CompTIA Network+ Practice Test (N10-009)

A VPN Gateway is the correct choice because it creates a secure network connection over the internet that enables safe communication between the on-premises data center and the VPC. This gateway uses tunneling and encryption to ensure data security and integrity. Internet gateways are not appropriate as they mainly facilitate outbound and inbound access to the internet rather than secure, site-to-site connections. NAT gateways are mostly used for mapping local private IP addresses to a public address before transferring the information to the internet, which is not directly relevant to creating secure channels for hybrid connectivity.

The communication problem stems from the use of differing network masks which logically places the devices on different subnets, despite being physically on the same network segment. Aligning both devices to the same network mask resolves this discrepancy by placing them on the same logical network, thereby facilitating direct communication. Modifying individual addresses or segmenting the network further does not confront the root cause, which is the mismatch in network masks. Changing network cables is unrelated to an issue caused by subnet configuration.

The 5GHz band tends to support faster data rates and has more channels available, which reduces interference and improves overall network performance compared to the 2.4GHz band. The incorrect answers refer to incorrect or exaggerated characteristics of the 5GHz band.

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.

Implementing network segmentation isolates critical industrial systems from the corporate IT network, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access or malware spreading from less secure networks. Although changing default passwords and securing wireless signals are important security measures, they do not directly address the heightened risks associated with interconnected industrial environments. Regular software updates are crucial but would not be the sole or most effective strategy for securing industrial control systems where system stability and compatibility are critical, and updates must be carefully managed.

A collapsed core design combines the functionality of both the core and distribution layers into a single layer. This model is advantageous in smaller networks due to reduced hardware needs and simplified management. While all of the other answers describe possible configurations in a network, they either describe other types of networks, mix up hierarchical layers, or add elements not specific to collapsed core networks, such as direct connections from devices to a centralized hub.

The primary purpose of the ping command is to test the reachability of a host on an IP network and measure the round-trip time for messages sent from the originating host to a destination computer. This is crucial for initially diagnosing connectivity issues. Answers involving speed testing or direct problem resolution are incorrect because ping does not measure network speed in terms of throughput and cannot resolve the problems itself; it merely checks connectivity and latency.

PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards) is specifically designed to protect cardholder data during processing and storage. This standard applies to all entities involved in payment card processing, including merchants, processors, acquirers, issuers, and service providers. GDPR focuses on the protection of personal information of individuals within the European Union, making it too broad for this particular context. Data locality emphasizes the localization of stored data for regulatory reasons, which is not directly related to payment data protection.

The correct answer is Cold site. A cold site supplies an empty but prepared facility with essential utilities (power, HVAC, cabling) where an organization can bring in its own equipment after a disaster. Because no servers, applications, or synchronized data are ready beforehand, significant time is required to install hardware, restore backups, and resume normal operations. Hot sites and warm sites already contain at least some operational hardware and more current data, enabling faster recovery, while cloud-based DR solutions typically host virtualized resources that can be brought online more quickly than a cold site.

While a cable tester can effectively detect electrical problems, such as discontinuities, shorts, or miswirings (crossed or reversed wires), it cannot directly determine signal degradation issues like attenuation or interference. These types of problems require more advanced analysis typically provided by a network analyzer, which can measure the quality of signal transmission and identify disturbances or signal loss over a network cable.

When applying the bottom-to-top (bottom-up) approach in the OSI model, the technician starts at the Physical layer. This layer encompasses the network's tangible components-cables, connectors, and hardware interfaces-making it the first place to check for link lights, proper terminations, or damaged media before examining higher-layer configurations and protocols.

A tabletop exercise is a discussion-based walkthrough that validates roles, communication paths, and documented procedures. Because no production systems are taken offline and no resources are actually failed over, it carries minimal risk and cost. In contrast, hot-site failover tests, full-scale simulations, and active-passive switchover drills all require some level of live system recovery or redirection of services.

The appropriate step when suspecting conflicting network address configurations is to check for entries in the DHCP server logs and inspect the settings on the devices involved. This allows the administrator to pinpoint the source of the conflict accurately. Options like restarting networking equipment or altering physical connections might seem plausible but don't address the core issue identified, which is related to address assignments and requires specific targeting.

Multifactor authentication (MFA) offers the highest level of security among the options given as it requires two or more independent credentials for user verification. This approach combines something the user knows (like a password), something the user has (such as a security token), and something the user is (like a fingerprint) to ensure a higher degree of user identity verification compared to methods that utilize only a single factor.

The correct answer is that the switch and VoIP phones are using different PoE standards (e.g., IEEE 802.3af vs. 802.3at). The 802.3af (PoE) standard provides up to 15.4W of power from the power sourcing equipment (PSE), while the 802.3at (PoE+) standard provides up to 30W from the PSE, allowing for up to 25.5W at the powered device (PD). If the VoIP phones require more power than the switch's ports can provide according to the 802.3af standard, they will fail to power on. Ensuring both the PSE and PD support the same or a compatible PoE standard is essential for proper operation.