Microsoft Networking Essentials Exam Network Hardware & Infrastructure 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary function of a network switch?
- Connect different networks together
- Forward frames based on MAC addresses within a network (Correct answer)
- Assign IP addresses to devices
- Filter traffic based on IP addresses
Correct answer: Forward frames based on MAC addresses within a network
A network switch forwards Ethernet frames to the correct port based on the destination MAC address, operating at Layer 2 of the OSI model.
Question 2: Which cable type uses light to transmit data and is immune to electromagnetic interference?
- Cat 5e
- Coaxial
- Fiber optic (Correct answer)
- Cat 6a
Correct answer: Fiber optic
Fiber optic cables transmit data as pulses of light through glass or plastic fibers, making them immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and capable of long-distance, high-speed transmission.
Question 3: What device operates at Layer 3 and forwards packets between different networks?
- Hub
- Switch
- Bridge
- Router (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Router
A router operates at Layer 3 (Network Layer) and uses IP addresses to forward packets between different networks, making routing decisions based on routing tables.
Question 4: What is the maximum cable length for a standard Cat 5e Ethernet (100BASE-TX) run?
- 50 meters
- 100 meters (Correct answer)
- 150 meters
- 200 meters
Correct answer: 100 meters
The maximum recommended cable length for Cat 5e Ethernet (100BASE-TX) is 100 meters (328 feet) to ensure reliable signal quality.
Question 5: Which type of network topology connects all devices to a single central cable?
- Star topology
- Ring topology
- Bus topology (Correct answer)
- Mesh topology
Correct answer: Bus topology
In a bus topology, all devices connect to a single shared cable (the bus), and a break in the cable can bring down the entire network.
Question 6: What is the function of a repeater in a network?
- Filter network traffic
- Amplify and regenerate signals to extend network range (Correct answer)
- Assign IP addresses
- Connect different network types
Correct answer: Amplify and regenerate signals to extend network range
A repeater amplifies or regenerates network signals to extend the maximum distance a signal can travel without degradation.
Microsoft Networking Essentials Exam Network Hardware & Infrastructure 1
What is the primary function of a network switch?