CompTIA A+ Core 2 Practice Questions: Networking

47 free, exam-style CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102) practice questions covering Networking. Each question shows the correct answer and a clear explanation. Ready for the real thing? Take the full timed quiz below.

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Q1. Which port number is used by HTTPS by default?

Explanation: HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) uses port 443 by default to establish secure, encrypted communication between a client and a server. This ensures data integrity and confidentiality, making it essential for secure web browsing. Learn more.

Q2. What type of cable would you use to connect two computers directly without a switch?

Explanation: A crossover Ethernet cable is specifically designed to connect two computers directly without the need for a switch or hub. It reverses the transmit and receive signals, allowing the devices to communicate with each other. Learn more.

Q3. What does the 'ping' command primarily test?

Explanation: Ping tests network connectivity by sending ICMP echo requests. (Relevant for 1101 network troubleshooting) Learn more.

Q4. Which protocol is used for automatically assigning IP addresses?

Explanation: DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) automatically assigns IP addresses. Learn more.

Q5. Which command would you use to display TCP/IP configuration in Windows?

Explanation: ipconfig displays the current TCP/IP network configuration. (Relevant for 1101 network troubleshooting) Learn more.

Q6. What is the function of a DNS server?

Explanation: DNS (Domain Name System) servers resolve human-readable domain names to machine-readable IP addresses. Learn more.

Q7. Which wireless standard operates at 5 GHz only?

Explanation: 802.11a operates exclusively at 5 GHz, while b/g operate at 2.4 GHz and n/ac/ax can use both. Learn more.

Q8. What does the 'tracert' command display?

Explanation: tracert (traceroute) shows the path packets take to reach a destination and measures transit delays. (Relevant for 1101 network troubleshooting) Learn more.

Q9. Which port is used by RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol)?

Explanation: RDP uses TCP port 3389 by default for remote connections. Learn more.

Q10. What is the purpose of the netstat command?

Explanation: netstat displays active network connections and listening ports. (Relevant for 1101 network troubleshooting) Learn more.

Q11. Which protocol is used for secure file transfer?

Explanation: SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) provides secure file transfer over encrypted connections. (Relevant for 1101 networking - protocols) Learn more.

Q12. What is the purpose of a VLAN?

Explanation: VLANs (Virtual LANs) logically segment networks for improved security and traffic management. (Relevant for 1101 networking concepts) Learn more.

Q13. Which protocol is used for email retrieval?

Explanation: POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3) is used to retrieve email from a server. Learn more.

Q14. Which protocol is used for dynamic IP address assignment in IPv6?

Explanation: DHCPv6 provides stateful address configuration for IPv6 networks. Learn more.

Q15. Which protocol is used for secure web browsing?

Explanation: HTTPS provides encrypted communication over HTTP using SSL/TLS. Learn more.

Q16. Which protocol is used for time synchronization?

Explanation: NTP (Network Time Protocol) synchronizes clocks across computer networks. Learn more.

Q17. Which type of network has the smallest geographic coverage?

Explanation: PAN (Personal Area Network) covers the smallest area, typically a single person's workspace. Learn more.

Q18. Which protocol is used for remote command-line access?

Explanation: SSH (Secure Shell) provides encrypted remote command-line access. Learn more.

Q19. Which protocol is used for name resolution?

Explanation: DNS (Domain Name System) translates domain names to IP addresses. Learn more.

Q20. Which protocol is used for sending email?

Explanation: SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is used for sending email messages. Learn more.

Q21. Which protocol is used for retrieving email while leaving it on the server?

Explanation: IMAP allows email access while keeping messages on the server. Learn more.

Q22. Which protocol is used for file sharing in Windows networks?

Explanation: SMB (Server Message Block) is the native file sharing protocol in Windows. Learn more.

Q23. Which component is responsible for wireless network connectivity?

Explanation: Wi-Fi cards provide wireless network connectivity in devices. Learn more.

Q24. Which protocol is used for network discovery in Windows?

Explanation: LLMNR (Link-Local Multicast Name Resolution) helps with local network name resolution. Learn more.

Q25. What is the default subnet mask for a Class C IP address?

Explanation: Class C IP addresses use a default subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. Learn more.

Q26. What is the primary function of a DNS server?

Explanation: DNS (Domain Name System) translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses. Learn more.

Q27. What is the purpose of the 'ping' command?

Explanation: Ping sends ICMP echo requests to test if a host is reachable. (Relevant for 1101 network troubleshooting) Learn more.

Q28. What is the purpose of 'ipconfig /release' command?

Explanation: 'ipconfig /release' drops the current DHCP-assigned IP address. (Relevant for 1101 network troubleshooting) Learn more.

Q29. Which wireless standard operates on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies?

Explanation: 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4) supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Learn more.

Q30. Which protocol is used for secure remote desktop connections?

Explanation: RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) allows secure remote access to Windows machines. Learn more.

Q31. What is the purpose of the 'route print' command?

Explanation: 'route print' displays the local IP routing table. (Relevant for 1101 network troubleshooting) Learn more.

Q32. Which protocol is used to securely transfer files over a network?

Explanation: SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) encrypts file transfers. (Relevant for 1101 networking - protocols) Learn more.

Q33. What is the purpose of a VLAN (Virtual LAN)?

Explanation: VLANs divide a physical network into isolated virtual networks. (Relevant for 1101 networking concepts) Learn more.

Q34. What is the purpose of the 'netstat -tuln' command?

Explanation: 'netstat -tuln' lists listening TCP/UDP ports and services. (Relevant for 1101 network troubleshooting, though `-tuln` is a Linux syntax, the concept of netstat is relevant) Learn more.

Q35. What is the purpose of the 'ifconfig' command?

Explanation: 'ifconfig' displays network interface configurations (Linux/macOS). (Relevant for 1101 network troubleshooting, analogous to ipconfig) Learn more.

Q36. Which protocol is used for secure web browsing?

Explanation: HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) encrypts communication between a user's browser and the web server using SSL/TLS. (Relevant for 1101 networking - protocols) Learn more.

Q37. What is the maximum length of a Cat 5e Ethernet cable for reliable data transmission?

Explanation: Cat 5e Ethernet cables support speeds up to 1 Gbps at distances up to 100 meters (328 feet). (Relevant for 1101 networking hardware) Learn more.

Q38. What is the default port number for FTP (File Transfer Protocol)?

Explanation: FTP uses port 21 to establish control commands and port 20 for actual file data transfer. (Relevant for 1101 networking - ports/protocols) Learn more.

Q39. What is the purpose of the 'ipconfig /flushdns' command in Windows?

Explanation: The 'ipconfig /flushdns' command clears the DNS resolver cache on a Windows system. (Relevant for 1101 network troubleshooting) Learn more.

Q40. What is the primary function of a DNS server in a TCP/IP network?

Explanation: DNS (Domain Name System) servers translate human-readable domain names into machine-readable IP addresses. (Relevant for 1101 networking services) Learn more.

Q41. A SOHO router feature allows specific internal IP addresses and ports to be accessible from the internet for services like a home web server. What is this feature called?

Explanation: Port Forwarding (or port mapping) allows remote computers to connect to a specific computer or service within a private LAN. (Relevant for 1101 SOHO network config) Learn more.

Q42. When selecting network cabling for installation in air handling spaces (e.g., above ceiling tiles), which type of cable jacket rating is required for fire safety?

Explanation: Plenum-rated cable has a special fire-retardant jacket required by fire codes in many areas for installation in plenum spaces. (Relevant for 1101 networking hardware - safety/standards) Learn more.

Q43. Which network device operates at Layer 2 (Data Link Layer) of the OSI model and uses MAC addresses to forward frames only to the intended recipient port?

Explanation: A switch learns the MAC addresses of connected devices and forwards frames intelligently to the specific port where the destination device is located, unlike a hub which broadcasts to all ports. Learn more.

Q44. Which of the following TCP ports is used by the DNS (Domain Name System) protocol for queries?

Explanation: DNS primarily uses UDP port 53 for queries, but TCP port 53 is also used, especially for zone transfers or when response data exceeds UDP size limits. Learn more.

Q45. Which command displays Windows IP configuration details?

Explanation: ipconfig /all shows detailed Windows network adapter information, including IP address, gateway, DNS, and MAC address. Learn more.

Q46. Which Windows command lists active network connections and listening ports?

Explanation: netstat -ano shows active connections, listening ports, and process IDs on Windows. Learn more.

Q47. Which Windows command displays the route table?

Explanation: route print displays IPv4 and IPv6 routing table entries on Windows. Learn more.

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