Practice Test Geeks(MTC) Marine Technician Certification Practice Test
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Computer Systems & Software Updates Flashcards

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

Read the first 7 Computer Systems & Software Updates flashcards as text

  1. When performing a software update on a vessel's Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), what must be verified before initiating the update?

    Answer: A backup of current charts and settings exists

    Before updating ECDIS software, a complete backup of current charts, routes, and configurations must exist to allow restoration if the update fails.

  2. Which communication protocol is most commonly used for data exchange between marine electronic instruments such as GPS, depth sounders, and autopilots?

    Answer: NMEA 0183

    NMEA 0183 is the standard serial communication protocol used by most marine instruments to share navigation data.

  3. A vessel's Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) software update fails mid-installation. What is the correct immediate action?

    Answer: Attempt to roll back to the previous software version

    A failed VDR update should trigger a rollback to the last known-good software version to restore mandatory recording functionality.

  4. What does the term 'firmware' refer to in the context of marine electronics?

    Answer: Low-level software embedded in hardware devices

    Firmware is low-level software permanently programmed into hardware devices that controls their basic functions.

  5. A shipboard computer system uses a RAID array for data storage. If one drive fails in a RAID 1 configuration, what happens to stored data?

    Answer: Data remains accessible because it is mirrored on another drive

    RAID 1 mirrors data across two drives, so a single drive failure does not result in data loss as the mirror continues to serve data.

  6. When updating the software on an Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder, which parameter must be verified after the update completes?

    Answer: MMSI number and vessel data accuracy

    After an AIS software update, the MMSI number and vessel identity data must be confirmed as updates can sometimes reset factory defaults.

  7. What is the primary purpose of a checksum verification during a marine software update?

    Answer: To confirm the downloaded file is complete and uncorrupted

    A checksum compares a calculated hash of the downloaded file against the manufacturer's published value to detect corruption or incomplete downloads.