CompTIA N10-008 CompTIA Network+ Exam Exam Practice Test

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.

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

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

 TCP is the protocol type that describes secure communication on port 443. TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is a connection-oriented protocol that provides reliable and ordered delivery of data packets over an IP network. TCP uses port numbers to identify different applications or services on a device. Port 443 is the default port for HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure), which is an extension of HTTP that uses SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security) encryption to protect data in transit between a web server and a web browser. References: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/routing-information-protocol-rip/13788-3.html

A 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A 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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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/

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.

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

 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

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

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.

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

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

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

The lab environment is located in the DMZ, and traffic to the LAN zone is denied by default. This is the most likely reason why the web server cannot retrieve files from the file server, and the technician can either move the computer to another zone or request an exception from the administrator to resolve the problem. A DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is a network segment that separates the internal network (LAN) from the external network (Internet). It usually hosts public-facing servers such as web servers, email servers, or FTP servers that need to be accessed by both internal and external users. A firewall is used to control the traffic between the DMZ and the LAN zones, and usually denies traffic from the DMZ to the LAN by default for security reasons. Therefore, if a web server in the DMZ needs to communicate with a file server in the LAN, it would need a special rule or permission from the firewall administrator. References: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/access-lists/13608-21.html

The 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

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

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

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

RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) is a protocol that should be used by the organization to allow for authentication, authorization, and auditing of network services. RADIUS is an AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) protocol that manages network access by verifying user credentials, granting access permissions, and logging user activities. RADIUS uses a client-server model where a RADIUS client (such as a router, switch, or VPN server) sends user information to a RADIUS server (such as an authentication server) for verification and authorization. The RADIUS server can also send accounting information to another server for billing or reporting purposes. References: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/security-vpn/remote-authentication-dial-user-service-radius/13838-10.html

A 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.

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/

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

The default credentials are the username and password that come with a device or service when it is first installed or configured. They are often easy to guess or find online, which makes them vulnerable to unauthorized access or attacks. The default credentials should be changed to something unique and strong as soon as possible to avoid this situation. If the default credentials were not changed, someone could have accessed the SOHO router and changed the WiFi settings without the employees’ knowledge. References: https://www.comptia.org/blog/network-security-basics-6-easy-ways-to-protect-your-network

The 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 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

 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

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/

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

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

Screened Subnet devices – Web server, FTP server

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

DataCenter devices – DNS server.

A screenshot of a computer Description automatically generated

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

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.

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

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

Coaxial cable is a type of cable that consists of a central copper conductor surrounded by an insulating layer and a braided metal shield. Coaxial cable is commonly used to connect a cable modem to an ISP by transmitting data over cable television networks. Coaxial cable can support high bandwidth and long distances with minimal interference or attenuation. References: https://partners.comptia.org/docs/default-source/resources/comptia-network-n10-008-exam-objectives-(2-0), https://www.techopedia.com/definition/4027/coaxial-cable

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.

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

On the first exhibit, the layout should be as follows

Graphical user interface, text, application, chat or text message Description automatically generated

Graphical user interface Description automatically generated

Graphical user interface, text, application, chat or text message Description automatically generated

Graphical user interface Description automatically generated

Exhibit 2 as follows

Access Point Name AP2

Graphical user interface Description automatically generated

Graphical user interface, text, application, chat or text message Description automatically generated

Graphical user interface Description automatically generated

Exhibit 3 as follows

Access Point Name AP3

Graphical user interface Description automatically generated

Graphical user interface, text, application, chat or text message Description automatically generated

Graphical user interface Description automatically generated

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

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

IDS stands for intrusion detection system, which is a network appliance that monitors network traffic and alerts administrators of any suspicious or malicious activity. An IDS can warn of unapproved devices that are accessing the network by detecting anomalies, signatures, or behaviors that indicate unauthorized access attempts or attacks. References: https://partners.comptia.org/docs/default-source/resources/comptia-network-n10-008-exam-objectives-(2-0), https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/security/what-is-an-intrusion-detection-system-ids.html

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

References:

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

• A warm site is a backup data center that has some network equipment and connectivity, but not enough to handle the full load of the primary site. It requires some time and effort to activate and configure in the event of a disaster12.
• An active-active site is a backup data center that is fully operational and synchronized with the primary site, and can take over the load immediately if the primary site fails. It is the most expensive and complex option12.
• A cold site is a backup data center that has no network equipment or connectivity, and only provides physical space and power. It requires a lot of time and resources to set up and activate in the event of a disaster. It is the cheapest and simplest option12.
• A cloud site is a backup data center that is hosted by a third-party provider, and can offer various levels of availability and scalability depending on the service level agreement. It can be a cost-effective and flexible option, but also introduces some challenges such as security, compliance, and vendor lock-in13.

References:

• 1: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 6: Network Resiliency and Availability, Section: Disaster Recovery
• 2: Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes, Page 54: Disaster Recovery Sites
• 3: Backup Strategy: Ultimate Guide for Data Backup

A proxy is a solution that can mediate access to the internet. A proxy is a server that acts as an intermediary between a client and a destination server on the internet. A proxy can perform various functions, such as filtering, caching, logging, or modifying requests and responses. A proxy can help improve network performance, security, and privacy by reducing bandwidth consumption, blocking malicious or unwanted content, monitoring network activity, and hiding the client’s identity or location. References: [CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives], What Is a Proxy Server? | Proxy Server Definition | Avast

Attenuation, or the loss of signal strength over distance, is likely the cause of the issue with the 492ft (150m) cable not establishing a link to the switchport. Ethernet standards typically limit the length of copper Ethernet cables to approximately 328ft (100m) for standard performance. Exceeding this distance, as in the case of the 492ft cable, often results in insufficient signal strength to maintain a reliable connection. Options such as cable shielding, incorrect pinout, or near-end crosstalk do not directly relate to the problem described by the excessive cable length​​.

PAT (Port Address Translation) is a type of Network Address Translation (NAT) that allows multiple devices to share a single public IP address by using different port numbers. PAT enables devices to access the internet without exposing their private IP addresses. A router is a device that can perform PAT by translating the source IP address and port number of outgoing packets and the destination IP address and port number of incoming packets. A Layer 3 switch is a device that can perform basic routing functions by using IP addresses, but it cannot perform PAT or other advanced routing features that a router can.

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.

Multicast is the network communication method to use when audio transmissions need to reach several specific devices simultaneously over an IP network. It allows for efficient network use by directing a single stream of data to multiple recipients without needing to send separate streams to each recipient. Unicast sends data to a single destination, anycast sends data to the nearest or best destination in a group, and broadcast sends data to all devices in the network segment. Thus, multicast is most appropriate for the requirement described​​.

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

• PTR (Pointer) Record:

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)

A business continuity plan (BCP) is a document that outlines the procedures and strategies to ensure the continuity of critical business functions in the event of a disaster or disruption. A BCP is most likely to be associated with identifying and documenting critical applications that are essential for the organization’s operations and recovery. A BCP also defines the roles and responsibilities of the staff, the backup and restore processes, the communication channels, and the testing and maintenance schedules.

References: Network+ Study Guide Objective 5.2: Explain disaster recovery and business continuity concepts.

Based on the provided output, the administrator should troubleshoot physical layer components. Here’s why:

• The output shows statistics related to received packets, errors, dropped packets, overruns, and frame.
• These statistics are related to the physical layer of network communication.
• VLAN tagging, buffers, and TCP/IP address settings are not directly reflected in this output.

Therefore, the correct answer is A. Physical layer components

• 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

The IP address 169.254.10.10 is an APIPA (Automatic Private IP Addressing) address, which is assigned by the operating system when a DHCP server is not available or reachable. APIPA addresses are in the range of 169.254.0.0/16, and they allow the device to communicate with other devices on the same local network, but not with external networks or the internet. Therefore, the most likely root cause of the virtual machine’s connectivity issue is that the DHCP server is offline or malfunctioning, and the virtual machine cannot obtain a valid IP address from it.

References

• 1: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, page 86
• 2: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Exam Subnetting Quiz, question 9
• 3: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Practice Test, question 4

The most accurate NTP (Network Time Protocol) time source that can be accessed across a network connection is the Stratum 1 device. Here’s why:

• Stratum 0 device: These are reference clocks, such as atomic clocks or GPS receivers, which directly measure time. They are not accessible over the network.
• Stratum 1 device: These are servers that synchronize their time with Stratum 0 devices. They are highly accurate and can be accessed over the network.
• Stratum 7 device: This is not a standard stratum level in NTP. The valid stratum levels are 0 to 16.
• Stratum 16 device: This is a reserved value and not used in practice.

Therefore, the correct answer is B. Stratum 1 device1.

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

 ARP spoofing is a technique that involves sending fake ARP messages to associate an attacker’s MAC address with an IP address of a legitimate device on the network. This allows the attacker to intercept, modify, or drop the traffic that is intended for the legitimate device. This is also known as an on-path attack, or a man-in-the-middle attack, because the attacker is positioned between two communicating parties and can alter or manipulate the data. ARP spoofing can be used for various malicious purposes, such as stealing sensitive information, hijacking sessions, redirecting traffic, or launching other attacks. DNS poisoning, DoS attack, and rogue access point are not directly related to ARP spoofing, although they can be used in conjunction with it or as a result of it. DNS poisoning is a technique that involves corrupting the DNS cache of a server or a client with false information, such as mapping a domain name to an IP address of an attacker’s server. This can be used to redirect users to malicious websites, phishing pages, or malware downloads. DoS attack is a technique that involves overwhelming a target system or network with excessive requests or traffic, such as SYN floods, ICMP floods, or UDP floods. This can be used to degrade the performance, availability, or functionality of the target system or network. Rogue access point is a wireless access point that is installed or configured without authorization on a network. This can be used to provide unauthorized access to the network, capture network traffic, or launch other attacks. References:

• ARP Spoofing
• On-path Attack
• DNS Poisoning
• [DoS Attack]
• [Rogue Access Point]
• [Network + N10-008 practice exam]
• [CompTIA N10-008 Free Certification Exam Material]

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

References:

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

SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is a protocol that allows network devices to communicate with a management server. By using SNMP, the company can set up an SNMP agent on each sensor, which will report its temperature readings to an existing collector server. This will enable the company to monitor the temperatures of all their sensors in real-time without the need for manual checks. Additionally, SNMP's scalability means that even if the company adds more rooms or sensors, the existing system can be easily expanded to accommodate them.

Stratum 1 devices are the most accurate ntp time sources accessible via a network connection. A Stratum 1 device would normally be synchronised via a Stratum 0 reference clock.

SFP+ is a type of optical transceiver that supports 10G single-channel transmission over fiber optic cables. SFP+ stands for small form-factor pluggable plus, and it is compatible with SFP slots on switches and routers.

• Seamless roaming is the ability of a wireless device to move from one access point (AP) to another without losing connectivity or experiencing delays1.
• When multiple SSIDs are deployed in a wireless network, each SSID acts as a separate network with its own security settings, encryption methods, and authentication protocols2.
• This means that a wireless device has to disconnect from one SSID and reconnect to another SSID when moving between different APs, which can cause interruptions and performance issues2.
• By consolidating multiple SSIDs into one unique SSID, the technician can simplify the network management and improve the user experience2.
• The wireless device can then associate with any AP that broadcasts the same SSID, and switch between them without re-authenticating or re-negotiating the security parameters2.
• This enables seamless roaming and reduces the overhead and complexity of the wireless network2. References:
• 1: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Exam Cram, 6th Edition, Chapter 6: Wireless Network Technologies, p. 212
• 2: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Cert Guide, 1st Edition, Chapter 9: Wireless Network Design and Troubleshooting, pp. 367-368

SNMP stands for Simple Network Management Protocol, and it is a protocol that allows network devices to communicate their status, performance, and configuration information to a central management system. SNMP can be used to monitor and manage various aspects of network devices, such as CPU usage, memory utilization, interface statistics, temperature, voltage, power supply, etc. SNMP can also generate alerts or notifications when certain events or thresholds are reached, such as a power supply failure, a link down, or a high traffic volume. SNMP is widely used for network monitoring and troubleshooting purposes, as it provides a comprehensive and detailed view of the network health and performance.

The other options are not correct because they are not protocols that allow for detailed device monitoring. They are:

• TFTP. TFTP stands for Trivial File Transfer Protocol, and it is a protocol that allows for simple and fast file transfer between network devices. TFTP is often used to transfer configuration files, firmware updates, or boot images to network devices, such as routers, switches, or firewalls. TFTP does not provide any monitoring or management capabilities for network devices, nor does it generate any alerts or notifications.
• TLS. TLS stands for Transport Layer Security, and it is a protocol that provides encryption and authentication for data transmission over a network. TLS is often used to secure web traffic, email, or other applications that use TCP as the transport protocol. TLS does not provide any monitoring or management capabilities for network devices, nor does it generate any alerts or notifications.
• SSL. SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, and it is a protocol that provides encryption and authentication for data transmission over a network. SSL is the predecessor of TLS, and it is still used to secure some web traffic, email, or other applications that use TCP as the transport protocol. SSL does not provide any monitoring or management capabilities for network devices, nor does it generate any alerts or notifications.

References1: What is SNMP? - Definition from WhatIs.com2: Network+ (Plus) Certification | CompTIA IT Certifications3: What is TFTP? - Definition from WhatIs.com4: What is TLS? - Definition from WhatIs.com5: What is SSL? - Definition from WhatIs.com

• 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

Crimping the cable as a straight-through cable is the most likely fix for the issue where users are unable to access any network resources after upgrading from Cat 5 to Cat 6 cables. Crimping is a process of attaching connectors to the ends of cables using a tool called a crimper. A straight-through cable is a type of twisted-pair cable that has the same wiring scheme on both ends, meaning that each pin on one end is connected to the same pin on the other end. A straight-through cable is used to connect devices that operate on different layers of the OSI model, such as a computer and a switch, or a switch and a router. If the newly installed cable is crimped with TIA/EIA 568A on one end and TIA/EIA 568B on the other end, it becomes a crossover cable. A crossover cable is a type of twisted-pair cable that has opposite wiring schemes on both ends, meaning that each pin on one end is connected to a different pin on the other end. A crossover cable is used to connect devices that operate on the same layer of the OSI model, such as two computers or two switches. Using a crossover cable instead of a straight-through cable can cause network communication errors or failures. References: [CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives], Straight Through vs Crossover Cable: What’s The Difference?

In a split-tunnel VPN, the client can access both the local network and the remote network simultaneously, with some network traffic sent through the VPN tunnel and other traffic sent to the local gateway. This approach allows for more efficient use of bandwidth and reduces the load on the VPN server. It also allows the client to continue accessing local resources while connected to the remote network.

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

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

• The question asks about the best method to use for the network team to receive UPS status notifications after a critical power issue. The UPS is an uninterruptible power supply that provides backup power to the network devices in case of a power outage or surge1.
• The answer is traps, which are unsolicited messages that are sent from an agent to a manager to notify about an event or a condition that requires attention2. Traps can be used to alert the network team about the UPS status changes, such as battery level, load, temperature, or power failure3.
• MB, NetFlow, and Syslog are not the correct answers, because they are not the best methods to use for the UPS status notifications. MB stands for megabyte, which is a unit of data storage4. NetFlow is a protocol that collects and analyzes network traffic data. Syslog is a standard for logging and monitoring system events. These methods are not designed to send alerts about the UPS status changes, and they may not be reliable or timely in case of a critical power issue. References:
• Uninterruptible Power Supply
• Traps
• UPS Monitoring and Management
• Megabyte
• [NetFlow]
• [Syslog]
• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide

A clientless VPN is a method of providing remote clients with access to an internal web application without installing any additional software or dedicated VPN client on their devices. Instead, users access the VPN through a web browser, utilizing a web portal or gateway provided by the VPN service. This method provides the highest flexibility and compatibility, as it supports various operating systems and devices, and encrypts only the connection to the web application, not the entire traffic of the device.

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

Dynamic routing is the process of automatically updating routing tables based on network topology changes and traffic conditions. Dynamic routing protocols use various algorithms and metrics to determine the best paths for data packets. To implement dynamic routing, a network technician needs a device that can operate at the network layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model and run dynamic routing protocols. A Layer 3 switch is such a device, as it can perform both switching and routing functions, and support protocols such as RIP, OSPF, EIGRP, etc. An IPS (intrusion prevention system) is a security device that operates at the application layer (Layer 7) and monitors and blocks malicious traffic. A bridge is a device that operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) and connects two network segments using MAC addresses. A hub is a device that operates at the physical layer (Layer 1) and broadcasts data to all connected ports. None of these devices can enable dynamic routing. References:

• Dynamic Routing
• Layer 3 Switching
• Network Devices
• [Network + N10-008 practice exam]
• [CompTIA N10-008 Free Certification Exam Material]

A CNAME (Canonical Name) record is a type of DNS (Domain Name System) record that maps an alias name to a canonical or true domain name. For example, a CNAME record can map blog.example.com to example.com, which means that blog.example.com is an alias of example.com. A CNAME record is useful when you want to point multiple subdomains to the same IP address, or when you want to change the IP address of a domain without affecting the subdomains1.

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

References:

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

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

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

Wireless AC is a wireless standard that supports up to 1.3Gbps data rate and operates in the 5GHz frequency band only. Wireless AC is also backward compatible with wireless A and N devices that use the 5GHz band. Wireless AC is suitable for high-performance applications such as HD video streaming and online gaming. References: Network+ Study Guide Objective 2.2: Explain the purposes and properties of routing and switching. Subobjective: Wireless standards and their characteristics.

If the port is shut down, it means that the switch has disabled the port and is not sending or receiving any traffic on it. This would explain why the network interface’s indicator lights are not blinking on either the computer or the switch, and why the user cannot access resources on the network. The port could be shut down manually by the network administrator, or automatically by the switch due to security or error conditions.

References

• Port shutdown is one of the common switch configuration options covered in Objective 2.3 of the CompTIA Network+ N10-008 certification exam1.
• Port shutdown can cause the network interface’s indicator lights to stop blinking2.
• Port shutdown can prevent the user from accessing resources on the network3.

1: CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives, page 5 2: CompTIA Network+ N10-008: Switch not forwarding frames on trunked port3 3: Cable Management – N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 1.3

A peer-to-peer network is a type of network in which each computer (or node) can communicate directly with any other node, without requiring a central server or authority. Each node can act as both a client and a server, and can share its own resources, such as files, printers, or internet connection, with other nodes. A peer-to-peer network allows users to directly access and exchange what is on or attached to their computers, with equal permissions and responsibilities

One of the best practices for network hardening is to disable unneeded switchports. This prevents unauthorized devices from connecting to the network and reduces the attack surface. Disabling unneeded ports also conserves power and bandwidth. To disable a port on a Cisco switch, the administrator can use the following commands:

switch# configure terminalswitch(config)# interface fastethernet 0/1switch(config-if)# shutdownswitch(config-if)# end

Disabling SSH service is not a good idea, as SSH provides secure remote access to the switch. Disabling MAC filtering or port security would weaken the security of the switch, as it would allow any device to connect to any port. MAC filtering and port security are techniques that limit the number of MAC addresses or devices that can access a port. References: Chapter 18. Network Hardening Techniques - CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Cert Guide, CompTIA Network+ Exam N10-008 - Lesson 19: Applying Network Hardening Techniques, CompTIA Network+ N10-008 | Udemy

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

Software-defined network (SDN) is a network architecture that allows the network-forwarding elements to be controlled by a centralized software application. This enables the network to adapt to new business requirements with the least amount of operating effort, as the network administrator can configure and manage the network from a single console, without having to manually configure each device individually. SDN also provides more flexibility, agility, and scalability for the network, as it can dynamically adjust the network resources and policies based on the application needs and traffic conditions.

References:

• CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives, page 5, section 1.3: “Explain the concepts and characteristics of routing and switching.”
• Software-Defined Networking – CompTIA Network+ N10-007 – 1.3, video lecture by Professor Messer.

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

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

• Port 23 is used by Telnet, an insecure protocol that sends data in plain text over the network. Telnet should be replaced by SSH, which uses port 22 and encrypts the data.
• Port 69 is used by TFTP, an insecure protocol that transfers files without authentication or encryption. TFTP should be replaced by SFTP or FTPS, which use port 22 or 990 respectively and encrypt the data.
• Port 443 is used by HTTPS, a secure protocol that encrypts the data using SSL/TLS certificates. HTTPS should be preferred over HTTP, which uses port 80 and sends data in plain text.
• Port 587 is used by SMTP, a protocol that sends email messages. SMTP can be secured by using STARTTLS, which initiates encryption after the initial handshake. Alternatively, port 465 can be used for SMTPS, which encrypts the data from the start.
• Port 8080 is used by HTTP proxy, a protocol that allows clients to access web servers through an intermediary. HTTP proxy can be secured by using HTTPS proxy, which uses port 443 and encrypts the data.

References:

• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 2: Network Protocols and Services, pages 62-63, 66-67, 69-70, 72-73, 75-76.
• Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes, Section 2.1: Common TCP and UDP Ports, pages 16-17.
• Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Training Course, Video 2.1: Common TCP and UDP Ports, 6.

• Attenuation is the loss of signal strength as it travels over a distance or through a medium. It is measured in decibels (dB) and can affect the quality and reliability of network communication.
• In this scenario, the connection from PC A to switch 1 is using a Cat 5 cable with a length of 394ft (120m), which exceeds the recommended maximum length of 328ft (100m) for twisted-pair cables. This can cause significant attenuation and performance degradation between PC A and PC B.
• To solve this problem, the network technician should either reduce the cable length, use a higher category cable, or insert a repeater or amplifier device to boost the signal strength.
• Interference is the unwanted noise or signal that affects the network communication. It can be caused by electromagnetic sources, such as power lines, motors, or wireless devices, or by crosstalk, which is the interference between adjacent wires in a cable. Interference can also affect the network performance, but it is not the most likely cause in this scenario, as it would affect all the connections, not just the one with the excessive cable length.
• Decibel loss is another term for attenuation, so it is not a separate option. Incorrect pinout is the wrong arrangement of wires in a cable connector, which can prevent the network devices from communicating properly. However, this is not the most likely cause in this scenario, as the cable configuration is correct (straight through) for the connection from PC A to switch 1. References:
• [CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide], Chapter 3: Network Cabling and Topologies, Section 3.1: Compare and Contrast Cabling Types, Standards, and Properties, p. 115-116
• [Professor Messer’s CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes], Section 2.1: Copper Cabling, p. 19
• Network+ N10-008 Practice Test | CertBlaster, Question 1

 The issue described is related to network congestion and IP address allocation. When a tenant with a large attendance ends its session, the DHCP lease time of 24 hours means that the IP addresses used by that tenant’s attendees are not released back into the pool for a full day. This can lead to an exhaustion of available IP addresses for subsequent tenants.

• D. Change the DHCP scope end to 10.1.10.250: Increasing the DHCP scope end will provide more available IP addresses for allocation, reducing the likelihood of running out of addresses when there are many users.
• G. Reduce the DHCP lease time to four hours: Reducing the DHCP lease time means that IP addresses are released back into the pool more quickly after being allocated, making them available for other users sooner and reducing issues with address exhaustion.

These changes would most likely alleviate issues with users being unable to connect after sessions with large attendances.

References:

• Best practices in managing DHCP include adjusting scope and lease times according to user patterns and network demand.
• Professormesser
• CompTIA Network+ Study Guide

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

A vulnerability is a security flaw in an application or network that can be exploited by an attacker, allowing them to gain access to sensitive data or take control of the system. Vulnerabilities can range from weak authentication methods to unpatched software, allowing attackers to gain access to the system or data they would not otherwise be able to access. Exploits are programs or techniques used to take advantage of vulnerabilities, while threats are potential dangers, and risks are the likelihood of a threat becoming a reality.

A client-to-site VPN is a secure remote access solution that allows individual employees to connect to the company’s network from remote locations1. This type of VPN creates a secure tunnel from the user’s location to the company’s network, ensuring that the data transmitted is secure and private

Changing the default password is a hardening technique that best mitigates the use of publicly available information, such as vendor documentation, online forums, or hacking tools, that may reveal the default credentials of a commercial switch. By changing the default password to a strong and unique one, the network technician can prevent unauthorized access to the switch configuration and management.

References:

• Network Hardening - N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 4.3 - YouTube1
• CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives, page 151

Port mirroring is a feature that allows a network technician to monitor traffic on a specific port on a switch by copying all the traffic from that port to another port where a monitoring device is connected. Port mirroring can be used for troubleshooting, analysis, or security purposes, such as detecting network anomalies, performance issues, or malicious activities. References: https://www.comptia.org/training/books/network-n10-008-study-guide (page 156)

• Default Gateway: The default gateway is the IP address of the router that connects the local network to external networks (such as the internet). When a packet’s destination address is outside the local network, it is sent to the default gateway for further routing.

References:

• Professor Messer - Network+ Certification Course
• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide 11
• Studocu - To route a packet outside the local network, a packet must be generated at the network layer

SSID stands for Service Set Identifier and is the name of a wireless network. A wireless access point (WAP) can support multiple SSIDs, which allows different wireless access through the same equipment. For example, the store owner can create one SSID for business equipment and another SSID for patron use, and assign different security settings and bandwidth limits for each SSID. MIMO stands for Multiple Input Multiple Output and is a technology that uses multiple antennas to improve wireless performance. TKIP stands for Temporal Key Integrity Protocol and is an encryption method for wireless networks. LTE stands for Long Term Evolution and is a cellular network technology.

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.

The logging level debugging is the highest level of logging, which means that the switch will log every possible event, including low-priority and verbose messages. This can result in excessive amounts of data being sent to the syslog server, which can affect the performance and storage of the server. To fix the issue, the technician should adjust the logging level to a lower value, such as informational, warning, or error, depending on the desired level of detail and severity. This will reduce the amount of log data generated by the switch and only send the relevant and necessary messages to the syslog server.

https://betterstack.com/community/guides/logging/log-levels-explained/

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

One possible cause of poor wireless performance is a bottleneck in the network, which means that other devices or applications are consuming too much bandwidth or resources and limiting the speed of the wireless access point. To troubleshoot this issue, the engineer should ensure that there is no congestion or interference from other devices on the network, such as wired clients, servers, routers, switches, or other wireless access points. The engineer can use tools such as network analyzers, bandwidth monitors, or ping tests to check the network traffic and latency12.

Another possible cause of poor wireless performance is outdated firmware on the device, which may contain bugs or vulnerabilities that affect the functionality or security of the wireless access point. To troubleshoot this issue, the engineer should install the latest firmware for the device from the manufacturer’s website or support portal. The engineer should follow the instructions carefully and backup the configuration before updating the firmware. The engineer can also check the release notes or changelog of the firmware to see if there are any improvements or fixes related to the wireless performance3 .

The other options are not relevant to troubleshooting poor wireless performance. Creating a new VLAN for the access point may help with network segmentation or security, but it will not improve the speed of the wireless connection. Making sure the SSID is not longer than 16 characters may help with compatibility or readability, but it will not affect the wireless performance. Configuring the AP in autonomous mode may give more control or flexibility to the engineer, but it will not enhance the wireless speed. Installing a wireless LAN controller may help with managing multiple access points or deploying advanced features, but it will not increase the wireless performance.

• 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

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

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

A captive portal is a web page that is presented to a user before they are allowed to access a network. It is used to authenticate users and to ensure that all users have accepted the terms of use for the network. By deploying a captive portal, the cafeteria can require users to enter their phone number as the passphrase, while still providing an additional layer of security. Reference: CompTIA Network+ Study Guide, 8th Edition, page 182.

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

Cat 7 is a type of twisted-pair copper cable that supports up to 40 Gbps bandwidth and up to 100 meters cable length. Cat 7 is suitable for long cable runs that require high-speed data transmission. Cat 7 has better shielding and crosstalk prevention than lower categories of cables.

References: Network+ Study Guide Objective 1.5: Compare and contrast network cabling types, features and their purposes.

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

A SAN also employs a series of protocols enabling software to communicate or prepare data for storage. The most common protocol is the Fibre Channel Protocol (FCP), which maps SCSI commands over FC technology. The iSCSI SANs will employ an iSCSI protocol that maps SCSI commands over TCP/IP.

STP (Spanning Tree Protocol) is a protocol used to prevent loops in Ethernet networks, and it is not a medium for communication in a storage area network (SAN). However, Fibre Channel is a protocol that is specifically designed for high-speed data transfer in SAN environments. It is a dedicated channel technology that provides high throughput and low latency, making it ideal for SANs. Therefore, Fibre Channel would be the best protocol for the company to use for its SAN. SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol), iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface), and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) are protocols used for transferring files over a network and are not suitable for use in a SAN environment.

The appropriate next step in this situation would be to check for the existence of a known exploit in order to assess the risk. This is important because it will help the network administrator determine the severity of the vulnerability and the potential impact it could have on the organization. Once the network administrator has assessed the risk, they can then take appropriate action to address the vulnerability. This might include patching the application, deploying a new server to host the application, or implementing other security measures to mitigate the risk. It is generally not advisable to immediately shut down the vulnerable application server, as this could disrupt business operations and cause significant downtime. Similarly, installing a network access control agent on the server may not be the most effective solution, as it would not address the underlying vulnerability.

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

A core switch is the most likely device causing the issue where users on each floor have stable connectivity, but do not have connectivity to other floors. A core switch is a high-performance switch that connects multiple access switches in a network. An access switch is a switch that connects end devices, such as computers and printers, to the network. A core switch acts as the backbone of the network, providing interconnection and routing between different subnets or VLANs. If the core switch is malfunctioning or misconfigured, it can prevent communication between different segments of the network, resulting in intermittent connectivity issues. References: [CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives], Core Switch vs Access Switch: What Are the Differences?

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.

Layer 4 is where TCP/IP port numbers identify which network application is receiving the packet and where it is applied. Layer 4 is also known as the transport layer in the TCP/IP model or the OSI model. The transport layer is responsible for providing reliable or unreliable end-to-end data transmission between hosts on a network. The transport layer uses port numbers to identify and multiplex different applications or processes that communicate over the network. Port numbers are 16-bit numbers that range from 0 to 65535 and are divided into three categories: well-known ports (0-1023), registered ports (1024-49151), and dynamic ports (49152-65535). Some examples of well-known port numbers are 80 for HTTP, 443 for HTTPS, and 25 for SMTP. References: [CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives], Transport Layer - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

Network Health:

WAN 2 appears to have a lower average latency and loss percentage, which would make it the preferred WAN station for VoIP traffic. VoIP traffic requires low latency and packet loss to ensure good voice quality and reliability. WAN 1 seems to have higher RAM and processor usage, which could also affect the performance of VoIP traffic.

Here's the summary of the key metrics for WAN 1 and WAN 2 from the image provided:

• WAN 1:
• WAN 2:

For VoIP traffic, low latency and jitter are particularly important to ensure voice quality. While WAN 1 has higher bandwidth and throughput, it also has higher latency and jitter compared to WAN 2. However, WAN 2 has much lower loss, lower latency, and lower jitter, which are more favorable for VoIP traffic that is sensitive to delays and variation in packet arrival times.

Given this information, WAN 2 would generally be preferred for VoIP traffic due to its lower latency, lower jitter, and significantly lower loss percentage, despite its lower bandwidth compared to WAN 1. The high bandwidth of WAN 1 may be more suitable for other types of traffic that are less sensitive to latency and jitter, such as bulk data transfers.

Device Monitoring:

the device that is experiencing connectivity issues is the APP Server or Router 1, which has a status of Down. This means that the server is not responding to network requests or sending any data. You may want to check the physical connection, power supply, and configuration of the APP Server to troubleshoot the problem.

A screenshot of a computer Description automatically generated

Channel bonding is a technique that allows two or more adjacent channels to be combined into a wider channel, increasing the data rate and throughput of the wireless network. Channel bonding can improve the performance of the Wi-Fi network by utilizing more of the available spectrum and reducing interference from other devices. Channel bonding is supported by Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) standards.

References: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Cert Guide, Chapter 4, Section 4.2

Cat 8 keystones are shielded to prevent interference from external sources, but they also require proper grounding to avoid interference from within the cable. Wrapping the end connections with copper tape before terminating them is one way to ensure a good ground connection and reduce interference. Using passthrough modular crimping plugs, connecting the RX/TX wires to different pins, or running a speed test on a slow device are not relevant or effective steps to troubleshoot the issue.

References:

• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, page 191
• CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Cert Guide, Deluxe Edition, page 362
• CAT8 RJ45 Keystone Problem : r/HomeNetworking2
• How to Terminate Cat8 Shielded Keystone Jacks3

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

This subnet mask will allow you to have six usable IP addresses in each subnet, with a minimum of wasted addresses. You can use the following formula to calculate the number of subnets and the subnet ID for each subnet:

Number of subnets = 2^network bits Subnet ID = (subnet number - 1) x number of host addresses + network address

The network bits are the number of 1s in the binary representation of the subnet mask, and the network address is the first address in the range. For example, if your range is 192.168.1.0/27, then the network bits are 27, the network address is 192.168.1.0, and the number of host addresses is 30. Therefore, the number of subnets is 2^27, and the subnet ID for the first subnet is (1 - 1) x 30 + 192.168.1.0 = 192.168.1.0. The subnet ID for the second subnet is (2 - 1) x 30 + 192.168.1.0 = 192.168.1.32, and so on.

References

• Subnet masks are covered in Objective 1.4 of the CompTIA Network+ N10-008 certification exam1.
• Subnet masks can be calculated based on binary and CIDR-block notations2.
• Subnet masks can be used to determine the number of host bits and host addresses3.

1: CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives, page 4 2: IPv4 Subnet Masks – N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 1.41 3: Calculating IPv4 Subnets and Hosts – N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 1.44

 Integrity is the security concept that is related to ensuring that encrypted data is not edited while in transit. Integrity is one of the three main goals of information security, along with confidentiality and availability. Integrity means that data is protected from unauthorized modification or corruption during storage, processing, or transmission. Integrity can be achieved by using various techniques, such as hashing, digital signatures, checksums, or message authentication codes (MACs). These techniques can verify the authenticity and validity of the data by detecting any changes or tampering that may have occurred. References: [CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives], What Is Data Integrity? | Definition & Examples | Forcepoint

A captive portal is a web page that is displayed to a user before they can access the internet or other network resources. This is often used in public or guest networks to present users with a login or terms and conditions page before they can access the internet. If a captive portal is active on the WLAN, it would explain why the IoT sensor is only receiving HTTP redirections when trying to connect to the internet.

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

References:

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

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

The best answer is B. Public address on the perimeter router.

Port address translation (PAT) is a function that allows multiple users within a private network to make use of a minimal number of IP addresses. Its basic function is to share a single IP public address between multiple clients who need to use the Internet publicly. It is an extension of network address translation (NAT)1.

PAT works by creating dynamic NAT mapping, in which a global (public) IP address and a unique port number are selected. The router keeps a NAT table entry for every unique combination of the private IP address and port, with translation to the global address and a unique port number2.

Therefore, an organization would use PAT for having a public address on the perimeter router, which can be shared by many hosts on the private network using different port numbers. This can reduce the bandwidth consumption and cost of the organization’s internet connection, as well as provide some security benefits by hiding the internal network structure3.

The other options are not correct because:

• VLANs on the perimeter are not related to PAT, as they are used to segment the network into logical groups based on different criteria, such as function, security, or performance4.
• Non-routable address on the perimeter router would not allow the organization to access the Internet or the cloud, as non-routable addresses are not valid on the public network and cannot be translated by PAT5.
• Servers on the perimeter are not a reason to use PAT, as servers usually have static IP addresses and do not need to share a public address with other hosts. Servers on the perimeter may use NAT, but not PAT, to map their private IP addresses to a public IP address2.

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

References:

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

NIC Teaming, also known as load balancing and failover (LBFO), allows multiple network adapters on a computer to be placed into a team for the following purposes: (https://www.bing.com/search?q=what+is+nic+teaming+used+for%3F &form=QBLH&sp=-1&pq=what+is+nic+teaming+used+for&sc=10-28&qs=n&sk=&cvid=13882A9A9B584D8099F4ABCAD034E821&ghsh=0&ghacc=0&ghpl=)

A proxy server is the most appropriate device for inspecting all outgoing traffic to the internet5. It acts as an intermediary between users and the internet, allowing the network administrator to inspect and control the content accessed by the users

• A hybrid cloud is a cloud deployment model that combines two or more different types of clouds, such as public, private, or community clouds12. A hybrid cloud allows an organization to leverage the benefits of both types of clouds, such as scalability, cost-efficiency, security, and control34.
• In the scenario, the company uses a private cloud to host its data center at its corporate office, which ensures greater control over the security of sensitive data. A private cloud is a cloud deployment model that is exclusively used by a single organization and is usually hosted on-premises or by a third-party provider12. A private cloud offers the highest level of security, privacy, and customization, but also requires more resources and maintenance34.
• During times when there are increased workloads, some of the company’s non-sensitive data is shifted to an external cloud provider, which is most likely a public cloud. A public cloud is a cloud deployment model that is shared by multiple organizations and is hosted and managed by a third-party provider12. A public cloud offers the lowest cost, highest scalability, and widest availability, but also has less security, privacy, and customization34.
• Therefore, the best answer is A. Hybrid, which describes a cloud deployment model that combines a private cloud and a public cloud.

References:

• 1: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, page 483
• 2: CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives, page 18
• 3: [What is Hybrid Cloud? - Definition from WhatIs.com]
• 4: [Hybrid Cloud Computing | CompTIA IT Certifications]

One possible process that the administrator used to identify the root cause of the spam issue is traffic analysis. Traffic analysis is a technique that monitors and analyzes the network traffic that flows between devices or applications. Traffic analysis can help troubleshoot network problems by identifying the source, destination, volume, frequency, and content of the network packets12.

To use traffic analysis to identify the root cause of the spam issue, the administrator could follow these steps:

• Install a traffic analysis tool on the server or a device that is connected to the same network as the server, such as Wireshark3, tcpdump4, or Microsoft Network Monitor5.
• Start capturing the network traffic and filter it by using the IP address or hostname of the server, or by using a specific port or protocol that is used by the email service, such as SMTP (port 25), POP3 (port 110), or IMAP (port 143).
• Analyze the filtered traffic and look for any signs of abnormal or malicious activity, such as high volume of outgoing emails, unknown recipients, suspicious attachments, or spam keywords.
• Trace back the source of the spam emails to the infected workstation by using its IP address or MAC address.
• Isolate and clean up the infected workstation by using an antivirus or malware removal tool.

The other options are not processes that the administrator used to identify the root cause of the spam issue. Availability monitoring is a technique that measures and reports the uptime and downtime of a network device or service. Availability monitoring can help troubleshoot network problems by detecting any failures or outages that affect the network performance. Baseline metrics are a set of standard measurements that establish the normal behavior or performance of a network device or service. Baseline metrics can help troubleshoot network problems by comparing the current state of the network with the expected state and identifying any deviations or anomalies. Network discovery is a technique that scans and maps the network devices and services that are connected to a network. Network discovery can help troubleshoot network problems by providing a comprehensive and updated view of the network topology and configuration.

North-south traffic is any communication between components of a data center and another system, which is physically out of the boundary of the data center. It is also referred to as client-server traffic, as it usually involves requests from end users or external applications to the data center resources. For example, when a user accesses a web application hosted in a data center, the traffic between the user’s browser and the web server is considered north-south traffic.

• Throughput is the measure of how much data can be transferred over a network in a given time period1.
• To test the throughput of a network connection, a network administrator needs a tool that can generate and measure traffic between two endpoints2.
• iPerf is a command-line tool that can create TCP or UDP streams and measure the bandwidth, delay, jitter, and packet loss of the network23.
• iPerf can be used to test the performance of various network protocols, such as metro Ethernet, which is a type of Ethernet network that spans metropolitan areas and provides high-speed connectivity to businesses and organizations.
• iPerf can also be used to verify that the network connection meets the service level agreement (SLA), which is a contract that defines the quality and availability of the network service provided by a vendor or a carrier.
• Ping is a tool that can test the reachability and latency of a network device by sending and receiving ICMP echo packets. Ping cannot measure the throughput of a network connection, as it only tests the round-trip time of a single packet.
• NetFlow is a protocol that can collect and analyze network traffic data, such as source and destination IP addresses, ports, protocols, and bytes transferred. NetFlow can provide information about the volume and type of network traffic, but it cannot measure the throughput of a specific network connection, as it does not generate or monitor traffic streams.
• Netstat is a tool that can display information about the active and listening network connections, such as protocol, local and foreign address, and state. Netstat cannot measure the throughput of a network connection, as it only shows the status of the existing connections. References:
• 1: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Cert Guide, 1st Edition, Chapter 1: Introduction to Networks, p. 14
• 2: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Cert Guide, 1st Edition, Chapter 16: Network Optimization, p. 649
• 3: iPerf - The ultimate speed test tool for TCP, UDP and SCTP
• : CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Cert Guide, 1st Edition, Chapter 3: Ethernet Networks, p. 105
• : CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Cert Guide, 1st Edition, Chapter 15: Network Monitoring, p. 611
• : CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Cert Guide, 1st Edition, Chapter 4: IP Addressing, p. 143
• : Ping (networking utility) - Wikipedia
• : CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Cert Guide, 1st Edition, Chapter 15: Network Monitoring, p. 615
• : NetFlow - Wikipedia
• : CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Cert Guide, 1st Edition, Chapter 16: Network Optimization, p. 650
• : [netstat - Wikipedia]

GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation, which is a European Union regulation on information privacy and security. It applies to any organization that collects or processes personal data of individuals in the EU, and it sets out rules and requirements for data protection, consent, breach notification, and enforcement1

References1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Data_Protection_Regulation

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

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

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

References:

• OSI Model | Computer Networking | CompTIA1

According to the CompTIA Network+ troubleshooting model123, this is the first step in troubleshooting a network problem. The technician should gather information about the current state of the network, such as error messages, device status, network topology, and user feedback. This can help narrow down the scope of the problem and eliminate possible causes.

To allow each device to access its expected network without additional connections, the administrator needs to configure VLANs (virtual LANs) on the switch. VLANs are logical groups of devices that share the same broadcast domain, regardless of their physical location or connection. VLANs can improve network performance, security, and management by isolating traffic and reducing broadcast storms. To configure VLANs on the switch, the administrator needs to assign each device port to a specific VLAN and set the VLAN tagging mode. VLAN tagging is a method of adding a VLAN identifier to the Ethernet frames to indicate which VLAN they belong to. There are two types of VLAN tagging: untagged and tagged. Untagged VLAN tagging means that the switch removes the VLAN identifier from the frames before sending them to the device port. This is suitable for end devices that do not support VLAN tagging, such as PCs, printers, etc. Tagged VLAN tagging means that the switch keeps the VLAN identifier on the frames when sending them to the device port. This is suitable for devices that support VLAN tagging, such as routers, servers, other switches, etc. To allow each device to access the rest of the network, the administrator needs to configure a trunk port on the switch that connects to the uplink. A trunk port is a port that can carry traffic from multiple VLANs using tagged VLAN tagging. This way, the switch can send and receive frames from different VLANs to and from the rest of the network. Therefore, the administrator should do the following to meet the requirements:

• Untag an individual VLAN per device port. This will assign each device port to a specific VLAN and remove the VLAN identifier from the frames before sending them to the device port. This will allow each device to access its expected network without additional connections.
• Tag the three VLANs across the uplink. This will configure a trunk port on the switch that connects to the uplink and add the VLAN identifier to the frames before sending them to the uplink. This will allow the switch to carry traffic from multiple VLANs to and from the rest of the network.

References:

• VLANs and Trunks
• VLAN Tagging Explained with DTP Protocol
• Network + N10-008 practice exam
• [CompTIA N10-008 Free Certification Exam Material]
• [Free Practice Questions for CompTIA Network+Exam (N10-008)]