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Network Configuration Flashcards

6 cards from real ACSP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 Network Configuration flashcards as text

  1. What is a VPN (Virtual Private Network) and what types does macOS natively support?

    Answer: A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel for network traffic; macOS natively supports IKEv2, IPSec, and L2TP over IPSec VPN protocols

    A VPN encrypts and tunnels network traffic through a private server. macOS natively supports IKEv2, Cisco IPSec, and L2TP over IPSec VPN connections in System Settings > Network > Add VPN Configuration, without requiring third-party client apps.

  2. What is Ethernet autonegotiation and what might cause a Mac to connect at a lower speed than the network supports?

    Answer: Autonegotiation allows Ethernet devices to automatically agree on speed and duplex; mismatched settings (one end hardcoded, other auto) cause speed reduction or errors

    Ethernet autonegotiation lets both ends of a link exchange capabilities and agree on the best speed/duplex. If one device is hardcoded to a specific speed/duplex while the other autonegotiates, the result is duplex mismatch — causing severely reduced throughput and errors.

  3. How does macOS handle network interface bonding, and what benefit does it provide?

    Answer: macOS supports Link Aggregation (LACP) via Network settings, combining multiple Ethernet interfaces for increased bandwidth and/or redundancy

    macOS supports IEEE 802.3ad Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) for bonding multiple Ethernet interfaces. This can be configured in System Settings > Network > Add Interface > Link Aggregate, combining multiple Ethernet ports for higher throughput and/or failover redundancy.

  4. What is the 'Captive Network Assistant' in macOS and when does it appear?

    Answer: It automatically detects captive portals (hotel/airport Wi-Fi login pages) and opens a browser window to complete authentication

    When macOS detects it is connected to a network but cannot reach the internet (typical of captive portals at hotels, airports, and coffee shops), it automatically launches the Captive Network Assistant — a limited browser window for completing the Wi-Fi login/authentication page.

  5. What is the difference between a proxy server and a VPN from a macOS configuration perspective?

    Answer: A proxy redirects specific application traffic (usually HTTP/HTTPS) through an intermediate server; a VPN tunnels all network traffic at the OS level through an encrypted connection

    Proxy servers intercept and forward traffic from specific applications or protocols (HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS) at the application layer. VPNs operate at the network layer, tunneling all TCP/IP traffic from the entire system through an encrypted connection.

  6. How does macOS determine whether to use IPv4 or IPv6 when both are available on a network interface?

    Answer: macOS prefers IPv6 for external connections following RFC 6724 address selection rules, while using IPv4 as fallback — the 'Happy Eyeballs' algorithm (RFC 6555) is used for dual-stack connections

    macOS follows RFC 6724 default address selection rules, generally preferring IPv6 for external destinations when available. The Happy Eyeballs algorithm (RFC 6555) starts both IPv4 and IPv6 connections simultaneously, using whichever succeeds first — ensuring fast connections even if one protocol path is slow.