a separate segment for the internet-facing hosts from the internal LAN. Enforcing a Zero Trust model is a security paradigm that assumes no trust for any entity inside or outside the network, and requires continuous verification and validation of every request and transaction. However, a Zero Trust model does not necessarily imply a specific network topology or architecture for separating the internet-facing hosts from the internal LAN.

A site-to-site VPN is a method that creates a secure and encrypted connection between two internet gateways, such as routers or firewalls, that belong to different networks1. A site-to-site VPN can secure all traffic between a branch office and its data center by creating a virtual tunnel that protects the data from interception or tampering. A site-to-site VPN can also provide a zero-touch experience for all staff members who work there, as they do not need to install any software or configure any settings on their devices to access the data center resources. They can simply use their local network as if they were physically connected to the data center network.

VNC (Virtual Network Computing) is a method that allows remote access and control of a computer’s desktop from another device over a network2. VNC can enable staff members to work remotely by accessing their office computers from their home computers or mobile devices. However, VNC does not secure all traffic between a branch office and its data center, as it only works at the application layer and does not encrypt the network layer. VNC also does not provide a zero-touch experience for staff members, as they need to install software and configure settings on both the host and the client devices.

Remote desktop gateway is a method that allows remote access and control of a computer’s desktop from another device over a network using the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). Remote desktop gateway can also enable staff members to work remotely by accessing their office computers from their home computers or mobile devices. However, remote desktop gateway does not secure all traffic between a branch office and its data center, as it only works at the application layer and does not encrypt the network layer. Remote desktop gateway also does not provide a zero-touch experience for staff members, as they need to install software and configure settings on both the host and the client devices.

Virtual LANs (VLANs) are methods that create logical subdivisions of a physical network based on criteria such as function, department, or security level. VLANs can improve network performance, security, and management by reducing broadcast domains, isolating traffic, and enforcing policies. However, VLANs do not secure all traffic between a branch office and its data center, as they only work at the data link layer and do not encrypt the network layer. VLANs also do not provide a zero-touch experience for staff members, as they need to configure settings on their network devices to join or leave a VLAN.

• 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

A north-south traffic flow is a term used to describe the communication between a user or device outside the network and a server or service inside the network. For example, a public internet user accessing a published web server is a north-south traffic flow. This type of traffic flow typically crosses the network perimeter and requires security measures such as firewalls and VPNs. References: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, page 16; The Official CompTIA Network+ Student Guide (Exam N10-008), page 1-9.

North-south traffic flow refers to the flow of traffic between the internal network of an organization and the external world. This type of traffic typically flows from the internet to the organization's internal network, and back again.

Examples of north-south traffic flow include:

• A public internet user accessing a published web server
• A remote employee connecting to a VPN
• An email client sending email to an external server
• A customer connecting to an e-commerce website

References:

• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Exam Objectives, Version 5.0, August 2022, page 12
• CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide, Seventh Edition, Todd Lammle, Sybex, 2022, page 17

• A /23 subnet mask has 23 bits set to 1 (255.255.254.0).
• The formula to calculate the number of usable host addresses in a subnet is 2^(32 - subnet bits) - 2.
• For a /23 subnet:

References:

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

The most likely cause of outages due to newly installed hardware is a misconfiguration of the device settings. Therefore, the first step should be to review the device configuration and check for any errors or inconsistencies that might affect the WAN connectivity.

References: Network+ Study Guide Objective 2.1: Explain the importance of network documentation.

• A site survey is a process of testing and documenting the wireless coverage, performance, and interference in a specific area12.
• A site survey can help identify the optimal locations, orientations, and configurations for the wireless access points (APs), antennas, and other devices12.
• A site survey can also help troubleshoot issues related to latency and drops in coverage, by measuring the signal strength, noise level, channel utilization, and other factors that affect the wireless network quality12.
• A site survey is usually performed before deploying a wireless network, but it can also be done after the deployment to verify the network performance or to diagnose any problems12.
• A site survey is the FIRST step to troubleshoot the issues in this scenario, because it can provide a comprehensive overview of the wireless network status and reveal any potential causes of the issues12.
• The other options are not the first step to troubleshoot the issues, because they are either more specific or less effective than a site survey:

References:

• 1: Wireless Troubleshooting – N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 5.4
• 2: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Full Course for Beginners - Wireless Troubleshooting
• 3: Channel Utilization - N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 3.3
• 4: Cable Testing - N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 1.3

itter is the variation in latency or delay of packets in a network. Satellite WAN links have high latency and are prone to jitter, which can affect the quality of voice and video applications. Jitter is the greatest concern for this type of connection

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

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

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

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

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 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

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.

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.

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/

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/

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 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.

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

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/

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/

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.

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

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

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 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.

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/