CTA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CTA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What type of fiber connector is most commonly used in US data centers and enterprise networks for high-density single-mode applications? → LC (Lucent Connector)
2. What is the primary technical difference between HSPA+ and LTE in terms of network architecture? → LTE uses a flat all-IP architecture; HSPA+ relies on the older 3G RNC/NodeB hierarchy
3. Which protocol ensures secure web communication? → HTTPS
4. Which topology features a central connection point? → Star topology
5. Which attack involves overwhelming a network with excessive traffic? → Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack
6. In DSL technology, what is referred to as the 'last mile'? → The connection between the central office and the customer premises
7. Which optical measurement specification defines the minimum Optical Return Loss (ORL) requirement for a fiber link to protect laser transmitters? → ORL should be greater than 35 dB per Telcordia GR-326
8. What is the role of encryption in network security? → Converts data into unreadable format for security
9. What is 'spectrum refarming' in the context of mobile networks? → Repurposing legacy spectrum bands (e.g., 2G/3G) for newer technologies like 4G/5G
10. What does 'beamforming' enable in 5G massive MIMO systems? → Redirecting radio energy toward specific users instead of broadcasting in all directions
11. What is the primary factor that limits ADSL performance compared to fiber optic broadband? → Signal attenuation increasing with loop distance from the CO
12. According to TIA-568 standards, what is the maximum channel length for a Cat 6 horizontal cabling run? → 100 meters
13. What does an OTDR (Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer) measure in a fiber optic link? → The distance to faults, splices, and connectors by analyzing backscattered light pulses
14. Which multiplexing technique separates upstream and downstream signals on an HFC cable network? → Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM)
15. Which cellular network element manages radio resources and controls base stations in a 4G LTE network? → eNodeB (eNB)
16. Which protocol is used by internet service providers to assign IP addresses dynamically to customers' devices? → DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
17. What step should be taken if a network is suspected to be compromised? → Disconnect the affected system from the network
18. Which technology uses light to transmit data at high speeds? → Fiber optic cables
19. What is the primary advantage of symmetric broadband (equal upstream and downstream speeds) for enterprise customers? → Optimal support for cloud applications, VoIP, video conferencing, and off-site backups
20. What is 'churn rate' as a KPI in the telecommunications industry? → The percentage of subscribers who disconnect or cancel service within a given period
21. What is the main advantage of using VLANs in network design? → Improve network segmentation and security
22. Which technology is used for high-speed internet over phone lines? → DSL
23. Which international standard is crucial for data privacy regulations? → GDPR
24. What is the function of a VPN in network security? → Provide a secure encrypted tunnel for data
25. What type of cable is used in most US residential CATV (cable TV) and HFC networks to connect homes to the distribution network? → RG-6 coaxial cable
26. In a Passive Optical Network (PON), what device splits the optical signal from the central office to multiple subscriber premises? → Optical splitter
27. What is the primary purpose of a network topology? → Defines arrangement and connections of network devices
28. Which protocol ensures reliable transmission of data? → TCP
29. What is redundancy in network design? → Providing backup paths for reliability
30. Which broadband technology uses millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum above 24 GHz to deliver multi-gigabit fixed wireless access? → mmWave 5G Fixed Wireless Access (5G FWA)