CompTIA Network+ Practice Test (N10-009)

A toner, which consists of a tone generator and a probe, is specifically designed for tracing and identifying wires or cables within a group. It works by sending a tone signal down the cable, which the probe can then detect. This is crucial in environments where cables are unmarked or bundled together, allowing a technician to follow the tone to locate the correct cable. A cable tester is primarily used for verifying the functionality and integrity of a cable's connections, not for tracing its physical path. Wire strippers are used to remove the protective coating of wires for termination. A Wi-Fi analyzer is a tool for wireless networks and is not applicable to wired cable tracing.

The netstat command is a command-line tool used to display active TCP connections, ports on which the computer is listening, Ethernet statistics, the IP routing table, and more. It is the most appropriate tool among the choices for identifying unauthorized listening ports and active connections on a server. ping is used to test reachability, tracert traces the route to a host, and ipconfig displays the local IP configuration.

The correct command to retrieve mail server records for a domain using nslookup is nslookup -query=mx example.com. The -query=mx option specifies that the Mail Exchanger (MX) records should be retrieved, which are used for email routing. Understanding the correct syntax and options for nslookup commands is essential in diagnosing DNS issues effectively. \n\nThe incorrect answers provided either use wrong query types or misunderstand the function of nslookup: \n- -query=a retrieves address records (A records), which is incorrect as the scenario specifies a check for mail server records (MX records). \n- -type=soa retrieves the Start of Authority (SOA) record, which is useful for information about DNS zone transfers and not email.\n- example.com -mx lacks the proper nslookup command structure and incorrectly places options.

Tailgating is a specific type of social engineering where an unauthorized person follows someone with authorized access into a restricted area without being noticed. This differs from other social-engineering techniques because it requires physical proximity and exploits courteous behavior rather than electronic communication or technical network manipulation.

Geofencing defines a virtual boundary for a real-world geographic area and triggers an automated response-such as granting or denying system access-when that boundary is crossed. It leverages technologies like GPS, RFID, Wi-Fi, or cellular data to enhance logical security by restricting or auditing access based on physical location. The other options describe unrelated security measures such as content filtering, device hardening, or encryption, none of which inherently rely on location-based boundaries.

Given the scenario, among the listed reasons, the most probable cause for the IP camera not powering up is exceeding the maximum power delivery range for PoE over Cat5e, which is typically recommended up to 100 meters. As the power reaches the limits of its range, voltage drops can occur, leading to insufficient power delivery to the device. Upgrading to a Cat6 cable could help due to its inherently lower resistance per meter, potentially mitigating voltage drop over the same distance. The other options, though possible in different contexts, are less likely in this specific scenario given the details provided (e.g., no mention of incorrect standards or device incompatibility).

Fine-tuning the RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) threshold can significantly enhance the roaming experience by determining the sensitivity of when a device should switch to a stronger signal access point, thus maintaining steadier connectivity. Adjusting transmit power primarily affects the range and strength of the signal emitted by access points but does not directly optimize how devices roam between them. Although SCTP optimization might appear related to performance, it mainly deals with transport protocols for session initiation tasks rather than wireless roaming. Lastly, tweaking QoS settings is generally geared towards prioritizing traffic types over the network and would not specifically resolve roaming transitions.

Private addressing is designated for internal network use and ensures the network is isolated from direct internet access, thereby conserving global address space and enhancing security. Public addresses are intended for devices that require internet accessibility. Loopback addresses are primarily utilized for local host testing and not meant for network configuration. APIPA addresses are self-assigned when DHCP servers fail to provide an address, and are not typically employed for deliberate internal networking setups.

Encryption of data at rest is the most effective measure for ensuring that stored data remains secure from unauthorized access. It transforms the stored data into a secured form that can only be decrypted with a specific key, thereby protecting the confidentiality of the information even if an intruder gains physical access to the storage. Separating data by clearance level, while useful, primarily pertains to data access control rather than securing the data itself. Regular password changes mainly strengthen access controls but do not secure the data if storage is compromised. Implementing strong firewall rules protects against external threats but doesn't secure the data once an attacker bypasses the network defenses.

CAT6a (Augmented Category 6) cables are designed to support 10 Gbps speeds up to a 100-meter channel length, which makes them the standard and most suitable choice for a 10GBase-T network deployment. CAT5e, although capable of 1 Gbps speeds, does not officially support 10 Gbps for 10GBase-T, except for very short, non-standard distances. CAT7 cables are capable of 10 Gbps speeds but are more expensive, have stricter installation requirements, and are generally considered overkill for standard 10GBase-T deployments, making CAT6a a more cost-effective option. CAT3 is an obsolete standard primarily used for telephone installations and supports much lower data speeds, making it unsuitable for modern Ethernet networks.

VXLAN is primarily used for Layer 2 network isolation over a Layer 3 network, allowing for the creation of a large number of isolated Layer 2 networks across geographically dispersed data centers. This technology is essential in scenarios where you need to extend the same Layer 2 domain across different data centers without physical connectivity limitations. Choice 'Extending Layer 2 domains across multiple data centers' directly reflects the capability of VXLAN to extend network segments over a Layer 3 infrastructure, which is crucial for large and distributed network architectures. Other options, while feasible in certain contexts, do not specifically leverage the unique Layer 2 encapsulation capabilities of VXLAN.

Port 587 is reserved for SMTP message submission. By default, it begins as an unencrypted session and should be upgraded to TLS with the STARTTLS command. Enabling STARTTLS on the server (and requiring clients to use it) ensures that each message is encrypted after the initial handshake. Using plain SMTP on port 587 does not guarantee encryption; implicit SSL/TLS requires port 465 instead, and IMAP is a different protocol entirely.

The correct practice is to address each issue separately to accurately pinpoint and solve individual problems without creating additional confusion or errors. Attempting to solve all problems simultaneously can lead to misdiagnosis or inefficiencies, as complex interactions might obscure the root causes.

SSH (Secure Shell) is the correct answer because it provides a secure channel over an unsecured network by using encryption, which ensures that login credentials and other sensitive data are not transmitted openly. Telnet, while also a remote management tool, does not encrypt communications and as such is not suitable for secure environments. An API, or Application Programming Interface, is a software intermediary that allows two applications to talk to each other, not a specific method for remote management with encryption. A console connection refers to a direct physical connection and does not imply encrypted remote communication.

A honeynet is intended to simulate a set of network resources to engage attackers, giving them an array of potential targets that are actually isolated and monitored environments. This allows security teams to analyze attack methods and behaviors without risk to real network assets. Honeypots are individual systems meant to attract attackers, but a honeynet consists of multiple honeypots and additional network devices, making the deception more complex and enabling the collection of broader information about malicious activities.