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CompTIA A+ - Networking and Connectivity

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Question 1

?? Multiple Choice (Hard)

A user receives an IP address of 169.254.100.5. What does this indicate, and how do you fix it?

Answer choices

  • A. The user has a static IP configured correctly

  • B. DHCP is not working — check DHCP server, cable connection, and DHCP service; try ipconfig /renew (Correct)

  • C. The user is on a guest VLAN

  • D. The IP address is from a VPN tunnel

Explanation

169.254.x.x is the APIPA range — a Windows fallback when no DHCP server responds. Troubleshooting steps: 1) Check physical cable/Wi-Fi connection; 2) ipconfig /release, ipconfig /renew; 3) Verify DHCP server is running; 4) Check scope has available addresses; 5) Check DHCP helper address if on different VLAN; 6) Verify firewall isn't blocking UDP 67/68.

Question 2

?? Fill in the Blank (Hard)

The DNS record type [[blank1]] maps a domain name to an IPv4 address, while [[blank2]] maps a domain name to an IPv6 address.

Explanation

DNS record types: A (IPv4 address), AAAA (IPv6 address), CNAME (alias to another name), MX (mail exchange server), TXT (text data — SPF, DKIM, domain verification), NS (name server), PTR (reverse DNS — IP to name), SOA (Start of Authority). Mail servers use MX records.

Question 3

?? True/False (Easy)

A MAC address is a physical address permanently assigned to a network interface card (NIC).

Answer choices

  • A. True (Correct)

  • B. False

Explanation

MAC (Media Access Control) addresses are 48-bit hardware addresses (e.g., 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E) assigned by the NIC manufacturer. The first 24 bits (OUI — Organizationally Unique Identifier) identify the manufacturer. MAC addresses operate at Layer 2 (Data Link) of the OSI model. They can be spoofed in software despite being "physical."

Question 4

?? Fill in the Blank (Hard)

A [[blank1]] is a type of wireless network that uses multiple access points to provide seamless coverage over a large area, automatically handing off clients as they move between APs.

Explanation

An ESS (Extended Service Set) uses multiple APs with the same SSID, allowing clients to roam seamlessly. Mesh networks add dynamic backhaul between nodes (no controller required). 802.11r enables fast BSS transitions. Enterprise systems (Cisco, Aruba, Meraki) use wireless LAN controllers (WLC) to manage large-scale WLAN deployments.

Question 5

?? Multiple Choice (Medium)

Which TCP/IP layer is responsible for end-to-end communication and reliable data delivery?

Answer choices

  • A. Network Layer (Layer 3)

  • B. Data Link Layer (Layer 2)

  • C. Transport Layer (Layer 4) (Correct)

  • D. Application Layer (Layer 7)

Explanation

The Transport Layer (Layer 4) handles end-to-end communication between processes on different hosts. TCP (connection-oriented): provides reliable, ordered, error-checked delivery with flow control and acknowledgment. UDP (connectionless): best-effort, no guaranteed delivery — faster, used for DNS, streaming, gaming. Ports operate at Layer 4.