Visit here for our full Cisco 200-301 exam dumps and practice test questions.
Question 41:
Which of the following devices is responsible for dividing a broadcast domain in a network?
A Hub
B Switch
C Router
D Bridge
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
A router (C) operates at Layer 3 (Network layer) of the OSI model and is the device responsible for dividing broadcast domains in a network. Broadcast domains refer to the portion of the network where a broadcast frame sent by any device can be received by all devices within that domain. Routers separate broadcast domains because they do not forward broadcast traffic between different network segments or subnets. When a broadcast packet is sent on one network segment, it is not forwarded to another segment by the router. This helps prevent broadcast storms from overwhelming the entire network.
For example, in a network with multiple subnets, routers connect these subnets and ensure that broadcasts from one subnet are not propagated to others. This division of broadcast domains is crucial for network efficiency, as excessive broadcast traffic can degrade performance.
On the other hand, a hub (A) is a Layer 1 device that simply repeats incoming signals to all connected ports, thereby allowing all devices to be in the same broadcast domain. Since hubs don’t filter traffic or segment the network, they can lead to broadcast storms if too many devices are connected.
A switch (B) operates at Layer 2 (Data Link layer) and, by default, does not divide broadcast domains. It creates collision domains but all devices connected to a switch are part of the same broadcast domain unless VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) are configured. VLANs allow switches to logically segment a network into multiple broadcast domains, but this is not the default behavior of switches.
A bridge (D) is also a Layer 2 device used to segment networks by connecting similar network segments, but it also does not create new broadcast domains by default. Similar to switches, bridges only reduce collision domains but keep the broadcast domain intact. With the introduction of switches, the role of bridges has become less common.
Question 42:
What is the default administrative distance of an EIGRP route in a Cisco network?
A 90
B 100
C 120
D 110
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
The default administrative distance (AD) for EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol) routes in a Cisco network is 90. The administrative distance is a value that routers use to prioritize routing information from different routing protocols. The lower the AD, the higher the priority of the routing protocol. If a router learns about the same network from multiple routing protocols, it will choose the route with the lowest AD.
EIGRP’s AD of 90 is one of the lowest default values, reflecting its reliability and efficiency in dynamically selecting optimal paths. This makes it a preferred choice for many enterprise networks. EIGRP uses DUAL (Diffusing Update Algorithm) to ensure that routes are loop-free and efficient, and it maintains a topology table for rapid route recalculation in the event of topology changes.
For comparison:
- B 100 is the default AD for OSPF (Open Shortest Path First), a link-state routing protocol that offers fast convergence and is commonly used in larger networks.
- C 120 is the default AD for RIP (Routing Information Protocol), a distance-vector routing protocol with slower convergence times and a less efficient routing metric than EIGRP and OSPF.
- D 110 is the default AD for IBGP (Internal BGP), which is used for routing between routers within an Autonomous System (AS) in BGP-based networks.
In summary, EIGRP provides fast, scalable, and reliable routing and has a default administrative distance that reflects its importance in choosing the best route in Cisco networks.
Question 43:
Which layer of the OSI model is responsible for establishing, managing, and terminating sessions between applications?
A Physical
B Data Link
C Network
D Session
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
The Session layer (D) is responsible for managing the sessions between applications. In the OSI model, the Session layer (Layer 5) sits above the Transport layer and below the Presentation layer. It is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and terminating connections between two devices that are communicating with each other. The Session layer ensures that data flows in an orderly fashion between applications on different devices, organizing data into dialogues or sessions.
One key function of the Session layer is session management. It keeps track of the session state, ensuring that if a connection is lost, it can be re-established. It also provides synchronization, so that if there are multiple data transfers between applications, the communication remains organized. This is particularly useful when dealing with large files or applications that require continuous data exchange.
For instance, NetBIOS and RPC (Remote Procedure Call) are examples of protocols that operate at the Session layer to handle communication sessions between networked applications.
- A The Physical layer (Layer 1) is responsible for transmitting raw bits over a physical medium, such as cables or radio waves. It does not manage sessions or any higher-level communication processes.
- B The Data Link layer (Layer 2) handles communication between devices on the same physical network, such as MAC addressing and error detection, but it does not manage sessions between applications.
- C The Network layer (Layer 3) is responsible for logical addressing and routing, ensuring that packets are delivered from source to destination across different networks. However, it does not manage application sessions.
In conclusion, the Session layer’s role is crucial for reliable and synchronized communication between applications, especially in complex or long-running data exchanges.
Question 44:
Which of the following is used to secure a wireless network and prevent unauthorized access?
A MAC filtering
B WEP
C WPA
D VLAN tagging
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) (C) is a security protocol that is used to protect wireless networks from unauthorized access and eavesdropping. It improves the security offered by its predecessor WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), which was found to have significant vulnerabilities. WPA uses advanced encryption methods such as TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) and, in its more secure version, WPA2, uses AES (Advanced Encryption Standard). These encryption methods provide better data protection and authentication mechanisms to ensure that only authorized devices can connect to the network.
WPA also supports stronger authentication protocols like 802.1X, which allows for user-based authentication before access to the network is granted. This significantly improves security by ensuring that only authorized users can connect to the wireless network.
- A MAC filtering is a security feature that restricts network access based on the MAC addresses of devices. While it adds a layer of security, it is not sufficient by itself because MAC addresses can be spoofed by attackers.
- B WEP is an outdated and insecure protocol that has been deprecated due to its susceptibility to various attacks, such as the IV (Initialization Vector) attack.
- D VLAN tagging is used to segment traffic into different virtual LANs (VLANs) and is not a security measure for protecting wireless networks.
In summary, WPA (and its successor WPA2) provides strong security for wireless networks by using robust encryption algorithms and user authentication methods.
Question 45:
Which of the following protocols is used by a router to exchange routing information within an Autonomous System?
A BGP
B OSPF
C RIP
D IGRP
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) (B) is a link-state routing protocol used to exchange routing information within an Autonomous System (AS). It is widely used in large networks due to its ability to efficiently find the shortest path for data transmission and its scalability. OSPF routers exchange information about the state of their links, allowing each router to create a map of the network topology. OSPF then calculates the best path to each destination using the Dijkstra algorithm, ensuring that the network converges quickly and efficiently.
OSPF is an Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP), meaning it is used for routing within a single organization or Autonomous System. It provides faster convergence and better scalability compared to distance-vector protocols like RIP.
- A BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is an Exterior Gateway Protocol (EGP), which is used to exchange routing information between different Autonomous Systems on the Internet. It is not typically used for internal routing within a single AS.
- C RIP (Routing Information Protocol) is another IGP that uses a distance-vector routing algorithm. While simple and easy to configure, RIP has slower convergence times and limited scalability compared to OSPF and is less commonly used in larger networks today.
- D IGRP (Interior Gateway Routing Protocol) is an older protocol developed by Cisco. While it was once used as an IGP, it has been largely replaced by EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol) in Cisco networks due to EIGRP’s more advanced features and capabilities.
To summarize, OSPF is a robust and scalable routing protocol that is commonly used for routing within an Autonomous System due to its efficiency, fast convergence, and ability to handle complex network topologies.
Question 46:
What is the purpose of a router’s routing table?
A It stores the IP addresses of all connected devices
B It maps network addresses to physical addresses
C It stores information about the paths to different network destinations
D It stores configuration settings for the router
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
A router’s routing table is crucial for determining how to forward packets across networks. It stores information about the best paths to reach different network destinations. Each entry in the table typically includes details such as the destination IP address, the next hop to reach that destination, the subnet mask, and the interface through which the packet should be forwarded. The router uses this table to determine the optimal path for packet delivery.
When a router receives a packet, it checks the destination IP address of the packet and looks for a matching entry in the routing table. If a match is found, the router forwards the packet along the appropriate path. If no match is found, the router may either drop the packet or forward it to a default route if one is configured.
There are several types of routes in a router’s routing table, including directly connected routes, static routes manually configured by the administrator, and dynamic routes learned from routing protocols such as OSPF, RIP, or EIGRP. These dynamic protocols allow routers to adjust their routing tables automatically in response to changes in the network topology.
It is important to note that the routing table does not store information about all connected devices, nor does it map network addresses to physical (MAC) addresses. These tasks are handled by other protocols like ARP. Additionally, a router’s configuration settings are not stored in the routing table, but rather in the router’s configuration file.
Question 47:
Which of the following protocols uses a distance-vector algorithm for determining the best path to a destination network?
A OSPF
B EIGRP
C RIP
D IS-IS
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Routing Information Protocol (RIP) is a distance-vector routing protocol. In a distance-vector protocol, routers periodically share their entire routing table with neighboring routers, allowing them to learn about the network topology. The key metric used in RIP is the hop count, which is the number of routers a packet must traverse to reach its destination. Each hop increases the hop count by one, and the route with the fewest hops is considered the best.
While RIP is simple to configure and suitable for small networks, it has limitations that make it less effective for larger, more complex networks. Specifically, RIP has a maximum hop count of 15, meaning that any destination that requires more than 15 hops is considered unreachable. This limits RIP’s scalability.
RIP is often compared with other routing protocols such as OSPF and EIGRP. OSPF, for example, is a link-state protocol that uses a completely different approach to determine the best path. OSPF routers exchange information about the state of their links (i.e., the condition of their interfaces) to create a complete map of the network topology, which is then used to compute the shortest path using the Dijkstra algorithm. Similarly, EIGRP is a hybrid protocol, combining features of both distance-vector and link-state protocols.
Because of RIP’s reliance on hop count and its limitations, it is not the preferred routing protocol for large or dynamic networks. However, it is still widely used in smaller networks or where simplicity is valued over scalability.
Question 48:
Which of the following devices operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model and is used to segment collision domains?
A Router
B Switch
C Hub
D Bridge
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
A switch operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model, also known as the Data Link layer, and is used to segment collision domains. Collision domains refer to parts of the network where data packets can collide if multiple devices transmit data simultaneously on the same medium. A collision occurs when two devices send data at the same time, causing the data to interfere with each other and resulting in a loss of information.
In a traditional hub-based network, all devices connected to the hub belong to the same collision domain. This means that if one device transmits, all other devices must wait, leading to network congestion and inefficiency. However, a switch operates differently. A switch forwards data frames to specific devices based on their MAC addresses, ensuring that only the intended recipient device receives the frame. As a result, each port on a switch creates a separate collision domain, reducing the chances of collisions.
This segmentation of collision domains helps improve network performance by allowing multiple devices to communicate simultaneously without interfering with each other. Switches have largely replaced hubs in modern networks due to their higher efficiency and ability to manage traffic more intelligently.
While switches work at Layer 2, routers operate at Layer 3 (Network layer) and are responsible for forwarding packets between different networks, not within the same network. A hub is a simple Layer 1 (Physical layer) device that broadcasts data to all connected devices, creating a single collision domain. Bridges also operate at Layer 2 and can segment collision domains, but switches offer more advanced capabilities and are typically preferred.
Question 49:
What is the default administrative distance of an OSPF route?
A 110
B 90
C 120
D 100
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
The administrative distance (AD) is a value used by routers to determine the trustworthiness of a routing protocol. When multiple routing protocols provide information about the same destination, the router uses the administrative distance to decide which routing protocol’s information to trust. The route with the lowest AD is preferred.
In the case of OSPF (Open Shortest Path First), the default administrative distance is 110. This means that, in the absence of other factors, OSPF routes will have an AD of 110, which places them lower in priority than routes learned through EIGRP (AD 90) but higher than those learned through RIP (AD 120).
Each routing protocol has its own default administrative distance, and this helps ensure that more reliable routing protocols are preferred over less reliable ones. OSPF’s AD of 110 strikes a balance between efficiency and reliability, making it a commonly used protocol in both small and large networks.
It is important to understand that administrative distance is not related to the metric used by a protocol (e.g., hop count in RIP, or cost in OSPF). Instead, it is a measure of the protocol’s trustworthiness and priority when the router must choose between competing routes.
In summary, the default administrative distance of an OSPF route is 110, and it is an important factor in determining which routes are preferred when multiple routing protocols are in use.
Question 50:
What is the function of NAT (Network Address Translation)?
A It converts a private IP address into a public IP address
B It assigns IP addresses to devices on a local network
C It manages routing between different subnets
D It encrypts data for secure communication
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Network Address Translation (NAT) is a technique used to map private IP addresses to a public IP address (and vice versa). NAT is commonly used when multiple devices in a private network need to access the internet but do not have their own unique public IP addresses. Instead of assigning a unique public IP address to each device, NAT allows all devices to share a single public IP address.
When a device in a private network sends a packet to an external network, such as the internet, the NAT device (usually a router or firewall) modifies the packet’s source IP address, replacing the private IP address with the public IP address assigned to the NAT device. It also keeps track of this translation in a table, so that when a response comes back, the NAT device can direct it to the correct internal device.
There are several types of NAT:
- Static NAT maps a specific private IP address to a specific public IP address.
- Dynamic NAT allows a private IP address to be mapped to any available public IP address from a pool.
- Port Address Translation (PAT), also called NAT overload, allows multiple private IP addresses to share a single public IP address by using different port numbers for each session.
NAT helps conserve public IP addresses, which are a limited resource, by allowing many internal devices to share a single public IP address. It also adds a layer of security by masking the internal IP addresses of devices, making it more difficult for external sources to directly access those devices.
In conclusion, NAT is a vital technology for enabling devices in a private network to communicate with external networks, especially the internet, while conserving public IP addresses and enhancing security.
Question 51:
Which type of IP address is used by a device to communicate with all other devices on a local network segment?
A Unicast
B Multicast
C Broadcast
D Anycast
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The correct answer is broadcast. A broadcast IP address is used by a device to communicate with all other devices on the same local network segment. When a device sends a broadcast message, it is addressed to all devices within its local network, and every device on that network segment will receive and process the message.
In IPv4, the broadcast address for a network is typically the highest address in that network’s range. For example, in a network with the IP address range of 192.168.1.0/24, the broadcast address would be 192.168.1.255. This means that any device on the 192.168.1.0/24 network that sends a message to 192.168.1.255 will have that message delivered to all other devices on the network segment.
Broadcast communication is useful in situations where a device needs to send a message to all devices on the same network, such as for ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) requests or when a device is trying to locate a DHCP server. However, broadcast traffic can lead to network congestion, especially on larger networks, which is why it is typically restricted to local network segments.
Unicast is the opposite of broadcast. A unicast address is used when a device wants to send a message to a single specific device. It’s a one-to-one communication method. Multicast is used to send a message to a group of devices that are part of a specific multicast group, rather than to all devices on a network. Anycast is a routing method used in IPv6, where a message is sent to the nearest device in a group of devices that share the same address.
In summary, broadcast addresses are used for one-to-all communication within a local network segment, enabling all devices in the segment to receive the same message.
Question 52:
Which of the following is true about IPv6 addressing?
A IPv6 addresses are 32 bits long
B IPv6 addresses are written in decimal notation
C IPv6 addresses use colons to separate each group of hexadecimal digits
D IPv6 addresses are backward-compatible with IPv4 addresses
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The correct answer is C. IPv6 addresses are written in hexadecimal notation and use colons to separate each group of hexadecimal digits. An IPv6 address is 128 bits long and is typically represented as eight groups of four hexadecimal digits, each group separated by a colon. An example of an IPv6 address is: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334.
Each group of four hexadecimal digits represents 16 bits, and the entire address consists of 128 bits. IPv6 was introduced to overcome the limitations of IPv4, which uses 32-bit addresses and has a limited address space. With IPv6, the address space is vastly expanded, allowing for a virtually unlimited number of unique IP addresses.
IPv6 addresses can also include a shorthand notation to simplify their representation. Leading zeros in each group can be omitted, and consecutive groups of zeros can be replaced with a double colon. For example, the address 2001:0db8:0000:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334 can be shortened to 2001:db8::8a2e:370:7334.
IPv6 addresses are not written in decimal notation, and they are 128 bits long, not 32 bits like IPv4 addresses. IPv6 and IPv4 are separate protocols, and IPv6 is not backward-compatible with IPv4. While there are mechanisms for IPv6 and IPv4 to coexist in a network, such as tunneling and dual-stack configurations, they are not directly compatible.
In summary, IPv6 addresses are 128 bits long, written in hexadecimal, and use colons to separate groups of digits. This addressing format helps accommodate the growing need for IP addresses.
Question 53:
What is the function of DHCP in a network?
A To assign IP addresses to devices dynamically
B To configure routing between different subnets
C To provide access control to network resources
D To encrypt data for secure communication
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
The correct answer is A. DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is responsible for assigning IP addresses to devices dynamically. When a device, such as a computer or a smartphone, joins a network, it needs to be assigned an IP address so it can communicate with other devices on the network or access the internet. DHCP automates this process, removing the need for manual configuration of IP addresses on each device.
The DHCP server assigns an IP address to a device from a predefined pool of addresses. When the device connects to the network, it sends a DHCP DISCOVER message. The DHCP server responds with an OFFER message that includes an available IP address, subnet mask, and other configuration information such as the default gateway and DNS servers. The device then sends a REQUEST message to the server to confirm the assigned IP address, and the server sends an ACKNOWLEDGEMENT message, completing the process.
In addition to IP addresses, DHCP can also provide other configuration information, such as DNS servers, which help devices resolve domain names to IP addresses. DHCP is commonly used in both small and large networks, making it much easier to manage IP address assignments.
In summary, DHCP simplifies network administration by dynamically assigning IP addresses to devices, ensuring that each device can communicate properly on the network.
Question 54:
What does a subnet mask do in an IP network?
A It defines the range of valid IP addresses within a network
B It encrypts network traffic for security purposes
C It specifies the default gateway for routing
D It controls access to the network based on IP address
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
The correct answer is A. A subnet mask is used to define the range of valid IP addresses within a network. It is a 32-bit number that works alongside an IP address to divide a network into smaller sub-networks, or subnets. The subnet mask is applied to an IP address to determine which part of the address refers to the network and which part refers to the host.
For example, if an IP address is 192.168.1.10 and the subnet mask is 255.255.255.0, the first three octets (192.168.1) represent the network portion, while the last octet (.10) represents the host portion. This allows for 256 possible IP addresses (0-255) in the network, but only 254 can be assigned to hosts (since 0 is reserved for the network address and 255 for the broadcast address).
Subnetting is useful for improving network performance, security, and organization by segmenting large networks into smaller, more manageable subnets. The subnet mask tells devices how to differentiate between the network address and the host address.
In summary, the subnet mask is essential for defining the range of IP addresses within a network and determining which portion of an IP address identifies the network and which part identifies the host.
Question 55:
Which of the following is the primary function of a firewall in a network?
A To assign IP addresses to devices dynamically
B To block or allow traffic based on security policies
C To create subnets for a network
D To provide wireless network connectivity
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The correct answer is B. A firewall is a security device or software that is designed to block or allow traffic between different networks based on a set of predefined security policies. Firewalls act as barriers between trusted internal networks and untrusted external networks (such as the internet), preventing unauthorized access and protecting against potential security threats.
Firewalls can operate at different layers of the OSI model, from the network layer to the application layer, and they filter traffic based on several criteria, such as IP addresses, ports, protocols, and the content of the traffic itself.
There are two main types of firewalls:
- Packet-filtering firewalls examine individual packets of data and allow or block them based on predefined rules (such as source and destination IP addresses or port numbers).
- Stateful firewalls track the state of network connections (e.g., TCP streams) and use this context to make more informed decisions about whether to allow or block traffic.
- Next-generation firewalls (NGFW) provide more advanced features, such as deep packet inspection, intrusion prevention, and application-level filtering.
While firewalls are effective at controlling network traffic and preventing unauthorized access, they are not used for dynamic IP address assignment (which is the job of DHCP) or subnetting (which is done with subnet masks). Additionally, firewalls do not provide wireless network connectivity, which is typically handled by access points.
In summary, the primary function of a firewall is to filter network traffic and enforce security policies to protect the network from unauthorized access and threats.
Question 56:
What is the purpose of NAT (Network Address Translation) in networking?
A To allow multiple devices to share a single public IP address
B To assign private IP addresses to devices on a local network
C To enable secure communication between devices on different networks
D To ensure that devices on a network can communicate with each other locally
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
The correct answer is A. NAT (Network Address Translation) is a technique used in networking to allow multiple devices on a local network to share a single public IP address when accessing resources on the internet. This is commonly used in private networks where there are more devices than available public IP addresses. Instead of assigning a unique public IP address to each device, NAT allows internal devices to use private IP addresses (such as those in the 192.168.x.x range) while still enabling them to communicate with external servers and websites using a single public-facing IP address.
NAT operates by modifying the source address of outgoing packets from private IP addresses to the public IP address of the router or gateway device. When the response returns to the public IP address, NAT translates the address back to the appropriate private IP address of the requesting device. This process helps conserve IP addresses, particularly in IPv4, where there is a limited supply of public IPs.
NAT does not directly affect the local communication between devices within the same network. Devices in a local network can still communicate with each other without needing NAT. The main benefit of NAT is in allowing multiple devices on a private network to access the internet using a single public IP address.
- B: Assigning private IP addresses is a general network setup process, but NAT’s role is in enabling multiple devices to use one public IP address, not in assigning private addresses.
- C: While NAT can be part of the security setup, it is not primarily used for secure communication between networks. Other protocols like IPsec or SSL/TLS are used for encryption and secure communication.
- D: Devices on a network can communicate locally without the use of NAT. NAT’s purpose is specifically for communication between private networks and the public internet.
In summary, NAT is used to conserve public IP addresses by allowing multiple devices within a local network to share a single public IP address for internet access.
Question 57:
Which protocol is responsible for determining the MAC address of a device on a network?
A DNS
B ARP
C ICMP
D DHCP
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The correct answer is B. ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) is responsible for determining the MAC (Media Access Control) address of a device on a network. When a device wants to communicate with another device on the same local network and only knows the IP address of the destination, it uses ARP to find the corresponding MAC address. The device sends an ARP request to the network, asking “Who has IP address X.X.X.X?” The device with that IP address responds with its MAC address, allowing the sender to build a data link layer frame to properly address the destination device.
ARP operates at the Data Link Layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model. It is used for local network communication, where devices need to translate between logical addresses (IP addresses) and physical addresses (MAC addresses). This process is crucial for Ethernet-based networks, as the MAC address is required to direct frames to the correct device on the physical network.
- A: DNS (Domain Name System) is used to resolve domain names into IP addresses, not MAC addresses.
- C: ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) is used for error reporting and diagnostics, such as with ping commands. It does not resolve MAC addresses.
- D: DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is responsible for assigning IP addresses to devices on a network, not for resolving MAC addresses.
In summary, ARP is the protocol responsible for mapping IP addresses to MAC addresses on a local network.
Question 58:
What is the maximum length of a segment in the TCP protocol?
A 65,535 bytes
B 1,024 bytes
C 512 bytes
D 4,294,967,295 bytes
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
The correct answer is A. In the TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), the maximum segment size (MSS) is determined by the maximum length of the TCP packet, which is 65,535 bytes. This value comes from the fact that the size of a TCP packet is specified by a 16-bit field in the TCP header. Since 16 bits can represent a maximum value of 65,535, this is the largest size a TCP segment can theoretically have, excluding the IP header and other overhead.
The TCP protocol breaks data into smaller segments that are transmitted across the network. Each segment contains a header and a data section. The TCP header includes important control information such as the source and destination port numbers, sequence numbers, and flags for controlling the session. The rest of the space in the segment is used for the actual application data.
It’s important to note that in practice, the maximum segment size may be smaller due to factors such as MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) limits on the network, path MTU discovery, and MSS clamping, which adjusts the MSS to fit the available network path.
- B: 1,024 bytes is far smaller than the maximum segment size in TCP.
- C: 512 bytes is not the maximum size for a TCP segment.
- D: 4,294,967,295 bytes is far larger than the maximum size for a TCP segment and exceeds the limits of a 16-bit field.
In summary, the maximum segment size in TCP is 65,535 bytes, although practical limitations such as the MTU on the network can affect this size.
Question 59:
Which of the following layers of the OSI model is responsible for routing data across multiple networks?
A Physical
B Data Link
C Network
D Transport
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The correct answer is C. The Network layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model is responsible for routing data across multiple networks. This layer determines the path that data packets take from the source to the destination across different networks, using logical addressing (IP addresses). Routers operate at this layer to forward data between networks and subnets.
The Network layer handles packet forwarding, routing, and addressing. When data needs to be sent from one network to another, routers use routing protocols such as OSPF, BGP, or RIP to determine the best path for the data to take. This layer also includes functions for addressing, such as the use of IP addresses to identify devices on different networks.
- A: The Physical layer (Layer 1) deals with the transmission of raw bits over a physical medium, not routing.
- B: The Data Link layer (Layer 2) is responsible for node-to-node communication on the same network and does not handle routing across different networks.
- D: The Transport layer (Layer 4) is responsible for ensuring reliable data transfer and managing end-to-end communication, but it does not perform routing.
In summary, the Network layer is responsible for routing data between different networks using IP addresses and routing protocols.
Question 60:
Which of the following devices is used to segment a network into smaller collision domains?
A Hub
B Switch
C Router
D Bridge
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The correct answer is B. A switch is used to segment a network into smaller collision domains. A collision domain is an area of a network where data packets can collide with each other if multiple devices transmit simultaneously. In a traditional hub-based network, all devices share the same collision domain, which can lead to network inefficiencies and packet collisions.
A switch operates at the Data Link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model and intelligently forwards data to specific devices based on their MAC addresses. Unlike a hub, which broadcasts data to all devices, a switch creates separate collision domains for each connected device. This minimizes the chance of collisions and increases network efficiency by allowing simultaneous communication between multiple devices.
- A: A hub broadcasts data to all connected devices, creating a single collision domain for all devices, which can lead to collisions and network congestion.
- C: A router operates at the Network layer (Layer 3) and is used to route traffic between different networks, but it does not create collision domains within a single network.
- D: A bridge operates similarly to a switch in that it can segment a network into smaller collision domains, but switches are typically more advanced and efficient for this purpose.
In summary, a switch is used to segment a network into smaller collision domains, improving network efficiency and reducing the likelihood of packet collisions.