ACSP Network Configuration 2

Question 1

What is the purpose of DNS (Domain Name System) in macOS network configuration?

Accepted Answer

DNS translates human-readable domain names (like apple.com) into numeric IP addresses that computers use to communicate

Answer

DNS resolves domain names to IP addresses. When a Mac connects to apple.com, it first queries a DNS server to get the IP address (e.g., 17.253.144.10), then connects to that IP. Without DNS, users would need to memorize numeric IP addresses.

Question 2

What is a DHCP reservation (also called a static DHCP or DHCP binding) and why is it useful?

Accepted Answer

A DHCP reservation assigns a specific IP address to a device based on its MAC address, ensuring the device always gets the same IP while still using DHCP

Answer

A DHCP reservation (static lease) tells the DHCP server to always assign the same IP address to a specific device, identified by its MAC (hardware) address. This gives a device a predictable IP without manually configuring static IP settings on the device itself.

Question 3

What is the difference between 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands in terms of macOS network performance?

Accepted Answer

5GHz offers higher speeds and less interference but shorter range; 2.4GHz offers longer range but slower speeds and more interference from other devices

Answer

5GHz Wi-Fi provides faster speeds (up to Wi-Fi 6 and 6E standards) and less interference (fewer competing devices use 5GHz) but has shorter range and worse penetration through walls. 2.4GHz travels farther through obstacles but is crowded and slower.

Question 4

How do you configure a Mac to use a specific network interface first when multiple network connections are available?

Accepted Answer

In System Settings > Network, use the three-dot menu to set the service order, placing the preferred interface at the top

Answer

Network service order in macOS determines which interface is used first when multiple connections are active. In System Settings > Network, click the three-dot '...' menu button and choose 'Set Service Order' to drag interfaces into priority order.

Question 5

What is mDNS (Multicast DNS) and how does it enable local network device discovery on macOS?

Accepted Answer

mDNS allows devices on the local network to announce and discover services without a central DNS server, using the .local domain suffix (e.g., MacBook.local)

Answer

mDNS (Bonjour) enables zero-configuration networking on the local network. Devices announce their services using the .local domain, and other devices can discover them without needing a DNS server — enabling AirPrint, AirPlay, and local network service discovery.

ACSP - Apple Certified Support Professional Practice Test

ACSP - Apple Certified Support Professional Practice Test

ACSP Network Configuration 2