Chapter 18 - Software and Hardware Tools

Question 1

Which is a tool in the network scanner category? (Choose all that apply.)

A. Packet sniffers

B. IDS/IPS software

C. Port scanners

D. None of the above

Answer 1

1. A, B, C. Yep, all of the above. The CompTIA Network+ objectives cover all three in regard to tools used to analyze today’s networks.

Question 2

What is the purpose of packet sniffers?

A. Discarding frames

B. Sending transmissions from one port to another port

C. Looking inside every packet on a network segment

D. Stopping malicious behavior on the network

Answer 2

2. C. The basic purpose of packet sniffers or network analyzers is to collect and analyze each individual packet that is captured on a specific network segment to determine whether problems are happening. You can also use them to see if there is too much traffic on a segment.

Question 3

You need to trace cables in multiple-pair wiring. What tool will you use?

A. Toner probe

B. IDS

C. Cable tester

D. Butt set

Answer 3

3. A. A toner probe sends a signal down a pair of wires so that the wires can be traced. Typically, a butt set is used to find this signal, but toner probe is the best answer to this question.

Question 4

What tool would you use to both find a break in a fiber-optic connection and test the fiber connectivity on the network?

A. Multimeter

B. OTDR

C. Butt set

D. Toner probe

Answer 4

4. B. An optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) is an optoelectronic instrument used to give you the skinny on optical fibers. It works by putting out a series of optical pulses into the specific fiber you want to test and can tell you if a break in the fiber has occurred and where.

Question 5

You need to create a cable that will connect your host to a wall jack connection. Which of the following will you use?

A. IDS/IPS

B. Snips

C. Coax cable strippers

D. Multimeter

Answer 5

5. B. To create a patch cable (568A) to connect your host to a jack in the wall, you need to use a snip.

Question 6

Where is the IDS/IPS software typically placed within a network?

A. Between the internal router and the firewall connected to the ISP

B. Between the printer and the router connected to the ISP

C. Between the computer and the switch configured with VLANs

D. Between the firewall and the router connected to the email server

Answer 6

6. A. Remember that firewalls are the first line of defense for an Internet-connected network. If a network was directly connected to the Internet without a firewall, an attacker could theoretically gain direct access to the computers and servers on that network with little effort. The IDS/IPS software is usually positioned between your internal router and the firewall to the outside network (Internet).

Question 7

What is the purpose of a port scanner?

A. Scan UDP for closed ports

B. Sweep TCP for closed ports

C. Search the network host for open ports

D. None of the above

Answer 7

7. C. Hope you answered C! A port scanner is just a piece of software designed to search a network for open hosts. Administrators of networks use port scanners to ensure security and bad guys use them to compromise it.

Question 8

What is the purpose of wire-map testers?

A. Check copper cable for crossed pairs only

B. Analyze protocols in software

C. Help find unused protocols and remove them from the network

D. Detect transposed wires, opens, and shorts in twisted-pair cables

Answer 8

8. D. Wire-map testing is the most basic type of testing for twisted-pair cables. It detects transposed wires, opens (broken or unconnected wires), and shorts (wires or pins improperly connected to each other).

Question 9

Which of the following can check the speed and condition of the signal on a cable, measure the time it takes to send a signal down the wire and back, and find the exact location of a break?

A. Multimeter

B. TDR

C. Tone generator

D. Event recorder

Answer 9

9. B. A time-domain reflectometer (TDR) is a tool that finds and describes faults in metallic cables like twisted wire pairs and coaxial cables. The equivalent device for optical fiber is an optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR). A TDR can also check the speed and condition of the signal on the cable.

Question 10

Which device should be used if you need to determine whether your network meets ISO or TIA standards?

A. Angry IP

B. Certifiers

C. Nmap

D. Routing table

Answer 10

10. B. A certifier is a combination cable tester and network analyzer, only better. It can test the performance and response times of network resources and certify your full Category 6 cable installation at the same time.

Question 11

Which software tool is used to view network traffic at the frame level?

A. TDR

B. Multimeter

C. Port scanner

D. Packet sniffer

Answer 11

11. D. Unlike port scanners, packet sniffers actually look inside every packet on a network segment at the frame level.

Question 12

Which of the following options is not a function of a TDR?

A. Estimate cable lengths

B. Find splice and connector locations and their associated loss amounts

C. Display unused services Determine cable-impedance characteristics

D. Send a signal down a cable and measure how long it takes to come back

Answer 12

12. C. Due to sensitivity to any variation and impedance, options A, B, D, and E are all reasons you’d use a TDR.

Question 13

Which device would be used to measure voltage?

A. Multimeter

B. OTDR

C. Butt set

D. Toner probe

Answer 13

13. A. A multimeter, or a volt/ohm meter (VOM), is used to measure voltage, current, and resistance.

Question 14

Which device would most likely be used to locate a specific connection in an unlabeled punch-down block?

A. VOM

B. Certifier

C. TDR Toner

D. probe

Answer 14

14. D. Otherwise known as a “fox and hound” wire tracer, a toner probe would be useful in this situation. A toner probe will emit an audible tone when it touches the other end of the cable.

Question 15

Which tool would be used to connect wire between two punch-down block blades?

A. Punch-down tool

B. Crimper

C. Snips

D. Strippers

Answer 15

15. A. I hope you said A! A punch-down tool would be used if you needed to connect wire to a punch-down block. Most networks today have wiring closets, and to terminate the cables, you’re certain to need a punch-down tool.

Question 16

Which tool is used to attach an RJ-45 connector to a Cat 5 cable?

A. Punch-down tool

B. Crimper

C. Snips

D. Strippers

Answer 16

16. B. A wire crimper, or crimper, is used for attaching ends onto different types of network cables.

Question 17

On which of the following would a technician use a punch-down tool?

A. RJ-45 connector

B. CSU/DSU

C. 110 block

D. Fiber ST connector

Answer 17

17. C. A punch-down tool is used to punch down an RJ-45 cable to an insulation displacement connector, typically a 110 block.

Question 18

Which device monitors incoming voltage levels and overvoltage thresholds?

A. Repeater

B. Toner probe

C. VOM

D. Surge protector

Answer 18

18. D. An everyday surge protector monitors the incoming voltage level and trips a circuit breaker when the voltage reaches a certain level, known as the overvoltage threshold.

Question 19

Which of the following tools can test a port on a device?

A. Cable certifier

B. Loopback plug

C. Butt set

D. Toner probe

Answer 19

19. B. A loopback test is a diagnostic procedure in which a signal is transmitted and returned to the sending device after passing through all or a portion of a network or circuit. A loopback plug makes this test possible.

Question 20

You install new switches in your server room and are now experiencing network instability and other issues across all servers in the rack. Which device would be used to alert you of a system overheating?

A. Voltage event recorder

B. Temperature monitor

C. Surge protector

D. Probe

Answer 20

20. B. Electronic devices are prone to overheating, which is why you should use a temperature monitor.