Free Practice Questions for the Cisco CCST CCST-Networking Exam (2026 Updated)

The two interfaces are administratively shut down :

False : The output does not show any "shutdown" command under the interfaces, which would indicate that they are administratively shut down. Therefore, they are likely in their default state, which is administratively up.

The two interfaces have default IP addresses assigned :

False : The output does not show any IP address configuration. In the default state, interfaces do not have IP addresses assigned unless explicitly configured.

The two interfaces can communicate over Layer 2 :

True : By default, interfaces on a switch are Layer 2 interfaces capable of forwarding Ethernet frames. As there is no configuration provided that changes this, it can be assumed they can communicate over Layer 2.

Interface Status : The absence of the "shutdown" command means the interfaces are not administratively shut down.

IP Address Assignment : There is no evidence in the output that IP addresses have been assigned to the interfaces, which would typically be shown as "ip address" entries.

Layer 2 Communication : Switch interfaces in their default state operate at Layer 2, enabling them to forward Ethernet frames and participate in Layer 2 communication.

References :

Cisco IOS Interface Configuration: Cisco Interface Configuration

Understanding Cisco Switch Interfaces: Cisco Switch Interfaces

The correct matching of the security options to their characteristics is as follows:

WPA2-Enterprise : Uses a RADIUS server for authentication

WEP : Uses a minimum of 40 bits for encryption

WPA2-Personal : Uses AES and a pre-shared key for authentication

Here’s why each security option matches the characteristic:

WPA2-Enterprise uses a RADIUS server for authentication, which provides centralized Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) management for users who connect and use a network service.

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is an outdated security protocol that uses a minimum of 40 bits for encryption (and up to 104 bits), which is relatively weak by today’s standards.

WPA2-Personal (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 - Personal) uses the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) for encryption and a pre-shared key (PSK) for authentication, which is shared among users to access the network.

These security options are essential for protecting wireless networks from unauthorized access and ensuring data privacy.

In the provided image of the Cisco PoE switch, the ports identified with number 6 are the standard RJ-45 Ethernet ports typically found on switches that provide both data connectivity and Power over Ethernet (PoE). PoE ports are designed to supply power to devices such as IP phones, wireless access points, and other PoE-enabled devices directly through the Ethernet cable.

Ports:

• 2: Console port (for management and configuration)

• 3 and 4: Specific function ports (often for management)

• 6: RJ-45 Ethernet ports (capable of providing PoE)

• 7: SFP ports (for fiber connections, typically do not provide PoE)

Thus, the correct answer is C. Ports identified with number 6.

References :=

• Cisco Catalyst 2960-L Series Switches Data Sheet

• Cisco PoE Overview

OSI model

During the data encapsulation process, the Data Link layer of the OSI model is responsible for adding a header that contains MAC addressing information and a trailer used for error checking. The header typically includes the source and destination MAC addresses, while the trailer contains a Frame Check Sequence (FCS) which is used for error detection 1 .

The Data Link layer ensures that messages are delivered to the proper device on a LAN using hardware addresses and translates messages from the Network layer into bits for the Physical layer to transmit. It also controls how data is placed onto the medium and is received from the medium through the physical hardware.

References :=

The OSI Model – The 7 Layers of Networking Explained in Plain English

OSI Model - Network Direction

Which layer adds both header and trailer to the data?

What is OSI Model | 7 Layers Explained - GeeksforGeeks

Two home office computers are connected to a switch by Ethernet cables .

Network Type : LAN (Local Area Network)

Explanation: A LAN connects devices within a limited area such as a home, office, or building, using Ethernet cables or Wi-Fi.

Three government buildings in the same city connect to a cable company over coaxial cables .

Network Type : MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

Explanation: A MAN connects networks across a city or campus, often using fiber optic or coaxial cables.

A cell phone connects to a Bluetooth headset .

Network Type : PAN (Personal Area Network)

Explanation: A PAN connects devices within a personal workspace, typically using wireless technologies like Bluetooth.

A financial institution connects its branches through a telecommunications service provider .

Network Type : WAN (Wide Area Network)

Explanation: A WAN connects multiple LANs over long distances, often using leased lines or satellite links provided by telecommunications companies.

LAN (Local Area Network) : Used for connecting devices within a small geographical area such as a single building or home.

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) : Covers a larger geographical area than a LAN, typically a city or campus.

PAN (Personal Area Network) : Connects devices within the range of an individual person, such as connecting a phone to a Bluetooth headset.

WAN (Wide Area Network) : Spans large geographical areas, connecting multiple LANs across cities, countries, or continents.

References :

Network Types Overview: Cisco Networking Basics

Understanding Different Network Types: Network Types Guide

WPA2-Personal, also known as WPA2-PSK (Pre-Shared Key), is the wireless security option that uses a pre-shared key to authenticate clients. This method is designed for home and small office networks and doesn’t require an authentication server. Instead, every user on the network uses the same key or passphrase to connect1.

References :=

• What is a Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key (WPA-PSK)?

• Exploring WPA-PSK and WiFi Security

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• WPA2-Personal: This wireless security option uses a pre-shared key (PSK) for authentication. Each client that connects to the network must use this key to gain access. It is designed for home and small office networks where simplicity and ease of use are important.

• WPA2-Enterprise: Unlike WPA2-Personal, WPA2-Enterprise uses 802.1x authentication with an authentication server (such as RADIUS) and does not rely on a pre-shared key.

• 802.1x: This is a network access control protocol for LANs, particularly wireless LANs. It provides an authentication mechanism to devices wishing to attach to a LAN or WLAN.

• 802.1q: This is a networking standard that supports VLAN tagging on Ethernet networks and is not related to wireless security.

References:

• Cisco Documentation on WPA2 Security: Cisco WPA2

• Understanding Wireless Security: Wireless Security Guide

The header of a UDP (User Datagram Protocol) segment includes port numbers . Specifically, it contains the source port number and the destination port number, which are used to identify the sending and receiving applications. UDP headers do not include IP addresses or MAC addresses, as those are part of the IP and Ethernet frame headers, respectively. Additionally, UDP does not use sequence numbers, which are a feature of TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) for ensuring reliable delivery of data segments 1 .

References :=

Segmentation Explained with TCP and UDP Header

User Datagram Protocol (UDP) - GeeksforGeeks

Which three fields are used in a UDP segment header

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UDP Header : The header of a UDP segment includes the following key fields:

Source Port : The port number of the sending application.

Destination Port : The port number of the receiving application.

Length : The length of the UDP header and data.

Checksum : Used for error-checking the header and data.

IP Addresses : These are included in the IP header, not the UDP header.

Sequence Numbers : These are part of the TCP header, not UDP.

MAC Addresses : These are part of the Ethernet frame header and are not included in the UDP header.

References :

RFC 768 - User Datagram Protocol: RFC 768

Cisco Guide on UDP: Cisco UDP Guide

• Statement A: "The trace successfully reached the www.cisco.com server." This is true as indicated by the "Trace complete" message at the end, showing that the trace has reached its destination.

• Statement C: "The IPv6 address associated with the www.cisco.com server is 2600:1408:c400:38d::b33." This is true because the final hop in the trace, which is the destination, has this IPv6 address.

• Statement B: "The trace failed after the fourth hop." This is incorrect as the trace continues beyond the fourth hop, despite some intermediate timeouts.

• Statement D: "The routers at hops 5 and 6 are offline." This is not necessarily true. The routers might be configured to not respond to traceroute requests.

• Statement E: "The device sending the trace has IPv6 address 2600:1408:c400:38d::b33." This is incorrect; this address belongs to the destination server, not the sender.

References:

• Understanding Traceroute: Traceroute Guide

Here’s how each protocol aligns with the correct TCP/IP model layer:

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) : This protocol belongs to the Transport layer, which is responsible for providing communication between applications on different hosts 1 .

IP (Internet Protocol) : IP is part of the Internetwork layer, which is tasked with routing packets across network boundaries to their destination 1 .

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) : FTP operates at the Application layer, which supports application and end-user processes. It is used for transferring files over the network 1 .

Ethernet : While not a protocol within the TCP/IP stack, Ethernet is associated with the Network Interface layer, which corresponds to the link layer of the TCP/IP model and is responsible for the physical transmission of data 1 .

The TCP/IP model layers are designed to work collaboratively to transmit data from one layer to another, with each layer having specific protocols that perform functions necessary for the data transmission process 1 .

TCP :

TCP Model Layer : Transport

Explanation: The Transport layer is responsible for end-to-end communication and error handling. TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) operates at this layer to provide reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of data.

IP :

TCP Model Layer : Internetwork

Explanation: The Internetwork layer, also known as the Internet layer, is responsible for logical addressing and routing. IP (Internet Protocol) operates at this layer to route packets across networks.

FTP :

TCP Model Layer : Application

Explanation: The Application layer provides network services to applications. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) operates at this layer to transfer files between computers over a network.

Ethernet :

TCP Model Layer : Network

Explanation: The Network layer, also known as the Link layer in the TCP/IP model, is responsible for physical addressing and access to the physical medium. Ethernet operates at this layer to provide the physical and data link functions.

Transport Layer : This layer is responsible for providing communication services directly to the application processes running on different hosts. TCP is a core protocol in this layer.

Internetwork Layer : This layer is responsible for logical addressing, routing, and packet forwarding. IP is the primary protocol for this layer.

Application Layer : This layer interfaces directly with application processes and provides common network services. FTP is an example of a protocol operating in this layer.

Network Layer : In the TCP/IP model, this layer includes both the data link and physical layers of the OSI model. Ethernet is a protocol used in this layer to define network standards and communication protocols at the data link and physical levels.

References :

TCP/IP Model Overview: Cisco TCP/IP Model

Understanding the TCP/IP Model: TCP/IP Layers