Network+ Network Troubleshooting Methodology Flashcards
7 cards from real COMPTIA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Network+ Network Troubleshooting Methodology flashcards as text
A technician is troubleshooting slow network performance affecting all users on a segment. A protocol analyzer shows a very high number of broadcast frames. What is MOST likely causing this?
Answer: A broadcast storm caused by a switching loop
A switching loop without Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) causes broadcast frames to circulate indefinitely, creating a broadcast storm that degrades network performance.
Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of baselining a network before troubleshooting?
Answer: To document what normal performance looks like so deviations can be identified
A network baseline captures normal performance metrics (throughput, latency, error rates) so that abnormal conditions can be recognized during troubleshooting.
A user cannot log in to a network resource and reports 'access denied.' From a troubleshooting perspective, which layer of the OSI model is MOST relevant to investigate?
Answer: Layer 7 – Application
Access denied errors are application-layer issues related to authentication, authorization, or permissions—all handled at Layer 7.
A technician tests a theory that a bad patch cable is causing connectivity loss, but replacing the cable does not fix the issue. According to the troubleshooting methodology, what should happen next?
Answer: Return the original cable and establish a new theory
When a tested theory does not resolve the issue, the technician should establish a new theory of probable cause and continue the process.
Which tool would BEST help a technician identify which physical port on a patch panel corresponds to a wall jack in another room?
Answer: Toner probe (tone generator and probe)
A tone generator injects an audio signal on the cable; the matching probe detects it at the other end, allowing identification of the correct patch panel port.
A workstation can ping its own IP address (loopback and NIC) but cannot ping any other device on the local subnet. The cable and switch port appear functional. What should be checked NEXT?
Answer: IP address and subnet mask for correct configuration
An incorrect IP address or subnet mask would prevent the workstation from communicating with other hosts on the local subnet even with a functional NIC and cable.
A technician is asked to troubleshoot why wireless users can access the internet but cannot reach internal file servers. Wired users have no issues. What is the MOST likely cause?
Answer: The wireless network is on a different subnet or VLAN with no route to the file server subnet
When wireless clients can reach the internet but not internal resources, they are often on a guest VLAN or separate subnet lacking routing to internal server segments.