CompTIA A+ Essentials Trivia Quiz: Hardware And Software
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This is the toughest practice test ever for CompTIA A+ Essentials. Are you really a computer geek? Do you really possess full-fledged technical knowledge when it comes to Software and Hardware? If yes, then prove yourself by attempting this quiz and assess yourself where you stand. Good luck with the test, most of the questions are harder than you will find in the actual test.
Questions and Answers
1.
What color is associated with a PS/2 keyboard?
A.
Blue
B.
Purple
C.
Green
Correct Answer
B. Purple
Explanation A purple PS/2 is a keyboard, green is for a mouse.
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2.
Which wireless protocol is the slowest?
A.
802.11a
B.
802.11b
C.
802.11g
Correct Answer
B. 802.11b
Explanation 802.11b has a speed of 11Mbs while the others go at 54Mbps
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3.
WQXGA is 2560 x 1600
A.
True
B.
False
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation WQXGA stands for Wide Quad Extended Graphics Array, which is a display resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. Therefore, the statement "WQXGA is 2560 x 1600" is true.
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4.
UXGA is 1920 x 1200
A.
True
B.
False
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation The correct resolution for UXGA is 1600 x 1200, not 1920 x 1200.
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5.
Why don’t computers have a B drive?
A.
Apple has a patent on using B as a drive letter
B.
It cascades with M drive
C.
It’s a security venerability
D.
It’s not necessary to have a B drive
E.
It’s used by the BIOS
Correct Answer
D. It’s not necessary to have a B drive
Explanation In the early DOS days, Drive B was used as was a second floppy drive used to run programs. This died off as hard drives that used the letter C became more common and Microsoft decided that the B drive was not needed.
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6.
How many logical partitions can XP support
A.
2
B.
23
C.
26
D.
50
E.
120
Correct Answer
B. 23
Explanation Letters A – C are reserved leaving 23.
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7.
What type of connector is shown in the image?
A.
RJ-11
B.
RJ-45
Correct Answer
B. RJ-45
Explanation The image shows an RJ-45 connector. RJ-45 connectors are commonly used for Ethernet connections. They have eight pins and are larger in size compared to RJ-11 connectors, which are typically used for telephone connections and have only four pins.
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8.
You are asked to assemble a newly purchased Laser Printer. In the box you find a component that is housed in a thick black bag. What is in it?
A.
Laser
B.
Fuser
C.
Corona Wire
D.
Plutonium
E.
Drum
Correct Answer
E. Drum
Explanation Because of its sensibility to light, a drum is in the bag.
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9.
You are using a 3rd party program on computer you suspect has faulty serial ports. All the ports pass the test except for two which you notice are both labeled external. What’s the most likely reason they failed the test.
A.
The ports are faulty
B.
The ports need loopback connectors
C.
The ports a conflicting with each other
D.
The software is buggy
E.
The ports do not exist
Correct Answer
B. The ports need loopback connectors
Explanation Loopback connectors are needed to test external Serial ports.
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10.
You are using a 3rd party program to test the keyboard. You notice that the pause/break key is not performing properly. What is the first thing you should do?
A.
Perform same test on another machine
B.
Clean the keyboard
C.
Replace the keyboard
D.
Change printer settings
E.
Turn on Num Lock
Correct Answer
A. Perform same test on another machine
Explanation If the same thing happens on another machine then it is not likely to be a problem the clients computer.
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11.
You are upgrading the hard drive for a law firm and they do not want the old one back. What should you do with it?
A.
Format and sell it second hand, take the price of it off the client’s bill.
B.
Format and keep it as a spare hard drive.
C.
Keep it around incase something goes wrong with the new one and you have something to fall back on.
D.
Format then take it out back and introduce it to a hammer
E.
Just throw it away.
Correct Answer
D. Format then take it out back and introduce it to a hammer
Explanation Even after it’s been formatted a hard drive may contain sensitive material so it is best to destroy the it, preferably on a stressful day. Normal clients hard drives can be resused
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12.
What slot would the card in the image go into?
A.
AGP
B.
PCI
C.
PCIe
D.
ISA
E.
IDE connector
Correct Answer
C. PCIe
Explanation The card in the image would go into the PCIe slot. PCIe stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect Express, which is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard. It is commonly used for connecting graphics cards, network cards, and other high-performance devices to a computer motherboard. The other options mentioned, such as AGP, PCI, ISA, and IDE connector, are older or different types of expansion slots that are less commonly used in modern computers.
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13.
How many volts is carried by an orange wire
A.
+3.3
B.
-5
C.
+5
D.
-12
E.
+12
Correct Answer
A. +3.3
Explanation The orange wire carries a voltage of +3.3 volts.
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14.
What is a power surge?
A.
A sudden short rise in voltage
B.
A sudden longer rise in voltage
C.
A sudden drop in voltage
D.
The same thing as a brownout
Correct Answer
B. A sudden longer rise in voltage
Explanation A power surge refers to a sudden longer rise in voltage. This means that there is a sudden increase in the electrical potential between two points in an electrical circuit. Power surges can occur due to various reasons such as lightning strikes, faulty wiring, or switching off high-powered electrical devices. These surges can potentially damage electronic devices and appliances connected to the power supply, which is why surge protectors are commonly used to prevent such damage.
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15.
If I show you a 1284 and 1394 cable, what are you seeing in that order?
A.
A serial and parallel cable
B.
Firewire and Parallel cable
C.
Serial and Firewire cable
D.
Parallel and Firewire cable
E.
Firewire and USB cable
Correct Answer
D. Parallel and Firewire cable
Explanation 1284 is a parallel and 1294 is firewire. This is important to remember as some have said that the essentials exam refer to these by their numbers rather than their names.
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16.
USB 2.0 can reach longer lengths than USB 1.1
A.
True
B.
False
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation They are both have a max length of 5m. USB 1.0 has a max of 2m.
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17.
You are testing a new laser printer and you notice that that there is a lot of loose powder on page. What is happening?
A.
You are using paper that isn’t marked as Laser Printer Certified
B.
This is normal as it usually takes a few test prints to get rid of the “dumb” powder.
C.
The fuser is malfunctioning
D.
You have to print to test page to calibrate the machine before printing anything else
E.
There is a bad Print Corona
Correct Answer
C. The fuser is malfunctioning
Explanation The correct answer is that the fuser is malfunctioning. The fuser is responsible for melting the toner powder onto the paper, and if it is not functioning properly, the toner powder will not adhere correctly and will appear as loose powder on the page.
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18.
You are putting together a computer and you accidentally put the keyboard and mouse in the wrong PS/2 ports, what will happen?
A.
Nothing, they are both using PS/2 ports and the computer will detect the difference
B.
The keyboard and mouse won’t work
C.
The mouse won’t work but the keyboard will
D.
The keyboard will work but the mouse wont
E.
Both devices will work but they may cause problems
Correct Answer
B. The keyboard and mouse won’t work
Explanation If the keyboard and mouse are accidentally plugged into the wrong PS/2 ports, they won't work. This is because each PS/2 port is designed for a specific device, with the purple port typically being for the keyboard and the green port for the mouse. Plugging them into the wrong ports will prevent the computer from detecting and recognizing the devices, resulting in their failure to work.
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19.
Which of the following is not a DVD spec?
A.
DVD-5
B.
DVD-9
C.
DVD-10
D.
DVD-11
E.
DVD-18
Correct Answer
D. DVD-11
Explanation These DVD numbers are correct but are unlikely to to appear in the exam.
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20.
Which cord has a longest length?
A.
Serial Connector
B.
1284
C.
USB 2
D.
1394.a
E.
1394.b
Correct Answer
E. 1394.b
Explanation Serial is 50 feet, USB 2 is up to 5m, 1284 is up to 10m, 1394.a is up to 4.5m 1394.b is up to 100m
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21.
Which is the correct order for Comptias troubleshooting strategy?
A.
Establish the symptoms, Establish what changed, Identify Infected Area, Select most probable cause, implement solution, test result, recognize potential effects, document solution
B.
Establish the symptoms, Establish what changed, Identify Infected Area, test result, Select most probable cause, implement solution, recognize potential effects, document solution
C.
Establish the symptoms, Identify Infected Area, Establish what changed, Select most probable cause, document solution, implement solution, test result, recognize potential effects
D.
Establish the symptoms, Identify Infected Area, Establish what changed, Select most probable cause, document solution, implement solution, test result, recognize potential effects
E.
Establish the symptoms, Identify Infected Area, Establish what changed, recognize potential effects, Select most probable cause, implement solution, test result, document solution
Correct Answer
A. Establish the symptoms, Establish what changed, Identify Infected Area, Select most probable cause, implement solution, test result, recognize potential effects, document solution
Explanation The correct order for CompTIA's troubleshooting strategy is to first establish the symptoms, then establish what changed, identify the infected area, select the most probable cause, implement a solution, test the result, recognize potential effects, and finally document the solution. This order allows for a systematic approach to troubleshooting, starting with understanding the problem and gathering information, then narrowing down the possible causes and implementing a solution, and finally documenting the process for future reference.
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22.
Which of the following is a widescreen resolution?
A.
2048 x 1536
B.
1680 x 1050
C.
1400 x 1050
D.
1280 x 1024
E.
1024 x 768
Correct Answer
B. 1680 x 1050
Explanation 1024 x 768 = XGA, 1280 x 1024 = SXGA, 1400 x 1050 = SXGA+, 1680 x 1250 = WSXGA+, 2048 x 1556 = QXGA
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23.
RAID 10 is the combining of RAID 1 and RAID 0
A.
True
B.
False
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation RAID 10 is a combination of RAID 1 and RAID 0. RAID 1 involves mirroring, where data is duplicated across multiple drives for redundancy, while RAID 0 involves striping, where data is split across multiple drives for improved performance. RAID 10 combines these two techniques by mirroring the striped data. This provides both redundancy and improved performance, making it an ideal choice for applications that require high levels of data protection and speed. Therefore, the statement that RAID 10 is the combining of RAID 1 and RAID 0 is true.
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24.
When using compressed air to clean the motherboard, what part should you be cautious around? (choose two)
A.
CPU
B.
RAM
C.
Hard Drive
D.
PSU
E.
CD/DVD Drive
Correct Answer(s)
A. CPU D. PSU
Explanation The CPU can gather quite a lot of dust, especially on the heat sink which if difficult to clean as using to high pressure can damage the fan. The PSU fan can also be damaged with high pressure.
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25.
The only difference between RAID 3 and 4 is the level it stripes data across the drives
A.
True
B.
False
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation RAID 3 stripes at a byte level and RAID 4 at a block.
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26.
What could happen if you don’t screw a card onto the case after attaching it to the motherboard?
A.
Nothing, as long it’s inserted properly, the card will be fine
B.
The card won’t work as it’s not grounded
C.
The card could come loose
D.
More dust could get into the case
E.
The card could cause an ESD
Correct Answer
C. The card could come loose
Explanation Had a computer come through today with boot problems. During the first boot windows wouldn’t load and the second boot it wouldn’t even go through POST. Turns out the network card hadn’t been screwed to the case and the card had come loose.
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27.
What is a Gateway used for? (Choose 2)
A.
Connecting a network to the internet
B.
Connecting two networks together
C.
Bouncing a weak signal along a network
D.
Getting the data from one computer to another
E.
Connecting a server to a network
Correct Answer(s)
A. Connecting a network to the internet B. Connecting two networks together
Explanation A gateway is used to connect a network to the internet by providing a connection between the local network and the external internet. It acts as an interface between the two networks, allowing the devices within the local network to access and communicate with resources on the internet. Additionally, a gateway can also be used to connect two separate networks together, enabling devices from both networks to communicate with each other and share resources.
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28.
8x AGP is faster than 1x PCIe
A.
True
B.
False
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation The statement is true because 8x AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) has a higher data transfer rate compared to 1x PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express). AGP was a standard for connecting graphics cards to the motherboard, and 8x AGP had a maximum bandwidth of 2.1 GB/s. On the other hand, PCIe is a newer and faster standard, but 1x PCIe only has a maximum bandwidth of 0.25 GB/s. Therefore, 8x AGP is faster than 1x PCIe.
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29.
Which Layer of the OSI Model is the MAC address on?
A.
Physical
B.
Data link
C.
Network
D.
Transport
E.
Session
Correct Answer
B. Data link
Explanation The MAC address is found on the Data link layer of the OSI model. This layer is responsible for the reliable transmission of data between two devices on the same network. The MAC address is a unique identifier assigned to each network interface card (NIC) and is used to identify devices within a local area network (LAN).
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30.
I have a network where all computers are connected through a single coaxial cable. What type of network is this?
A.
Ring
B.
Star
C.
Bus
D.
Mesh
E.
Wireless
Correct Answer
C. Bus
Explanation This type of question is very likely to appear on the essentials test, be sure to know what the topologies look like visually.
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31.
Which of the following shows the max speed of AGP 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x?
A.
8MBps, 16MBps, 32MBps, 64MBps
B.
100MBps, 200MBps, 400MBps, 800MBps
C.
32MBps, 64MBps, 128MBps, 256MBps
D.
266MBps, 533MBps, 1066MBps, 2133MBps
E.
500MBps, 1000MBps, 2000MBps, 4000MBps
Correct Answer
D. 266MBps, 533MBps, 1066MBps, 2133MBps
Explanation AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) is a type of interface used for connecting graphics cards to the motherboard of a computer. The speed of AGP is measured in megabytes per second (MBps). The correct answer shows the maximum speeds for AGP 1x, 2x, 4x, and 8x. The speeds are 266MBps, 533MBps, 1066MBps, and 2133MBps respectively. As the AGP version increases, the speed also increases, allowing for faster data transfer between the graphics card and the computer system.
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32.
What OSI layer is Telnet and FTP on?
A.
Application
B.
Presentation
C.
Session
D.
Transport
E.
Network
Correct Answer
A. Application
Explanation Telnet and FTP are both application layer protocols in the OSI model. The application layer is responsible for providing services directly to the end user, such as file transfer, remote login, and email. Telnet is a protocol that allows remote login to a computer, while FTP is a protocol used for file transfer between computers. Both of these protocols operate at the highest layer of the OSI model, which is the application layer.
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33.
Which Layer of the OSI is IP on?
A.
Physical
B.
Data link
C.
Network
D.
Transport
E.
Session
Correct Answer
C. Network
Explanation IP (Internet Protocol) is on the Network layer of the OSI model. The Network layer is responsible for routing and forwarding data packets between different networks. IP provides the addressing and routing functions necessary for data to be sent from one network to another. It determines the best path for data transmission, handles packet fragmentation and reassembly, and ensures reliable delivery of data across the network. Therefore, IP is placed on the Network layer of the OSI model.
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34.
I have a network where all computers in the network are connected in a closed loop. What type of network is this?
A.
Ring
B.
Star
C.
Bus
D.
Mesh
E.
Wireless
Correct Answer
A. Ring
Explanation This network is a ring network because all computers in the network are connected in a closed loop. In a ring network, each computer is connected to exactly two other computers, forming a circular pathway for data to travel. This type of network is commonly used in situations where data needs to be transmitted in a specific order or where redundancy is important.
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35.
I have a network where each computer is connected to a central device. What type of network is this?
A.
Ring
B.
Star
C.
Bus
D.
Mesh
E.
Wireless
Correct Answer
B. Star
Explanation This network is a star network because each computer is connected to a central device, similar to how the points of a star radiate out from a central point. In a star network, all communication between computers goes through the central device, which helps to manage and control the flow of data. This type of network is commonly used in homes and small businesses, as it allows for easy management and troubleshooting.
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36.
Windows XP Service Pack 2 requires 1.8Gb of hard drive space
A.
True
B.
False
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation Windows XP Service Pack 2 requires 1.8GB of hard drive space because service packs are updates and enhancements to the operating system. These updates often include new features, bug fixes, and security improvements. To install these updates, sufficient space is required on the hard drive to accommodate the new files and changes being made to the system. In the case of Windows XP Service Pack 2, it specifically requires 1.8GB of hard drive space to ensure a successful installation and operation of the service pack.
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37.
I have a network where each computer is connected to each other. What type of network is this?
A.
Ring
B.
Star
C.
Bus
D.
Mesh
E.
Wireless
Correct Answer
D. Mesh
Explanation This network is a mesh network because each computer is connected to every other computer in the network. In a mesh network, there are multiple paths for data to travel, allowing for redundancy and increased reliability.
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38.
The internet is a WAN
A.
True
B.
False
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation The internet is a WAN (Wide Area Network) because it connects multiple networks across a wide geographical area. It allows users to access information and communicate with others globally. A WAN typically uses various communication technologies, such as telephone lines, fiber optics, or satellite connections, to transmit data over long distances. The internet, being a global network of interconnected networks, fits the definition of a WAN.
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39.
You are looking at the speed of an 8x PCIe card which states the speed as 2000mbs (4000mbs) What does the bracketed number show?
A.
The speed the card can be over clocked to
B.
The combined bandwidth in both directions
C.
The speed it can reach on an a PCIe 2.0 motherboard
D.
The speed it can reach if combined with a quad core processor
E.
The speed it can reach if put in a 16x slot
Correct Answer
B. The combined bandwidth in both directions
Explanation PCI Express is a serial based technology so data can be sent over the bus in two directions at once unlike normal PCI which is parallel.
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40.
Which of the following represents the max speed for PCIe 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 16x, 32x?
Correct Answer
A. 500MBps, 1000MBps, 2000MBps, 4000MBps, 8000MBps, 16000MBps
Explanation The correct answer is 500MBps, 1000MBps, 2000MBps, 4000MBps, 8000MBps, 16000MBps. This is because PCIe 1x has a maximum speed of 500MBps, PCIe 2x has a maximum speed of 1000MBps, PCIe 4x has a maximum speed of 2000MBps, PCIe 8x has a maximum speed of 4000MBps, PCIe 16x has a maximum speed of 8000MBps, and PCIe 32x has a maximum speed of 16000MBps.
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41.
What layer of OSI is TCP on?
A.
Application
B.
Presentation
C.
Session
D.
Transport
E.
Network
Correct Answer
D. Transport
Explanation TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is a transport layer protocol in the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model. The transport layer is responsible for the reliable delivery of data between two hosts on a network. TCP provides reliable, connection-oriented communication by establishing a connection, segmenting data into packets, ensuring their delivery, and managing flow control. Therefore, TCP operates on the transport layer of the OSI model.
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42.
What type of RAM is this?
A.
SIMM
B.
DDR
C.
SDRAM
D.
SODIMM
E.
RDRAM
Correct Answer
C. SDRAM
Explanation The essentials exam may ask you to identify RAM and these can be difficult because RAM looks alike. SD-RAM is can be identified because it has 2 notches along the pins. DDR and SIMM have 1 notch but SIMM has far fewer pins then DDR. SIMM is considered legacy its unlikely is will appear in the exam. RDRAM usually has a metal cover that makes them easily identifiable and SODIMMS only have 4 black rectangles that make them stand out. It is highly unlikely you’ll be asked to identify between DDR and DDR2 but DDR2 has small black squares instead of long rectangles but this depends on the manufacturer. The notch of DDR 2 is also different
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43.
How fast is 802.11b?
A.
2Mbs
B.
11Mbs
C.
14Mbs
D.
24Mbs
E.
54Mbs
Correct Answer
B. 11Mbs
Explanation The correct answer is 11Mbs because 802.11b is a wireless networking standard that operates at a maximum data rate of 11 megabits per second (Mbs). This standard was one of the earliest versions of Wi-Fi and while it offered slower speeds compared to later standards, it was still capable of providing sufficient connectivity for basic internet browsing and email usage.
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44.
What slot would this card go into?
A.
AGP
B.
PCI
C.
PCIe
D.
ISA
E.
IDE Connecter
Correct Answer
A. AGP
Explanation This card would go into the AGP slot. AGP stands for Accelerated Graphics Port, which is a high-speed point-to-point channel for attaching a graphics card to a computer's motherboard. AGP slots were commonly used in older computers for graphics cards before being replaced by PCIe slots.
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45.
What OSI Layer does DNS fit into?
A.
Layer 7
B.
Layer 6
C.
Layer 5
D.
Layer 4
E.
Layer 3
Correct Answer
A. Layer 7
Explanation DNS (Domain Name System) is a protocol that translates domain names into IP addresses, allowing users to access websites using human-readable names. Layer 7 of the OSI model is the application layer, which deals with the interaction between the network and the software applications running on it. DNS operates at this layer as it provides services to applications by resolving domain names to IP addresses. Therefore, DNS fits into Layer 7 of the OSI model.
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46.
What Layer of the OSI model does Ethernet sit?
A.
Layer 1
B.
Layer 2
C.
Layer 3
D.
Layer 4
E.
Layer 5
Correct Answer
B. Layer 2
Explanation Ethernet sits at Layer 2 of the OSI model. This layer is known as the Data Link Layer and is responsible for the reliable transfer of data between adjacent network nodes. Ethernet is a widely used technology for local area networks (LANs) and provides the means for devices to communicate with each other over a physical network. It handles tasks such as framing, addressing, and error detection, making it an essential component of network communication at the data link layer.
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47.
Which of the following is found on Layer 7 of the OSI model?
A.
DHCP
B.
FTP
C.
HTTP
D.
SMTP
E.
All of the above
Correct Answer
E. All of the above
Explanation Layer 7 of the OSI model is the application layer, which is responsible for providing network services to user applications. DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is a network protocol used for automatically assigning IP addresses to devices on a network. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a standard network protocol used for transferring files between a client and a server. HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is the protocol used for transmitting web pages over the internet. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is a protocol for sending email messages. Therefore, all of the options mentioned (DHCP, FTP, HTTP, and SMTP) are found on Layer 7 of the OSI model.
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48.
Which of the following is a type of SCSI bus signaling? Choose 3
A.
SE
B.
PVD
C.
QVD
D.
HVD
E.
LVD
Correct Answer(s)
A. SE D. HVD E. LVD
Explanation Single Ended, High-Voltage Differential and Low-voltage differential are the types of SCSI bus signaling.
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49.
What is this a picture of?
A.
SCSI Port
B.
SCSI connector
C.
SCSI Terminator
D.
Loopback Device
E.
SCSI Host Adapter
Correct Answer
C. SCSI Terminator
Explanation A SCSI terminator is a device used in a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) system to prevent signal reflection at the end of the SCSI bus. It ensures that the electrical signals are properly terminated, preventing data errors and signal degradation. The picture is likely showing a SCSI terminator, which is a small connector or device that is attached to the end of the SCSI bus to terminate the electrical signals.
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50.
You have a SCSI connection you want to terminate that is 2 feet away, that type of termination would you use?
A.
Passive
B.
Active
C.
Matrix
D.
Solid
E.
101
Correct Answer
A. Passive
Explanation Passive termination would be the appropriate type of termination to use for a SCSI connection that is 2 feet away. Passive termination does not require any external power source and is typically used for shorter cable lengths. It provides the necessary impedance to prevent signal reflections and ensure proper communication between devices.
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