CompTIA Network+ OSI Model Practice Questions: Protocols
8 free, exam-style CompTIA Network+ OSI Model (N10-009) practice questions covering Protocols. Each question shows the correct answer and a clear explanation. Ready for the real thing? Take the full timed quiz below.
Q1. Which of the answers listed below refers to a common OSI Layer 2 protocol?
A.HTTP
B.IP
C.ARP✓ Correct
D.ICMP
Explanation: ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) resolves IP addresses to MAC addresses and operates at Layer 2/Layer 3 boundary, but is often considered a Layer 2 protocol as it works with frames.
Q2. Which OSI layer uses TCP and UDP port numbers?
A.Transport layer✓ Correct
B.Network layer
C.Data Link layer
D.Physical layer
Explanation: The Transport layer uses ports to identify application conversations.
Q3. At which OSI layer does flow control using TCP windowing occur?
A.Transport layer✓ Correct
B.Application layer
C.Physical layer
D.Data Link layer only
Explanation: TCP windowing is a Layer 4 flow control mechanism.
Q4. Which OSI layer is responsible for end-to-end reliable delivery when TCP is used?
A.Transport layer✓ Correct
B.Network layer
C.Data Link layer
D.Physical layer
Explanation: TCP provides reliability, sequencing, and retransmission at the Transport layer.
Q5. Which OSI layer adds source and destination port numbers?
A.Transport layer✓ Correct
B.Data Link layer
C.Physical layer
D.Presentation layer
Explanation: TCP and UDP add port numbers at the Transport layer.
Q6. Which OSI layer is most associated with routing protocol decisions?
A.Network layer✓ Correct
B.Data Link layer
C.Physical layer
D.Presentation layer
Explanation: Routing protocols support Layer 3 path selection and packet forwarding.
Q7. Which OSI layer is most associated with retransmission of lost TCP segments?
A.Transport layer✓ Correct
B.Network layer
C.Data Link layer
D.Physical layer
Explanation: TCP retransmission is a Transport layer reliability function.
Q8. Which OSI layer is most associated with ARP in IPv4 networks?
A.Data Link and Network boundary✓ Correct
B.Presentation only
C.Session only
D.Application only
Explanation: ARP resolves Layer 3 IPv4 addresses to Layer 2 MAC addresses, bridging the Layer 2 and Layer 3 boundary.