CompTIA Network+ Practice Test (N10-009)

The likeliest issue in this scenario is that the default gateway is not configured or incorrectly configured on the router. The default gateway provides the necessary routing information for forwarding packets destined for external networks and the internet. If it's missing or incorrect, devices can communicate within the local network but fail to find a route for external addresses. Incorrect entries in the routing table typically only affect specific network segments, and incorrect subnets would largely prevent local communications, not just external communications.

A Clientless VPN is appropriate in this scenario because it allows users to access internal network resources through a web browser without requiring the installation of client software on their devices. This method is particularly effective for accessing specific applications securely, rather than the entire network. An SSL VPN typically facilitates this by securing the connection between the user's web browser and the network gateway. In contrast, a Full VPN client would require installing software on each device, which is not ideal for this requirement. VPN Passthrough is a feature on a router that allows outbound VPN connections from clients on the internal network; it does not provide inbound access to internal web applications for remote users. Lastly, an IPSec VPN also typically requires client software installation and is therefore not suitable for scenarios that demand a clientless setup.

Before making any significant changes to a network's infrastructure, the first step under the change management process should always start with submitting a change request. This action ensures that all necessary approvals are obtained, and all impacts are assessed before any changes are implemented, minimizing potential disruptions. Just discussing potential changes informally does not provide proper documentation or authorization. Implementing changes directly or beginning with a risk assessment, though important, skips the initial necessary step of formally recording and initiating the process through an official change request.

Disabling unused ports and services is the most effective step in this scenario, as it immediately reduces the number of avenues an attacker could exploit to gain unauthorized access or disrupt network services. Changing the SSID, while useful for concealing network identity, does not itself secure the network against determined attackers who can still detect and connect using advanced tools. Scheduling regular updates is important for security but relates more to maintaining the security posture over time rather than an immediate hardening step.

UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is designed for applications that require fast, efficient transmission, such as streaming and online gaming where some data loss is tolerable. It does not provide the error checking and recovery services found in TCP, thus if there are issues with the connection reliability, the choice of UDP might be the reason, given its connectionless nature of allowing some packet loss.

WPA3-Enterprise offers the highest security by providing strong encryption and centrally managed user authentication. This method leverages a RADIUS server to authenticate each connecting device independently, which is ideal for a corporate environment. WPA3 includes updated security measures, such as Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) and stronger encryption, to protect against vulnerabilities found in WPA2, making it the most robust choice.

Implementing automated synchronization between the live network configurations and the central repository ensures all changes are documented and versioned. This practice not only provides a history of changes for auditing purposes but also allows for quick rollbacks to previous configurations if necessary. Manual versioning is prone to human error and inconsistency, while periodic documentation can cause delays and lack real-time updates.

QSFP+ modules support four channels, each operating at 10 Gbps for a total data rate of 40 Gbps. This is a significant increase from standard QSFP modules, which support four channels at 1 Gbps each (for a total of 4 Gbps). This higher data rate makes QSFP+ suitable for modern data centers and high-performance computing. The other answers are incorrect. Power consumption generally increases with higher data rates. Cable length depends on the specific module variant (e.g., SR4, LR4) and the cable type, not the form factor alone. QSFP+ modules are available for both single-mode and multi-mode fiber, as well as for copper cables.

HTTPS on port 443 is the correct answer because it is the secure version of HTTP, using encryption (SSL/TLS) to securely transfer web pages from web servers to clients. FTP on port 21 is used for file transfers but not specifically for web pages. SMTP on port 25 is used for sending emails, not web pages. Telnet on port 23 offers text-oriented communication but lacks encryption, making it inappropriate for secure transfers.

A central repository enables network teams to keep all configuration scripts and automation code in a single location, where it can be accessed and updated by various team members. Version control systems such as Git allow tracking changes to network configurations, collaboratively working on code without overwriting each other's changes, and the ability to revert to previous versions if a new configuration causes issues. Version control is the only option among the given answers that addresses all the specified criteria for collaboration, tracking changes, and reverting to previous states when needed.

Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is most appropriate for creating DCIs due to its ability to support high-capacity bandwidth and its proficiency in managing data packets through labels, facilitating efficient data routing. MPLS also provides reliability, various Quality of Service (QoS) levels, and traffic engineering capabilities, making it ideal for interconnecting data centers. Other answers, while related to networking technologies, are not as suited. Point-to-Point Protocol is typically used for direct connections between two nodes rather than high-capacity data center interconnections, and Dark Fiber, although offering high capacity, lacks inherent routing and QoS features critical for complex DCI. Lastly, VPN is more suited for secure, single connections over the internet and does not necessarily provide the scalability required for robust DCI.

The IP addresses 10.0.0.1, 172.16.254.3, and 192.168.1.1 are all classified as private IP addresses under RFC 1918, which reserves them for internal network use. Conversely, the address 8.8.4.4 is not part of any reserved private range and is routable on the global internet, making it a public IP address.

A rogue DHCP server can issue incorrect or malicious network settings to clients, directing traffic to unauthorized locations which potentially allows for man-in-the-middle attacks or data exfiltration. It disrupts network operations by allocating incorrect IP addresses and gateway information, posing significant security and operational risks. The other options, while potentially part of various attack strategies or network configurations, do not directly represent the typical outcomes of a rogue DHCP server.

Setting a shorter duration for network address assignments is advantageous in environments where the configuration often changes due to the high turnover of devices. This practice helps in promptly releasing addresses that are no longer in use, mitigating the risk of address conflicts and effectively managing a fluctuating number of devices without the need for a large pool of addresses. While longer durations decrease the load on the network's management protocols by reducing the frequency of requests, they are less adaptable to rapid changes typical in dynamic environments.

Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) is the best choice for an enterprise network spanning multiple geographic locations due to its support for large and complex topologies and its vendor-neutral specification, which ensures interoperability among different vendors' equipment. While EIGRP also supports large networks, it is less ideal in environments that require vendor interoperability since it is Cisco proprietary, potentially limiting its use with equipment from other vendors. BGP is generally used for Internet routing between autonomous systems rather than internal enterprise networks, and RIP's limitations in scalability make it unsuitable for large networks.

Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) is an IETF-standard FHRP (RFC 5798) that lets two or more routers form a virtual default gateway. One router (the master) actively forwards traffic; if it goes down, another router in the group automatically takes over using the same virtual IP/MAC, so end-station traffic continues uninterrupted.

HSRP provides the same function but is Cisco-proprietary, so it is not the correct choice when the question specifies an open standard. RIP and EIGRP are dynamic routing protocols that exchange route information but do not offer default-gateway redundancy.

RFC 1918 designates three private IPv4 blocks: 10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12, and 192.168.0.0/16. Only addresses inside these ranges are intended for internal networks and are filtered by Internet routers. 192.168.1.1 sits inside 192.168.0.0/16, so it is private. The other options (172.34.0.5, 203.0.113.10, 8.8.8.8) lie outside the private ranges and are publicly routable (203.0.113.0/24 and 198.51.100.0/24 are documentation ranges but still public).

Using a cable tester to check for crosstalk specifically targets the possibility of signal interference between wires inside the same cable, which could lead to the issues described. It would provide direct evidence if crosstalk is present, differentiating it from other potential causes such as external electromagnetic interference or improper cable shielding, which would require different investigative tools.

Installing an additional PoE switch or a switch with a higher power budget is the best solution because the existing switch cannot supply the 200 watts required by all ten cameras. The resulting power shortfall causes certain cameras to shut down intermittently. Lowering camera settings or prioritizing some cameras only sidesteps the underlying capacity problem, and replacing the cameras with non-PoE models would require separate power cabling without fixing the current PoE deficit.

Port 587 is used for secure email communication over SMTP, commonly known as SMTPS. This port allows email to be sent securely via an encrypted connection, which is crucial for protecting sensitive information during transmission. Port 25 is the default for unencrypted SMTP, and while port 443 is commonly used for HTTPS, it is not used for securing SMTP. Port 993 is for IMAPS, which is used for receiving emails securely, not sending.