Networking Practice Flashcards

Andrea is enjoying on her new desktop computer when the computer abruptly shuts down. She double-checks that the power cords are still in place, which they are. Her parents inform her that the power outlet she is using has always created problems, so she feels she should check the power supply in her computer. What device could she use to double-check both voltages?

Answer: multimeter

A multimeter is an essential diagnostic tool used to measure various electrical properties, including voltage, current, and resistance. To check the voltage output of a power outlet and the different voltage rails supplied by a computer's power supply, a technician would use a multimeter. This allows for precise measurements to confirm if the power sources are delivering the correct electrical values.

Adrian is a data scientist who spends a lot of time on his desktop computer playing around with large data file. Adrian hears a very loud clicking noise as he tries to pull up one particularly large file. What does this mean?

Answer: mechanical drive failure

A loud clicking noise emanating from a hard drive is a classic and critical symptom of an impending or active mechanical drive failure. This sound typically indicates that the read/write heads are failing to properly seek data tracks or have crashed onto the platters. Such a noise usually signifies that the hard drive is physically damaged and data loss is highly probable.

Billy enjoys music and recently borrowed a USB drive from a friend to transfer a new record to his computer. After he's finished, he leaves the USB drive plugged in and turns the computer off for the night. When he tries to start his computer the next day, he gets an error screen that says "OS Not Found." What could the issue be?

Answer: incorrect boot sequence

An 'OS Not Found' error, especially after leaving a USB drive plugged in, commonly indicates an incorrect boot sequence in the computer's BIOS/UEFI settings. The system is likely attempting to boot from the USB drive first, and since it doesn't contain a bootable operating system, it fails to find one. Adjusting the boot order to prioritize the internal hard drive usually resolves this issue.

Jack is an avid gamer who spends many hours on his computer playing the latest World of Warcraft installment (WoW). He's been playing for an incredible 36 hours straight during this session! He catches a whiff of a burning smell coming from his computer and turns it down right away. What exactly is the issue?

Answer: burned out hardware

A burning smell coming from a computer, particularly after extended periods of intensive use like gaming, is a serious indicator of overheating leading to hardware failure. Components such as the CPU, GPU, or power supply can generate excessive heat, and if cooling systems are inadequate or fail, they can literally burn out. This situation requires immediate shutdown to prevent further, irreversible damage.

Jay has owned his computer for quite some time and was just telling a friend about how dependable it was. He tries to turn on his computer the next morning, but nothing happens. He double-checks that all cords are plugged in, but it still doesn't work. What could the problem be?

Answer: no power

If a computer fails to turn on at all, even after confirming all power cords are securely plugged in, the most fundamental problem is a lack of power. This could stem from a faulty power outlet, a tripped circuit breaker, a defective power supply unit (PSU) within the computer, or a loose internal power connection. Without power, no components can receive electricity to initiate the boot process.

After connecting 100 ethernet cables for your new workplace, you discover that one of the PCs to which you connected them appears to be unconnected. You need to locate the other end of the cable in the data closet, but you forgot to name the cables. What tools could you use to locate the cable's other end?

Answer: toner probe

A toner probe (or tone generator and probe kit) is the ideal tool for tracing and identifying specific cables within a bundle. The tone generator sends an audible signal down one end of the cable, and the probe is used at the other end to detect that unique tone. This allows a technician to quickly locate the corresponding cable in a crowded data closet without needing labels.

What tool would you use to secure the RJ45 connector to the ethernet connection's wiring?

Answer: crimper

A crimper, specifically an RJ45 crimping tool, is used to securely attach an RJ45 connector to the end of an Ethernet cable. This tool presses the connector's metal pins into the individual wires of the cable, creating a reliable electrical connection. It is an essential tool for technicians who need to create custom-length Ethernet cables.

Ntbackup is supported by which OS systems?

Answer: Windows XP

`Ntbackup.exe` was the native backup and restore utility included with Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. It allowed users to back up and restore system state, files, and folders. In later Windows operating systems like Vista and 7, `Ntbackup` was replaced by the 'Windows Backup and Restore' feature, which offered a different interface and functionality.

What is the procedure for setting up Remote Desktop for Windows 7?

Answer: Remote desktop is installed by default.

Remote Desktop Connection is a feature that comes pre-installed by default in professional and enterprise editions of Windows 7 (and later versions). While the client application is always present, the Remote Desktop *server* functionality, which allows other computers to connect to it, needs to be explicitly enabled in the System Properties under the 'Remote' tab.

Where would you look to find out how many times an app has failed to load?

Answer: Reliability and Performance Monitor

The Reliability Monitor, found within the 'Action Center' or by searching for 'Reliability History,' provides a detailed historical view of system stability and application failures. It tracks application crashes, hangs, and other significant system events over time. This tool allows users to see how many times an application has failed to load and helps identify patterns of instability.

What is the process for removing the Windows Vista sidebar from the desktop?

Answer: Right-click on the sidebar, select properties and then uncheck the Start Sidebar when Windows starts.

To prevent the Windows Vista Sidebar from launching automatically, you would right-click directly on the sidebar itself. From the context menu that appears, select 'Properties.' Within the properties window, there is an option to uncheck 'Start Sidebar when Windows starts,' which will disable its automatic launch upon system boot.

When a user reports that the printer has failed to print a document, what would you do first?

Answer: Have the user check to see if the printer is offline

When a printer fails to print, the first and simplest troubleshooting step is to verify its current status. Printers can often go offline due to minor issues like a paused print queue, a physical button press, or a temporary network disconnection. Checking if the printer is offline is a quick way to rule out common, easily resolvable problems before investigating more complex driver or configuration issues.

In Windows Vista, how do you install an earlier version of the system registry?

Answer: Open System Tools located in All Programs, Accessories, and then select System Restore.

In Windows Vista, the primary method for restoring an earlier version of the system registry and other critical system files is through System Restore. This utility can be accessed by navigating to 'All Programs,' then 'Accessories,' and finally 'System Tools,' where 'System Restore' is listed. It allows users to revert their system to a previous restore point, effectively rolling back system changes including registry modifications.

In the event viewer, what symbol is used to signify a warning?

Answer: A yellow triangle with an exclamation mark.

In the Windows Event Viewer, a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark is the standard icon used to denote a 'Warning' event. Warning events indicate potential problems that are not critical errors but could lead to issues, or they signify non-critical failures during an operation. This visual cue helps users quickly identify events that require attention but are not as severe as critical errors.

For a customer, you're analyzing cryptographic algorithms. The customer has a specific requirement for shared secret encryption. To meet the requirement, you must offer an encryption algorithm. Which algorithm do you think is the best?

Answer: Symmetric key algorithm

Symmetric key algorithms are precisely what the customer requires for 'shared secret encryption.' These algorithms use a single, identical key for both encrypting and decrypting data. This shared secret must be securely exchanged between the communicating parties. Examples include AES and DES, which are highly efficient for encrypting large volumes of data once the key is established.

A cryptographic hardware component capable of securely storing data such as passwords and keys is referred to by which of the following acronyms?

Answer: TPM

TPM stands for Trusted Platform Module. It is a specialized cryptographic hardware component, typically a microchip, that is designed to securely store sensitive data such as encryption keys, passwords, and digital certificates. TPMs provide hardware-level security for cryptographic operations and help protect against tampering, making them crucial for securing devices and data.

________ is a suite of security extensions for an Internet service that converts domain names to IP addresses.

Answer: DNSSEC

DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) is a suite of security extensions that adds cryptographic authentication to the Domain Name System (DNS). It helps protect against DNS spoofing and cache poisoning attacks by digitally signing DNS records. This ensures that users are connecting to the legitimate website or service associated with a domain name, enhancing internet security.

"Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 servers, unified communications clients, and unified communications applications have been implemented at Company ABC. They are presently in the process of moving from solution to support. What is the name of this project phase?"

Answer: Operations

The scenario describes Company ABC moving from implementing a solution to providing ongoing support for it. This phase, where the system is actively used, maintained, monitored, and supported on a day-to-day basis, is known as the Operations phase in IT service management. It focuses on ensuring the deployed system runs smoothly, efficiently, and continues to meet user needs.