NETWORK ESSENTIALS –
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS
SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQs) – 1
Mark Each
1. Which network topology connects all devices to a central hub or switch?
2. a) Bus
3. b) Star
4. c) Ring
5. d) Mesh
6. What is the function of the transport layer in the OSI model?
a) Determines best path for data
b) Ensures reliable data transfer using TCP/UDP
c) Provides encryption and data formatting
d) Converts data into signals for transmission
7. Which protocol is used to send email?
a) SMTP
b) FTP
c) HTTP
d) DHCP
8. What does DHCP stand for?
a) Domain Host Control Protocol
b) Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
c) Data Handling and Control Protocol
d) Device Hardware Configuration Protocol
9. Which class of IP addresses supports up to 16 million hosts?
a) Class C
b) Class A
c) Class B
d) Class D
10. Which of the following protocols is responsible for resolving domain names to
IP addresses?
a) DNS
b) HTTP
c) FTP
d) ARP
11. Which device amplifies and retransmits network signals?
a) Hub
b) Repeater
c) Switch
d) Router
12. What is the purpose of NAT in networking?
a) Assigns MAC addresses
b) Converts private IP addresses to public IP addresses
c) Encrypts network traffic
d) Provides authentication services
13. Which command is used to check the route that packets take to a destination?
a) ping
b) ipconfig
c) tracert (Windows) / traceroute (Linux)
d) nslookup
14. Which network model describes how data moves between devices in layers?
a) OSI Model
b) TCP/IP Model
c) Ethernet Model
d) Client-Server Model
SECTION B: SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS – 3 Marks Each
11. What is the difference between TCP and UDP?
• TCP (Transmission Control Protocol): Reliable, connection-oriented, ensures data
integrity.
• UDP (User Datagram Protocol): Fast, connectionless, used for streaming and
VoIP.
12. Explain the function of an IP address.
• An IP address uniquely identifies devices on a network, enabling data routing.
13. What is NAT (Network Address Translation)?
• NAT allows multiple devices to share a single public IP, enhancing security and
conserving addresses.
14. State two advantages of using a switch over a hub.
• Reduces network congestion by forwarding data only to the intended device.
• Improves security by limiting data access to only the recipient device.
15. Convert the IP address 192.168.1.1 to binary.
192 = 11000000
168 = 10101000
1 = 00000001
1 = 00000001
• Binary Representation: 11000000.10101000.00000001.00000001
16. Define subnetting and state its importance.
• Subnetting is dividing a network into smaller subnetworks to improve security and
efficiency.
17. What is the difference between public and private IP addresses?
• Public IP: Globally unique, used on the internet.
• Private IP: Used within local networks, not routable on the internet.
18. Differentiate between static and dynamic IP addressing.
• Static IP: Manually assigned, remains fixed.
• Dynamic IP: Assigned by DHCP, changes periodically.
SECTION C: NETWORK CONFIGURATION &
TROUBLESHOOTING – 5 Marks Each
19. A network administrator needs to test the connectivity of a remote server.
Which command should they use? Explain.
• Command: ping <server-IP>
• Explanation:
o Sends ICMP Echo Request packets.
o If the server responds, it's online and reachable.
20. Identify three causes of slow network performance.
• High network congestion: Too many devices using bandwidth.
• Faulty network hardware: Slow or failing routers/switches.
• Interference: Wireless networks affected by physical obstacles.
21. What is the subnet mask for a network with 62 usable hosts? Show
calculations.
• Subnet Mask: /26 (255.255.255.192)
• Calculation:
o Formula: 2^n - 2 ≥ required hosts
o 2^6 - 2 = 62 (6 bits for hosts)
22. Explain how a firewall enhances network security.
• Monitors and controls incoming/outgoing traffic.
• Blocks unauthorized access.
• Protects against malware and cyber threats.
SECTION D: LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS – 10 Marks Each
23. Describe the steps to configure a network using static IP addressing.
• Step 1: Open network settings on the device.
• Step 2: Choose the network adapter and select "Properties."
• Step 3: Navigate to TCP/IPv4 settings.
• Step 4: Enter a static IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway.
• Step 5: Add DNS server addresses.
• Step 6: Save changes and restart the network adapter.
24. Explain three network security measures and their importance.
• Firewalls: Block unauthorized access.
• Encryption: Secures data transmission.
• Access Control: Limits user permissions to prevent breaches.
25. Explain the OSI model and its seven layers.
• Layer 1: Physical Layer – Manages the transmission of raw data bits (e.g., cables,
Wi-Fi).
• Layer 2: Data Link Layer – Responsible for MAC addressing and error detection
(e.g., Ethernet).
• Layer 3: Network Layer – Handles IP addressing and routing (e.g., Routers).
• Layer 4: Transport Layer – Manages data transport using TCP/UDP.
• Layer 5: Session Layer – Establishes and manages sessions between applications.
• Layer 6: Presentation Layer – Handles encryption, compression, and data
translation.
• Layer 7: Application Layer – Interfaces with end-user applications (e.g., HTTP,
FTP).
26. Design a subnet for a company with 4 departments, each needing 50 devices.
Use 192.168.1.0/24.
• Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.192 (/26)
• Subnets Created:
o 192.168.1.0/26 (50 hosts)
o 192.168.1.64/26 (50 hosts)
o 192.168.1.128/26 (50 hosts)
o 192.168.1.192/26 (50 hosts)
✅ FINAL COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS! 🎯
This version adds more important possible quiz questions to the existing exam set
ensuring maximum coverage for your Network Essentials unit!
