Networking Essentials
1) I got 2 questions of the type : Required results - Optional results - Proposed solutions
Which results does the proposed solution provide :ABCD in a scenario where three offices were to be connected by T1 links, much like in the "Networking Essentials" study book page 620. I think one of the required results were to keep information flow between the three offices even though one link failed. A map displayed the configuration : A pyramid situation in one of the questions, and a chain link situation in the other.
2)I also had an astonishing 3 questions where one used a ohmmeter to measure the resistance on a coax cable. A situation where you were to fix the problem after measuring for example 50 ohm on the end resistor( one question I think had 75 ohm, indicating wrong termination), infinity between the inner conductor and the outer shield (OK, one question said 0 that would indicate a short!) etc and decide if you should A)Change termination B) Change coax cables etc..
3) Had 2 questions that were totaly NT - related, showing a result %Processor Time and Page Faults /sec table from Performace Monitor and had you decide wheather a processor change or memory adding was the solution to increase performance.
4)What to use for measuring network performance over long period of time. Among the options were a Time domain reflectometer, Protocol Analyser (both wrong, logging with Performance Mon is correct) etc..
5)Which of the following would you use if you wanted a safe dialup connection: Among the options were SLIP (not safe), PPP (Correct) and some option that made no sense at all.
6) One classic concerning the fact that NETBEUI was not routable.
7) Which of the following can provide a WAN link with digital voice, data, and video etc.. and ATM, T1 etc were among the options.
one question - UNC naming scheme
one question - whether to choose a server based or peer to peer network.
General hints - brush up on differences between PPP & SLIP. Even though these arent mentioned in the "Networking Essentials" book, they actually are mentioned in Microsofts info on the test at their home site. Same goes for the DLC protocol. Hardly mentioned in the book (I think its in a OSI layer graph, but thats it). Just need to know that this protocol is needed when using network HP printers.
Well, thats about all I can remember. I took this in January so...(Ill remember to make a brain dump straight after the NT tests that are coming up later).
The MCP forum I mentioned earlier is closed this week, but Ive included 4 word documents, where Ive copy-paste the good hints from other people that have taken the tests. Might be helpful, but Ive only done this for NT4 Workstation, NT4 server + Enterprise and an unsorted TCP/IP.
Networking Essentials - extra materials
Topics covered on Networking Essentials Test that aren't in the Study Guide
--File Server
--Network device that provides files on demand
--Fits the request/reply format
--part of the client server
--Application Server
--provides services directly
--Ex: SEQL Server and Exchange Server
--Not a server that serves up applications but an application that
responds directly
--Connection Oriented vs. Connectionless Communication
--Connection oriented begins with an attempt to communicate and a
go ahead response whereas connectionless does not require a
go-ahead before it begins sending information
--Example: Phone conversations require a connection to be made before any
information can be communicated so they are similar to Connection
oriented communication; US Mail is like connectionless because there is
no need to establish connection to send information - there is also no
guarantee communication will be received
--Transceiver types
--transmitter and a receiver
--couples NIC to medium
--usually built-in, but also externally available
--physical connection between the medium and the computer
--Troubleshooting common answers:
--Netware -> frametype
--Token Ring-> Ring speed or protocol mismatch
--Ethernet -> transceiver type
--IRQ availability
--there must be an interrupt available for card to use
--available interrupt must be compatible with card
--***MEMORIZE THE IRQ TABLE***
--Select and appropriate networking medium
--based on cost, distance limitations, number of nodes
--wireless is chosen by number of remote users and difficulty of laying cable
--Fiber:
--greatest distance
--greatest bandwidth
--least amount of external interference
--greatest cost
--2 nodes to any pice of fiber is PTP (except FDDI)
--difficult to install
--easy to damage
--requires special trainings
--Coax:
--best for nodes with little change -> 10Base2
--thinwire is more flexible, no need for hub
--thickwire is best for backbones and medium to long hauls
--more immune to interference
--choice between thicket and thinnet comes down to cost and distance
--5-4-3 rule
--5: maximum number of segments
--4: maximum number of repeaters
--3: maximum number of active segments
--Cable lengths:
--100 meters (TP) 2 max devices
--185 meters (10Base2) 30 max devices
--500 meters (10Base5) 100 max devices
--Devices = pointers, repeaters, terminals
--TP is PTP from hub
--Token vs. Ethernet
--Token Ring is a guaranteed chance to transmit information while
Ethernet is probabalistic (not guaranteed)
--Token: regulates the medium
--IEEE specs on BNC, T-connectors, cable types:
--802.3
--RG 58AU - Ethernet 10Base2 Impedence = 50 Ohms
--RG 62 - Arcnet Impedence = 75 Ohms
--RG 8 - thicknet Impedence =50 Ohms
--Where Repeaters, Bridges, Routers, and Brouters sit on the OSI model
--Repeaters -> Physical; only change media types
--Bridges -> Data -> MAC; only change media types
--Routers/Brouters -> Network; change physical media and architectures
--as they get smarter they move up the model
--Gateways: specialized devices that work at whatever levels they have to allow protocols to talk to each other
--Switch
--smart, fast, hub
--makes electrical isolation paths
--every path effectively has the full benefit of all bandwidth
--easier and cheaper to install
--Protocol choices
--IPX -> Netware access; easier to manage than TCP/IP
--IPX/SPX is the same as NWLink
--good general purpose solution
--not necessarily restricted to NetWare
--is routable, second best choice for LANs
--TCP/IP -> internet access, intranet use
--requires heavy management of IP addresses
--NetBEUI -> Basic, small Microsoft/LANmanager
--AppleTalk -> Macs
--DLC -> Directly attached printers and mainframe access
***Not routable***
--SLIP vs. PPP
--SLIP is same as TCP/IP
--connection protocols
--SLIP is older and used in UNIX
--not fully standardized
--doest have authentication or encryption
--only about IP
--higher overhead
--does not allow assignment of IP addresses
--PPP
--built as a standardized SLIP
--can negotiate passwords and encryption
--allows for dynamic IP addressing
--supports multiple protocols: NetBUIE, TCP/IP, IPX
--NetBIOS naming system
--15 character name limitation
--no minimum
--NDIS and ODI
--ODI eliminates need for custom driver for every protocol/NIC combination
--vendors create cards to ODI standard
--NDIS 3.0 -> multiple protocols and NICs
--NDIS 3.1 -> adds plug-n-play to 3.0
--NetBIOS universal naming convention:
\\servername\sharename\resource
--avoids need to assign a drive letter
--Establishing an administrative plan
--network management
--account management
--security
--any other specifics
--fault tolerance
--**memorize RAID levels**
--NTFS
--deploys all advanced security
--allows for setting of permissions and share access
--enforces local and network security
--Differences between user level and share level
--share is password/group oriented
--user level is based on permissions
--Results of performance monitoring
--CPU%
--page faults
--& of disktime
--CPU que length
--Disk que length
--If CPU is at 100% options include:
--get a faster CPU
--add another CPU
--split apps across multiple servers
--If disktime is to big options include:
--get a faster disk
--split disks
--High disktimes and pagefaults are often due to memory problems
--CPU que length
--number of processes waiting for CPU time to run
--shouldn't be higher than 1.5
--to large might indicate a need for multiple processors
--Disk que length
--number of processes waiting to be written to disk
--Domains
--group of computers that share a common accounts database
--workgroups are federations of computers without an accounts database
--create a domain with a PDC
--only one per NT domain
--multiple BDCs
--accounts database holds:
--individual computer accounts
--individual use accounts
--groups
--primary purposes of BDC:
--faster access
--fault tolerance
--if the PDC fails the BDC still operates but the account database is
frozen until the PDC is restored or a BDC is promoted to PDC
--Four domain models
--Single
--only one domain and PDC
--all users and machines belong to the one domain
--BCD is not required, but recommended
--Master
--multiple domains connected to each other
--trust: one domain accepts the other domain's reliability
--allows first domain users to log on to second domain
--does not have to be two way
--allows for easy local administration
--easily scalable
--can have local BDC of trusted PDC without actual connection
--Multi-master
--takes over when Master is no longer scalable
--account domain is split into multiple PDCs with two way trusts
--resources choose a master to trust
--scaling beyond 100,00 limit
--difficult to keep masters in sync
--Complete
--every domain trusts every other model
--number of trust relations grows quickly
--only good reason for a complete trust is the merging of two
previously separate domains
--really only a temporary solution
Microsoft Corp - Microsoft Press
"Official Curriculum! Official self-study guide to the fundamentals of current networking technology&emdash;core knowledge required for future MCSEs. Provides users with a general understanding of the technical concepts in the LAN & WAN environments."
896 pages, 1 volume, 1 CD
ISBN: 1-55615-806-8
Price: $99.95
Level: Int/Adv
Networking Essentials
Most people describe this book as useful, but it is not as directed at the actual exams as some of the other New Riders MCSE books.
MCSE Study Guide: Windows 95 & Networking Essentials
by Lieigh Ann Chisholm, et al NewRiders
"This guide will provide you with all the information you need to pass these two MCSE exams. Written by MSCEs and MCTs, this book contains hundreds of test questions, lists, tables, notes, tips, and tricks. Fast, effective & easy to use."
800 pages, 1 volume, 1 CD
ISBN: 1-56205-568-2
Price: $75.00
Level: Expert
Upgrading and Repairing Networks
By far the most comprehensive and useful book in my opinion. Covers concepts in depth. I used this book as a complement to the Microsoft Press book. Any subjects in the Microsoft Press book are covered much more in depth in this book.
Upgrading and Repairing Networks
Zacker, et al.
Que, 1996
pages 1000
ISBN: 0-7897-0181-2
Price: Bookpool $40.50, List Price $59.99
Level: Expert
Transcender's NetCert 2.0
Definately worth the money! I highly recommend it!
Study Hints:
Don't take the exam relying solely on the Microsoft Press book. Most people use this test as a starting place, but I recommend saving this exam for last. It is a difficult test requiring a knowledge base of all Microsoft's products and also requires one of the highest passing scores for the exams (793). Don't let this exam scare you, but don't take it lightly either!
My tips and links for the Microsoft Networking Essentials Exam
The Microsoft Self Study Kit is not as good as it should be, so I have put this page together. If you have anything you would like added or you can answer any of my questions please e-mail me. I will do my best to publish what I know to be correct. Thanks to all of you that have sent all that good info - keep it coming. Here we go:
Standards and Terminology
Crosstalk = overflow from an adjacent wire
Attenuation=The weakening or distorting of a transmitted signal as it goes further
Beaconing=The process of signaling computers on a ring system that token passing has been interrupted by a serious error.
Jitter=Instability in a signal wave form over time that could be caused by signal interference or an unbalanced ring in FDDI or Token Ring environments.
A UNC (Universal Naming Convention) \\computer name\share name for example \\Sales\MSWord
Peer to Peer - use when there are less than 10 computers and security is not an issue
Client/Server - use when there are more than 10 computers or it may be expanded in the future and security is an issue.
User Level Security - Security is implemented by the Admin - security is based on user name and password
Share Level Security - each user has control of their shared resources (or "share") - used on peer to peer
*Which is a feature of Win NT Workstation:
*Which is a feature of Win 95:
Connection oriented communication is reliable
Connection-less orientated communication is unreliable
PPP supports dynamic IP addressing and SLIP does not. Also SLIP does not support compression but CSLIP does.
CSMA/CD -Carrier-sense multiple access with collision detection - check the cable for traffic - if there is no traffic it can send
CSMA/CA - Carrier-sense multiple access with collision avoidance - signals the intent so send data before sending to help avoid collisions - is slower and less popular than CSMA/CD
NDIS and ODI are designed to bind multiple protocols to a single NIC.
OSI Model - 7 layers
Application
represents the services that directly support user application, such as software for file transfer, database handle general network access, flow control, error recovery
Presentation
determines the format used to exchange data among networked computers -network's translator protocol conversion encrypting the data data compression utility known as redirector operates at this layer
Session
allows two applications on different computers to establish, use and end a connection called a session performs name recognition like security placing checkpoints in the data stream dialog control between communicating processes
Transport
ensure that packet are delivered error free break long message into several packet and repackage it when in receive mode send an acknowledgment of receive flow control, error handling
Network
addressing messages and translation logical addresses to physical addresses determine the route from the source to the destination computer packet switching, routing, controlling the congestion of data if the network card on the Router can't transmit a data chuck as large as the source PC sends, the network layer on the Router compensates by breaking the data into smaller units
Data Link
sends data frames from the network layer to the physical layer receive end - it packages raw bits from the physical layer into data frames provide the error-free transfer of these frames sends a frame, it waits for an acknowledgment from the recipient
LLC (Logical Link Control) upper sublayer of DL - manages DL communication and defines the use of logical interface points - defined by 802.2
MAC (Media Access Control) lower sublayer of DL - provides shared access for the NIC
Physical layer - is responsible for delivering error-free data between 2 computers - defined by 802.3, 802.4, 802.5, and 802.12
Physical transmits the unstructured raw bit stream over a physical medium (cable) defines how the cable is attached to the network adapter responsible for transmitting bits (1 & 0) easier way to remember the above:
I learned OSI very well, esp p172-175. You must also know where the network protocols live. They will give you a picture of it somewhere in your exam if you forget the order (esp of Transport and Network layers).
Application layer: layer7 Applications, e-mail, into user apps, initiates and accepts requests, higher level protocols live here, FTP,telnet,SMNP, SNMP, NFS and error RECOVERY.
Presentation Layer: layer6 Protocol conversion. The redirector lives here. Redirector grabs anything meant for network (files, prints anthing) and redirects to right place. All the different formats from all sources and all kinds are made into like a uniform common format that the rest of the OSI model can understand.
Session layer: layer5 Syncs & sessions. Connects two computers and controls, who send when, for how long, how, speeds, and oversees total control of packets. TCP, NWLink, named pipes, netBIOS and remember thatDLC lives here. This was one of the questions. Also remember that TCP(microsoft) is like SPX(Novell) and IP(microsoft) is like IPX (Novell). The above 3 layers are the application-level network service users.
Transport layer: layer4 "Trains" well I try and remember that the data streams breaks up into what looks like coaches of a train. The transport services layer. The error handling is done here. Different protocols have different requirements for length of data per packet, eg Token ring, Ethernet ATM all use different lenghts and these are formed and reformed in this layer. NDIS3, IP, SPX live here. Look p215.
The above 4 layers use gateways. There are Qs on which layers useg/.ways. ie App Pres.
Session. Trans.
There are also Questions on Physical= repeater (or hub)
Data link layer=bridge
Network=router
These are gift marks so know them.
Where does SMB reside? Where do you find DLC?
Network layer layer3; Think of a big network, where the traffic is routed to, this being done by adding source and destination addresses, choosing best routes.(and uses routers.)
Data Link Layer layer2: look at the movies on the CD with Net
essentials and see that DLL add CRC to other end of the data frames. Bridges
work here, and the book is very terse on explantations. Basically the packets
use network addresses (source and destination addresses) to get around;
they can move around the world using logical addresses and are part of networking
software, like Novell or Windows.This whole "network structure"
actually sits on top of,( like another thing) ,on top of the LAN. The LAN
being the basic underlying network, that's the nitty gritty physical network,
where the the acual Network cards talk to each other.
The LAN really is only local and the DATA LINK LAYER conrols it. DLL is
split into two LOGICAL LINK CONTROL and MEDIA ACCESS CONTROL. This may seem
difficult at first but its not too bad. Think that the Media Access Control
(MAC) controls the type of media being accessed ie media being Token ring,
ethernet etc. also learn the 802.3~"ethernet", 802.4 ~arcnet (really
only used by GM and obsolete), 802.5~token ring, and 802.12 Fiber.
The LOGICAL LINK CONTROL equates to 802.2 and is the "lowest level"
controlling and managing the media. Physical layer; layer 1; This is the
hardware and physical cables. Repeaters (or hubs) amplify attenuated or
wek signal here. (Another gift Q.) It just has to send 0 and 1, hi's and
lows, on's and off's .
Data frames work at the two bottom layers and only inside the LAN using Physical or MAC addresses (usually factory or hard wired addresses). On page 176 looks like 10 of the gift Qs we got. These bottom 2 layers are called networking services. P179 talks about SAPs. On Novell these are like identifiers that broadcast (every 30sec??) to make presence felt that others know they are there.(This might be wrong info but that's how I understood it but go no Qs on it anyway).
BINDING understand ir well (p212) ,and effect with NDIS2 and 3. There were couple of questions there. (multiple cards, multiple protocols etc).
All People Seems To Need Data Processing or Paula Did Networking Till She Passed Away
IEEE 802 Committees
802.1 Internetworking
802.2 Logical Link Control (LLC)
802.3 CSMA/CD NETWORK (Ethernet)*
802.4 Token Bus NETWORK
802.5 Token Ring NETWORK*
802.6 Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
802.7 Broadband Technical Advisory Group
802.8 Fiber-Optic Technical Advisory Group
802.9 Integrated Voice/Data Networks
802.10 Network Security
802.11 Wireless Networks
802.12 Demand Priority Access NETWORK (100VG-AnyLAN)
Planning
Ethernet topologies:
Type MHz Cable Type Length Connector
10BaseT 10 Cat 3,4 or 5 UTP (STP) 100m RJ-45
10Base2 10 thin-coax (RG-58) 185m BNC
10Base5 10 thick-coax (standard 500m DIX or AUI
Ethernet, thicknet)
1 0BaseFL 10 fiber-optic 2000m ?
100BaseT4 100 4-pair Cat 3,4 or 5UTP 100m R J-45
100BaseTX 100 2-pair Cat 5 UTP or STP 100m RJ-45
100Base 100 2-strand fiber-optic cable 2000m
RG-58 /U = Solid copper core - 50ohm impedance
RG-58 A/U = Stranded wire core
RG-58 C/U = Military spec. of RG-58 A/U
RG-59 = Broadband transmission such as cable TV
RG-6 = Larger in diameter and rated for higher frequencies than RG-59, but used for
broadband transmissions as well
RG-62 = arcane networks
What is the difference in RG58U and RG58AU?
A/U signifies a stranded wire core instead of solid for thinnet. RG 58 U cable (solid core conductor) is NOT compatible with for ThinNet and is different that RG 58 A/U which IS used for ThinNet *HINT* replace RG58 U with RG58 A/U
1 meter =3.281 feet
*Know the different categories of UTP cable and what bandwidth they're capable of.
Category Mbps Type Physical Length Connector
1 ? Voice Telephone cable Help? MIC
2 4 Data 4 twisted-pairs Help? MIC
3 10 Data 4 twisted-pairs-3 twist per foot 100m RJ-45 or RJ-11
4 16 Data 4 twisted-pairs 100m RJ-45 or RJ-11
5 100 Data 4 twisted-pairs of copper wire 100m RJ-45 or RJ-11
Incorrect frame types can really throw off an IPX/SPX network.
IPX/SPX is great for Peer-to-Peer networking if NetBEUI is not a choice (hint: that's one of the questions on
the test).
NetBEUI is a Transport protocol and is not routeable mainly used on Microsoft networks.
Mesh - uses routers to dynamically select the best path for the data
Know what a Mesh topology looks like (I had one that showed an exhibit of a mesh and asked me what it was).
Check out page 782 of the SSK.
A subnet mask is used to mask a portion of the IP address so that TCP/IP can distinguish the network ID from the host ID. TCP/IP hosts communicate by using the subnet mask to determine whether the destination host is located on a local or remote network. The following is a valid subnet mask: 255.255.0.0.
Repeater = Physical layer - takes a weak signal and regenerates it - doesn't translate or filter anything - can move packets from on physical media to another (i.e. can connect thinet to fiber-optic) - they are cheap - will pass a broadcast storm
Bridge = Data Link layer - does everything a repeater does - reduce traffic by segmenting the network by using a routing table- regenerate the signal at the packet level - not suited to WANs slower than 56K - will pass broadcast storms - read the source and destination of every packet - pass packet with unknown destinations - connect dissimilar networks (i.e. Token Ring and Ethernet)
Router = Network layer - does filtering and isolating traffic - forwards particular protocols to particular addresses (other routers) - connect network segments - not all protocols are routeable (LAT and NetBEUI) - are used in complex network situations because they provide better traffic mgmt. than brides - don't pass broadcast traffic.
Brouter = combines best qualities of both a bridge and a Router - can act like a Router for one protocol and bridge all of the others (nonroutable) - delivers more cost-effective and more manageable internetworking than separate bridges and routers - connect 2 networks and limit unnecessary traffic - separate administrative networks - in other words use a brouter when using routeable and nonroutable protocols
Gateway = link 2 systems that don't use the same protocols, data formatting structures, languages and architecture (i.e. NT and SNA) - stripes protocol stack and repackages it - used to connect a mini and mainframe (NT and an AS/400) - task-specific, slow and expensive.
Multiplexer = a device that can divide transmission into 2 or more channels
In addition to protocol levels for each device, know what kind of compatible network each can join:
In addition to protocol levels for each device, know what kind of compatible network each can join:
X.25 = slow because of error checking and retransmission
Frame Relay = fiber optic
ATM = 155Mbps to 622Mbs
ISDN = divided into 3 channels 2 are 64Kbps (128Kbs combined,B channels, data stream)
3rd is 16Kbs (D channel, signaling and link mgmt.)
FDDI = 100Mbps - 500 computers over 100kilometers (62 miles) -
SONET = 51.84 Mbps
SMDS = 1Mbps to 34 Mbps
*What speed can X.25 and Frame Relay support?
1. Frame relay is cool. Frame relay gives you as much bandwith (transfer rate) as you want. You just pay for the bits transferred, instead of the time connected or the lease or watever. It does this by routing the packets through all of the provider's meshed network, (The cloud) just like the internet does. I guess it's only limited to the connection that you have to your provider.
X.25 is like frame relay except it's a little older and employs tons of error checking because its medium was plain old telephone wires (crosstalk and interference galore!) I guess these are related to your question about sliding TCP windows above, because they have to have packet assemblers/disassemblers (PAD's) ---the packets have to sit into the window and wait until everyone has gotten there and everyone is put in order before more can be sent. Of course, they don't nececarily have to be using a TCP sliding window. The PAD is actually at a lower level in the OSI model compared to tcp's sliding windows, I think. 2. X.25 can support up to 56 Mbps.
Frame Relay, according to AT&T, is capable of "burst rates up to 1.5 Mbps initially and potentially 45 Mbps in later releases."
Implementation
Raid 0 - disk striping - disk striping divides data into 64k block and spreads it equally in a fixed rate and order among all disks in an array
Raid 1 - disk mirroring - actually duplicates a partition and moves the duplication onto another physical disk duplexing - is a mirrored pair of disks with an addition disk controller on the second drive
Raid 2 -Disk striping with ECC - when data is written the block is divided up and put across all drives - ECC is Error correction code
Raid 3 - ECC stored as parity - same as 2 but the ECC is cut down so that is only counts the number of 1's.
Raid 4 - disk guarding - one drive is a dedicated parity drive, data is striped to multiple drives and then its parity sum is calculated, which is written to the dedicated parity drive
Raid 5 - striping with parity - data is striped across multiple drives and then its parity sum is calculated, which is also striped across multiple drives (not a dedicated parity drive) needs a min of 3 drives.
Sector spacing - hot fixing automatically adds sector - recovery capabilities to the file system while the computer is running if bad sectors are found during disk I/O. the fault tolerance driver will attempt to move the data to good sector and map out the bad sector -only for SCSI, not EIDE or IDE
IRQ2(9)=EGA/VGA
IRQ3=COM2, COM4
IRQ4=COM1, COM3
IRQ5=LPT2 or Sound Card or NIC
IRQ6=Floppy Disk Controller
IRQ7=LPT1
A valid NetBIOS name must be under 15 chars, and have valid characters, (You know, not these kind #$%^&*()|", etc, etc.) and it also must be unique on the netowork.
*Remember that Netbios names can be made valid over a WAN(i.e. routable) if you use IPX/SPX with Netbios support as the protocol.
Digital Volt Meter (DVM) is the most basic, all-purpose electronic measuring tool. Can tell you if cable is continuous or broken - can revel if two parts of the same cable are exposed and touching or a broken part of the cable is touching another conductor (piece of metal).
Protocol Analyzer=can look at packets to generate stats on network traffic - have a built in TDR - can provide insights into the network's behavior
Time Domain Reflectometer= sends sonar like pulses - looks for a break, short or imperfection in a cable - can locate a break within a few feet of the actual separation in the cable
Oscilloscopes=can display shorts, crimps, breaks and attenuation in cable.
When only one computer cannot connect to the network - it's probably a physical problem like the NIC or the cable connection - if you are using IPX/SPX it's probably an incorrect frame type.
*Know that you cannot wire-tap a FDDI network like you can Ethernet.
*Q: What of the following would you replace..
you tested the cable from center to edge and it read 0 ohm to infinite
you tested the T connector and it read 0 ohm
you tested the Terminator and it read 50 ohm
A: The cable appears to be broken since the ohm is reading 0 - infinite
Misc.
*Know what protocol is used to determine # of hops to a destination.
Routing information protocol (RIP) uses distance-vector algorithms to determine routes.
*Ethernet has an MTU (maximum transfer unit) of 1514 bytes compared to Token Ring's 4k+.
*Your bridge/router between the two networks affects (effects?) the file transfer as well as the lan protocol (IPX/IP/NetBeui) you are using.
*Note2: For MS Networking Essentials Readers please substitute 'gateway' for the above mention bridge/router.
*There were a lot of questions on bridges vs. routers vs. gateways (when to use which one in this or that scenario). There were also a lot of 10base2, 10baseT comparison questions.
*Definitely know about which 802.x refers to which wire type (thick coax, thin coax, 10baseT, baseband vs. broadband, bus vs. star, Collision Detection vs. Token passing etc.
*DLC, LAT and NetBEUI are not routable. Almost everything else likely to be on the test is routable.
*Which of the following supports compression and error control: PPP and SLIP &endash; SLIP doesn't support compression --- *Which of the following are routable protocols (name 5): TCP/IP, NWLink SPX, Apple Talk, NetBEUI and DLC (not NetBEUI or DLC and DLC is not a valid peer-to-peer network protocol for computers)
*Know when to use a bridge, router, or gateway. There are about 12 questions where it puts you in a scenario and gives an action and asks if the action meets all or part of the goal. Those ones seem hard but if you've studied you can figure it out with deductive reasoning. It doesn't ask any questions on definitions of the OSI model per se, but will ask how it pertains to network hardware.
Know ATM, FDDI, etc and what they can be used for. Also have ALL the ethernet 802.3 characteristics down to a SCIENCE! There;s also a few where it asks something like "You've set up a PC and it inserts into the ring, but you can't see some of the servers, what is the problem?"
*Which is used for at least 100mbps: ATM, X25, 52kbps Digital line (ATM)
*Understand that if you are upgrading to 100BaseTX, you will need to also change network cards, hubs, etc
*Know that a terminator impedance is usually always 50 ohms
*Know the difference between a file & print server and an application server, i.e. the application server performs processor calculations
*you gotta know your TCP/IP quite well-ask about windows size changes lots of stuff in the situation questions.etc. Lots on Packet switching, ATM, switching hubs, T1 lines.
*OSI Layer wasnt asked so much except where does repeater(1) bridge(2) router(3) and gateway (4,5,6,7) fit in.
*Also, be prepared to answer some questions on some network troubleshooting equipment, a topology question that is obviously MESH that isn't in the self study guide, and an assortment of how long of a cable run can you have with 10-base-T, 10-Base-2, etc.
*Know the different types of coax and what they're used for (RG-8, RG-11, RG-58, RG-62)
*Know the difference between a Volt-Ohm Meter, a Protocol Analyzer, and a Time Domain Reflectometer, and what each one is used for.
*Know what protocol (RIP) is used to determine # of hops to a desination.
*Know the different types of network services (ATM, X.25, ISDN, Frame Relay, etc.) and what bandwidth they're capable of.
*Know what a Mesh topology looks like (I had one that showed an exhibit of a mesh and asked me what it was).
*Know that you cannot wire-tap a FDDI network like you can Ethernet.
*IPX/SPX is great for Peer-to-Peer networking if NetBEUI is not a choice (hint: that's one of the questions on the test).
* Acronyms suchs DHCP, WINS, NFS
* Different diagnostics tools such as TDR Time Domain Reflectometer, Sniffers, VOM Volt-Ohm Meter, oscilloscope
* Memorize the Media Types, UTP, ThickNet ThinNet, etc. max distances, how to implement.
* Using a router to resolve broadcast storms (freebie)
* Different network topologies including Mesh
Thanks to all of you that have answered my questions and shared your information to make this page possible!
My tips and links for the Microsoft Networking Essentials Exam Standards and Terminology
Crosstalk = overflow from an adjacent wire
Attenuation=The weakening or distorting of a transmitted signal as it goes further
Beaconing=The process of signaling computers on a ring system that token passing has been interrupted by a serious error.
Jitter=Instability in a signal wave form over time that could be caused by signal interference or an unbalanced ring in FDDI or Token Ring environments.
A UNC (Universal Naming Convention) \\computer name\share name for example \\Sales\MSWord
Peer to Peer - use when there are less than 10 computers and security is not an issue
Client/Server - use when there are more than 10 computers or it may be expanded in the future and security is an issue.
User Level Security - Security is implemented by the Admin - security is based on user name and password
Share Level Security - each user has control of their shared resources (or "share") - used on peer to peer
*Which is a feature of Win NT Workstation:
Shared resources with passwords (incorrect)
User level passwords (correct)
*Which is a feature of Win 95:
Shared resources with passwords (correct)
User level passwords (incorrect)
Connection oriented communication is reliable
Connection-less orientated communication is unreliable
PPP supports dynamic IP addressing and SLIP does not. Also SLIP does not support compression but CSLIP does.
CSMA/CD -Carrier-sense multiple access with collision detection - check the cable for traffic
- if there is no traffic it can send
CSMA/CA - Carrier-sense multiple access with collision avoidance - signals the intent so send data b4 sending to help avoid collisions - is slower and less popular than CSMA/CD
NDIS and ODI are designed to bind multiple protocols to a single NIC.
For the OSI Model click here and here.
OSI Model - 7 layers
Application
represents the services that directly support user application, such as software for file transfer, database handle general network access, flow control, error recovery
Presentation
determines the format used to exchange data among networked computers -network's translator, protocol conversion encrypting the data, data compression, utility known as redirector operates at this layer
Session
allows two applications on different computers to establish, use and end a connection called a session performs name recognition like security placing checkpoints in the data stream dialog control between communicating processes
Transport
ensure that packet are delivered error free
break long message into several packet and repackage it when in receive mode
send an acknowledgment of receive
flow control, error handling
Network
addressing messages and translation logical addresses to physical addresses
determine the route from the source to the destination computer
packet switching, routing, controlling the congestion of data if the network card on the Router
can't transmit a data chuck as large as the source PC sends, the network layer on the Router
compensates by breaking the data into smaller units
Data Link
sends data frames from the network layer to the physical layer
receive end - it packages raw bits from the physical layer into data frames
provide the error-free transfer of these frames
sends a frame, it waits for an acknowledgment from the recipient
LLC (Logical Link Control) upper sublayer of DL - manages DL communication and defines the use of logical interface points - defined by 802.2
MAC (Media Access Control) lower sublayer of DL - provides shared access for the NIC
Physical layer - is responsible for delivering error-free data between 2 computers - defined by 802.3, 802.4, 802.5, and 802.12
Physical
transmits the unstructured raw bit stream over a physical medium (cable) defines how the cable is attached to the network adapter responsible for transmitting bits (1 & 0)
easier way to remember the above:
I learned OSI very well, esp p172-175. You must also know where the network protocols live. They will give you a picture of it somewhere in your exam if you forget the order (esp of Transport and Network layers).
Application layer: layer7 Applications, e-mail, into user apps, initiates and accepts requests, higher level protocols live here, FTP,telnet,SMNP, SNMP, NFS and error RECOVERY.
Presentation Layer:layer6 Protocol conversion. The redirector lives here. Redirector grabs anything meant for network (files, prints anthing) and redirects to right place. All the different formats from all sources and all kinds are made into like a uniform common format that the rest of the OSI model can understand.
Session layer: layer5 Syncs & sessions. Connects two computers and controls, who send when, for how long, how, speeds, and oversees total control of packets. TCP, NWLink, named pipes, netBIOS and remember thatDLC lives here. This was one of the questions. Also remember that TCP(microsoft) is like SPX(Novell) and IP(microsoft) is like IPX (Novell). The above 3 layers are the application-level network service users.
Transport layer: layer4 "Trains" well I try and remember that the data streams breaks up into what looks like coaches of a train. The transport services layer. The error handling is done here. Differentprotocols have different requirements for length of data per packet, eg Token ring, Ethernet ATM all use different lenghts and these are formed and reformed in this layer. NDIS3, IP, SPX live here. Look p215.
The above 4 layers use gateways. There are Qs on which layers useg/.ways. ie App Pres.
Session. Trans.
There are also Qs on Physical= repeater (or hub)
Data link layer=bridge
Network=router
These are gift marks so know them.
Where does SMB reside? Where do you find DLC?
Network layer layer3; Think of a big network, where the traffic is routed to, this being done by adding source and destination addresses, choosing best routes.(and uses routers.)
Data Link Layer layer2: look at the movies on the CD with Net essentials and see that DLL add CRC to other end of the data frames. Bridges work here, and the book is very terse on explantations. Basically the packets use network addresses (source and destination addresses) to get around; they can move around the world using logical addresses and are part of networking software, like Novell or Windows.This whole "network structure" actually sits on top of,( like another thing) ,on top of the LAN. The LAN being the basic underlying network, that's the nitty gritty physical network, where the the acual Network cards talk to each other.
The LAN really is only local and the DATA LINK LAYER conrols it. DLL is split into two
LOGICAL LINK CONTROL and MEDIA ACCESS CONTROL. This may seem difficult at first but its not too bad. Think that the Media Access Control (MAC) controls the type of media being accessed ie media being Token ring, ethernet etc. also learn the 802.3~"ethernet", 802.4 ~arcnet (really only used by GM and obsolete), 802.5~token ring, and 802.12 Fiber.
The LOGICAL LINK CONTROL equates to 802.2 and is the "lowest level" controlling and managing the media.
Physical layer; layer 1; This is the hardware and physical cables. Repeaters (or hubs) amplify attenuated or wek signal here. (Another gift Q.) It just has to send 0 and 1, hi's and lows, on's and off's .
Data frames work at the two bottom layers and only inside the LAN using Physical or MAC addresses (usually factory or hard wired addresses). On page 176 looks like 10 of the gift Qs we got. These bottom 2 layers are called networking services. P179 talks about SAPs. On Novell these are like identifiers that broadcast (every 30sec??) to make presence felt that others know they are there.(This might be wrong info but that's how I understood it but go no Qs on it anyway).
BINDING understand ir well (p212) ,and effect with NDIS2 and 3. There were couple of questions there. (multiple cards, multiple protocols etc).
All People Seems To Need Data Processing or Paula Did Networking Till She Passed Away
IEEE 802 Committees
802.1 Internetworking
802.2 Logical Link Control (LLC)
802.3 CSMA/CD NETWORK (Ethernet)*
802.4 Token Bus NETWORK
802.5 Token Ring NETWORK*
802.6 Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
802.7 Broadband Technical Advisory Group
802.8 Fiber-Optic Technical Advisory Group
802.9 Integrated Voice/Data Networks
Incorrect frame types can really throw off an IPX/SPX network.
IPX/SPX is great for Peer-to-Peer networking if NetBEUI is not a choice (hint: that's one of the questions on the test).
NetBEUI is a Transport protocol and is not routeable mainly used on Microsoft networks.
Mesh - uses routers to dynamically select the best path for the data
Know what a Mesh topology looks like (I had one that showed an exhibit of a mesh and asked me what it was). Check out page 782 of the SSK.
A subnet mask is used to mask a portion of the IP address so that TCP/IP can distinguish the network ID from the host ID. TCP/IP hosts communicate by using the subnet mask to determine whether the destination host is located on a local or remote network. The following is a valid subnet mask: 255.255.0.0.
Repeater = Physical layer - takes a weak signal and regenerates it - doesn't translate or filter anything - can move packets from on physical media to another (i.e. can connect thinet to fiber-optic) - they are cheap - will pass a broadcast storm
Bridge = Data Link layer - does everything a repeater does - reduce traffic by segmenting the network by using a routing table- regenerate the signal at the packet level - not suited to WANs slower than 56K - will pass broadcast storms - read the source and destination of every packet - pass packet with unknown destinations - connect dissimilar networks (i.e. Token Ring and Ethernet)
Router = Network layer - does filtering and isolating traffic - forwards particular protocols to particular addresses (other routers) - connect network segments - not all protocols are routeable (LAT and NetBEUI) - are used in complex network situations because they provide better traffic mgmt. than brides - don't pass broadcast traffic.
Brouter = combines best qualities of both a bridge and a Router - can act like a Router for one protocol and bridge all of the others (nonroutable) - delivers more cost-effective and more manageable internetworking than separate bridges and routers - connect 2 networks and limit unnecessary traffic - separate administrative networks - in other words use a brouter when using routeable and nonroutable protocols
Gateway = link 2 systems that don't use the same protocols, data formatting structures, languages and architecture (i.e. NT and SNA) - stripes protocol stack and repackages it - used to connect a mini and mainframe (NT and an AS/400) - task-specific, slow and expensive.
Multiplexer= a device that can divide transmission into 2 or more channels
In addition to protocol levels for each device, know what kind of compatible network each can join:
*Bridges - connect two similar networks and keep local IP address traffic local, but broadcasts go to the other side.
*Routers - connect similar protocol networks but only propagate packets that are not addressed to the local network and know about the router (in network control panels it the default gateway or route table that has to know about routers).
*BRouters are devices that can act like bridges or routers.
*Gateway (not to be confused with default gateways) are protocolconverters they change TCP/IP to IPX/SPX etc.
*Ethernet Switches - they confine network traffic by actually only making connections between the source and destination systems. Wont help with broadcasts though, but will cut down traffic on backbone.
*Know the differences between Repeaters, Routers, Bridges, Brouters, Gateways, Hubs, etc, and in which cases you would need one or the other.
*In addition to protocol levels for each device, know what kind of compatible network each can join:
*repeater: different media, e.g, thicknet & thinnet
*bridge: same as repeater AND different architecture, e.g., token ring to ethernet
*gateway: same router AND different PROTOCOLS
X.25 = slow because of error checking and retransmission
Frame Relay = fiber optic
ATM = 155Mbps to 622Mbs
ISDN = divided into 3 channels 2 are 64Kbps (128Kbs combined,B channels, data stream)
3rd is 16Kbs (D channel, signaling and link mgmt.)
FDDI = 100Mbps - 500 computers over 100kilometers (62 miles) -
SONET = 51.84 Mbps
SMDS = 1Mbps to 34 Mbps
[... here were some repeated stuff]
Deciding for yourself? Well, here's what they said.
These are bigger, longer questions that presents a networking situation with both required/optional results and a solution, asking you if the solution would achieve all or some of the required/optional results. To answer correctly, just read carefully but don't spent too much time on them.
NE as I know it tests your knowledge on all aspects of both LAN and WAN.
Terminology is important. Basic knowledge of all communication devices is a must. And it helps if you have working experience with any special network tools. But no questionon wireless technology.
I took the test and they did not ask for that much detail on the 802.x specifications. If you know 802..3 an 802.5 you should be fine. The thing that killed me was the TDR, Osiscolosope, and Protocol Analyzer Questions!
THE Network Essentials Exam Primer
This page will attempt to serve up as much information as possible about the Network Essentials exam.
Broad statistics/facts/rules about the exam.
There are 58 questions on it, taken from a pool of about 125.
You have 75 minutes to take the exam.
You will need about a 793/1000 to pass the exam.
The test goes through a beta testing phase, where questions are dropped from the exam pool.
The questions that are dropped are used to form the assessment exams.
The MS assessment exams are generally regarded as very necessary for preparation.
The exam is given by Drake Prometric. For more info, call 1-800-755-3926.
No materials are required, the proctor provides pencil and paper.
Anyone caught writing on anything other than the paper provided will be disqualified, or worse.
Go To:
Everything you wanted to know about this exam according to Microsoft.
What people who have taken the exam have said.
Questions that you really should study well.
See what you have to do before taking this exam.
Topics covered on exams (and approximate number of questions on each)
Topic
# of questions
cable testers, time domain reflectors, etc.
5-7
mesh topology
1
Gateways, routers, bridges
3-4
Planning
5
OSI model
1-2
ODI, NDIS
2-4
Troubleshooting
3-6
802.3, 802.5
2-3
cables (length, types)
2-3
WAN
5-8
protocols
These are my thoughts about the N/E exams:
It was Hard!!!
When you go in to write they give 15 minutes for a practice test, use this time to write down most of the stuff that you might forget during the exams. Just try a feel questions, you don't have finish the practice test.
My biggest problem was time, I didn't have enough time to finish the exam. I had about 30 short questions in a row and then I got the next 15 long questions, I mean they are long questions especially the required result and proposed solution questions.
When I was at the end of the exam, the screen appeared with all 58 questions (only number from 1-58), for all the questions that I marked it had a yellow box and a letter M, then you can switch back and forth (it's faster to do it this way then scrolling back and forth) and for any questions that I did not answer, it appeared with a red box with a letter I in it.
I didn't get any ? about cables length, no ? on OSI model.
You should concentrate on ODI, NDIS, WAN (T1, SWITCHED 56, ATM, FRAME RELAY), CABLE AND NETWORK TESTER (VOLT METERS, OSCILLOSCOPE, TDR, ADVANCED CABLES TESTER, NETWORK MONITOR AND PROTOCOL ANALYZER), REPEATERS, BRIDGES, ROUTERS, GATEWAYS, PROTOCOLS (NWLINK IPX, TCP/IP, NETBEUI, IP ADDRESS, DOMAIN NAME, WINS SOCKET, WINDOWS SIZING, PPP, SLIP, DLC, DHCP, SPX/IPX), RAID LEVEL 0, 1, 5, IRQ.
Here are some of the ?s that I remembered:
2 ?s on ODI and NDIS, what is the benefit and how they work ?
Which of the following support error control and compression? SLIP, PPP. And another ? asked about data transfer is it? DLC, PPP, SLIP.
You have 5 computer peer-to-peer network, which protocol would you use? I answered Nwlink
You have a bus network grounded at 2 end of the cables, what is wrong? (this ? came with a diagram) the answer is too much grounding.
Another ? similar to the one above with too many terminators.
1 ? with IRQ conflicting.
2 computer just installed to the network, installation were fine, not conflicting with IRQ but could not connect to the network, what's wrong? I answered change base I/O port setting from 300 to 320.
2 ? on SPX/IPX frame type and size conflict.
As an administrator, 1 of the worker in the company complained that her computer is slow. What should you do to isolate this problem? Using network monitor to monitor the network, or shut down all routers in that segment, or shut down the server in that segment of the network.
Wan using a Switched 56Kbps to copy files from a LAN database sever, and the server has been optimized.
What do you do to get a 1 Mbps. Change this Switched 56 to a T1.
Any time when you get a ? involving mainframe and you want to connect your computer to it, use gateway.
After you installed a NIC card, you could not boot your computer, what happened?
After you installed a NIC card, you cannot connect to the network, What happened?
What is the wireless connection?
What is connection-less-communication?
What is the RAID level for duplexing? Level 1
What is fast and cost is not a factor for fault tolerance? RAID level 5.
A 4Mbps token ring LAN connect to 10BaseT Ethernet, It takes 3 min to down load a file from a token ring
LAN to the Ethernet LAN and it only takes 30 seconds to down load in the opposite direction, why ?
Required result: all the site can connect to each other with a transfer rate of 100Mbps. O1,O2, Proposed
solution: Atlanta connect to N.Y. with T1 and 9,600 bps modem, N.Y. connect to L.A. with T1 and a 9,600 bps
modem. I answered achieve the required result and 1 optional because if one of the T1 line is down you could
not have a 100Mbps. (a diagram was attached to this ?)
Another required result type ? with a diagram attached asked me a WAN using 28,800 bps connection to 4
TR16 LAN (Don't even know what this is), the required result was to have a 1Mbps rate. I answered no for this question.
Some other ?s I can't remember but 1 related to Wins Socket. 1 ? about windows sizing. You Ping an IP address OK but you cannot connect to the same site when you use domain name to connect. WAN connection is a MESH topology. 2 ?s required result type ? how to improve network performance by 50%, they gave me a mixed LAN (Netware, Windows NT, 95, Unix). Upgrade form 10BaseT LAN to 100BaseTX, what do you need to do to get the required result and optional results.
I have 8-10 ? on Required result and propose solution type ?, 2 ? about ODI and NDIS, 2 ? on PPP and SLIP,
about 8 ? on routers bridges gateways, 5-7 ? Cable and network testers, 6-8 ? on WAN (ATM, Frame Relay,
X.25, T1 and Switched 56), about 4 ? deal with Nwlink IPX and you better know your protocols.
This is all I can remember. Good Luck with your exams.
Well I have more information for you.
You have an 200 node LAN using TCP/IP, and you want to segment it into 3 subnets. What do you use? (a repeater, bridge, router or gateway) use a router.
The same ? but this time the LAN using TCP/IP and NETBEUI and after you segment it into 3 subnets it is still able to use both protocol. What do you use? A brouter.
1 ? with RG58 /U and RG58 A/U they are not compatible, change the cable.
2 ? that I picked ATM because of it speed and packet switching.
Which of the following are the dial-up connection? SLIP, PPP.
One of your friend computer using a dial-up connection but the computer not able to configure the IP address automatically. Which of the following is the protocol that she has in her machine? SLIP, PPP. (answer SLIP).
I had the ? with 2 computers with the same MAC address could not access the network.
2 long ? with required results about 3 sights using T1 connections with a diagram.
55 computers in 10baseT LAN. The network is slow during peak hours. You want to improve the network performance with minimal cost. What would be your best choice? (choices are change all - NIC card to FDDI
NIC card, NIC card to ATM card, NIC card to ISDN card, put in Ethernet switches).
3 ? about testing the network packets, performance. I picked the protocol analyzer.
Know your repeaters, bridges, routers, brouters and gateways.
2 long ? (required results and proposed solutions) about NETBIOS 15 character names. Ask Alex about these ?
because he's got the solutions.
which of the following protocol count the number of hops from a source computer to destination computer?
(Choices from A-N) I picked RIP.
a ? with connection-oriented.
2 ? ODI and NDIS what are they ? The wording is like any NIC cards independent of any protocols
What do you use to connect a Ethernet LAN to IBM mainframe? Use gateway.
2 long ? on required results how to reduce traffic by 50 %. You have 10baseT LAN. Proposed solutions:
Upgrade the network from 10baseT to 100baseT.
a ? with IPX frame mismatch.
A ? with use- level security.
2 long ? required results: user-level security, keep data in a safe place, prevent virus damage the system and data, if the system is down the acceptable down time is 2 hours or less, monitor the network. Proposed solution: (something like this) Install UPS, perform auditing, lock up the server, makes 2 copies of tape backup keep one in your office and the other in a safe place, perform NTFS user-level security, install all virus checking software on all computers, install RAID 5 level. (I can't remember the ? in detail but this is just to give you an idea of what to expect on the test)
I had the usual questions, use the internet stuff to give you the areas you need to study.
Know Slip and PPP, two questions about these with regards to a Ras Server and one with two check boxes. The question was which one supports compression etc., the answer is PPP.
Application server and file server. The applications server does:
A)xxxxx
B)xxxxx
C)xxxxx
an application server provides services directly, ie Sequel Server (right answer)
Know your TDR's, protocol analysers, digital volt meters, I got killed on these
questions, I was not expecting 5 hard questions on these. Which one would you use
to figure out bandwidth? Oscilloscope, we think on Monday night.
I had a question : 486 computer
16 mb Ram
Scsi harddrive
cd-rom
something is not working: - the scsi is in conflict with the network adaptor
-the cd-rom is in conflict with the network adaptor
card
-c and d , two choices I don't remember
-took e, didn't have a clue.
The wording of the test is different, it took me awhile to get comfortable with it.
I had a question about what to use to figure out a problem with a hub, nic card.
Many choices: a performance monitor etc. and the correct answer is SNMP
(simple network management protocol)
a netbios name, pertains to (check 3 out of 4)
-workgroup name
-server name
-domain name
-computer name
I again checked e, don't have a clue. Found answer from Mary-Anne, everything but server.
Know ethernet, I mean know it, the connectors, the cabling for fast ethernet backbone, that was one of my questions (UTP category 5), threw fiber-optic to try and fool you.
Domain Naming Service, WINS, DHCP, read the core technology chapters.
Know Nwlink is the protocol to use for a small 5 computer workgroup if Netbeui isn't one listed.
-a lot of bridges, brouter questions, with TCP/Netbeui/ SPX/IPX thrown in to fool you
I had a question on connectionless communication, it is fast but unreliable. The question was short and simple if you know the difference between connected and connectionless.
Remember connected is like the telephone ( there is a connection made) and connectionlesss is like the mail service, it will get there, you hope.
Know ODI and NDIS- something about compliant protocols on a network card, that was the wording used on the test.
Client /server
a raid question: the company wants a fault sytem, but wants to minimize cost, the choices were raid 5, raid 0, backup server, and disk duplexing. Disk duplexing seemed like the right answer but I got 60% in Implementation, so check.
A question, user level versus share level security. the company has 120 computers, with Windows 95 and Windows for Workgroups and has a problem with employee turnover.
User-level security with blah, blah, can't remember
share -level with passwords for resources.
And two more answers, the answer is user level etc.
unix or SNA or mainframe=a gateway
glance over everything a day or two before the exam to make sure you know your stuff, the wording of the questions makes you second guess yourself
3-5 questions about someone having a problem with gaining access to the network, booting their computer, was struggling to figure out on each occasion whether it was cable, network card, frame size etc.
a lot about frame size etc.
the question about the token Ring and the ethernet and why it took so long to copy a file
the answers were wrong protocols and wrong frame types, the right should have been the Token Ring is slower but I failed to see it.
The value of an IP address: the choices were node, socket, subnet mask and the answer is e) where did this question come from.
The problem with an Ethernet, I said transceiver, because that is usually the problem with Ethernets.
Your company moves into a new building, not staying long, no lease, which topology:
the answer is bus, I know this one is right.
x.25 question about the need for reliable delivery on an unreliable WAN, choose this because it has error checking.
Another weird question: something about a network problem and the answers were the UMB is conflicting with your network card and three other answers starting with an acronym I didn't understand.)(upper memory block)
Again, make sure you know where equipment lies on the OSI Model.
I had 2 long questions that involved linking 3 sites. One question had two T-1 links and a 28,800 modem linking the third. If the one of the T-1 links goes down, can a data transfer rate of 1Mbps be maintained? I said no, because the highest compressed rate 28,800 can support is 115,200 kbps. (Long question with options)
Question regarding what high level protocol supports NetBIOS. You had choices A-J, choose 1. I chose IPX/SPX, but Alex says it is SMB.
Not too many questions regarding protocols and where they lie or what they do.
2 questions regarding reduction of network traffic by 50%, but neither question offered ethernet switches as answers. One had reducing packets sizes and sliding the window sizes,and taking bridging off the brouter.
Troubleshooting questions:
The infamous ping: You ping the server, it pings you back. BUT when you request the server's name, it doesn't respond. Answers were something like this- the server name is not registered, your computer name is not registered, TCP/IP not configured correctly.
Configurations for 2 NICs on your network are identical, why can't they participate in the network? Base I/O conflict, IRQ conflict, incorrect frame type or MAC address conflict.
Two questions show exhibits that look very similar, one question showed incorrect grounding (grounded at both ends of a bus) and the other showed three terminators (can't have this). The question how do you resolve the problem in the picture? (it doesn't tell you what the problem is).
About three questions on troubleshooting questions, but not in a troubleshooting setting.
Things like what do you use to monitor hubs, computers, etc. SNMP, Network Monitor, Protocol Analyzer.
WAN technology- one question asked me you want to implement a WAN and you want to use full transfer speed? T1, ATM, Switched56, ISDN? I picked ATM, it goes the fastest.
Two questions on SLIP and PPP. Both addressed compression issues, so that ruled out SLIP right away.
Know your security levels- I had a question mixing Windows for Workgroups and Windows '95 with OTHER computers on a 80 LAN network with an average of 100 computers on each. What kind of security would you implement. No straight forward user-level or share-level.
This time I only had 8 long questions, I counted!!! My first 24 questions were short.
You might want to look at our NT Server binders that we were using last week, it helped with protocols, WINS, DNS and NTFS.
I had a similar exam to everyone else, but I'll give you some of the things that I remember.
-no questions on OSI model or what each level does
-you test your RG-58 cable and get the following readings:
end 0 to infinity
t-connector infinity
terminator 50
options
???
replace terminator with 75 ohm (wrong)
replace cable
replace t-connector
-question on what is included in a UNC
-know NDIS and ODI well. The way that they phrase the answers is not as straight forward as in the
transcender tests
-2 long questions on Netbios names. They wanted to make sure that the names they gave stayed unique when
they joined 2 LANs together. They also wanted names based on department, etc.
-1st solution was to give each computer a 15 character name, that's all ( I don't think that this would
do anything to ensure that the name would remain unique)
-2nd solution was to give each computer a name based on 8 characters for department, 5 based on the
users e-mail address, and 2 on something else. (I said that this will work)
-I had a couple of questions about upgrading a 10baseT to a 100baseT (only possible answer on my exam was to
upgrade the cable to cat. 5 UTP)
-I had the same 2 questions that everyone seems to get on connecting the 3 sites with T1 lines. The first
solution was to use 2 lines (this did both of the required elements of having each site being able to communicate
with the other 2, but not the optional result of having communication if 1 line went down) The second solution
was to use 3 lines (this did everything asked).
-probably 5-6 questions about bridges, routers etc.
-2-3 questions on WAN's. ATM was the only possible answer on my exam
-know the various reasons why a computer can't assess the Network (I/O problem, frame type, IRQ etc)
-2 cards set up exactly the same including MAC address, I/O address, IRQ etc. The question was why can't these 2 computers access the network. I said that they should change the MAC address back to the default one stamped into the card. ( I think that's right)
-know what RIP does
-a network uses Netbeui and wants to stop broadcasts storms. They also wanted minimal cost. The solution that I chose was to change to a routable protocol and take the bridging off the brouter. ( sounded good to me)
-I got lucky, I didn't have many questions on protocols, other than about what is routable.
-I found that going over the solutions on the transcender exam really helped me a lot. This was were I got a lot of my information from. There were quite a few questions taken right from these tests on my exam.
Not much to tell except for the following points:
Don't just memorize things ~ know the topics well ~ on the exam you will be given the answers in a format that you are not used to seeing NWLINK (IPX/SPX) ~ know it well. I only had maybe two questions that involved TCP/IP.
Make sure that you read the question thoroughly ~ don't rush yourself because you will miss a key part of the
question that will affect your answer
Go with your gut answer
a lot of gift questions about connectivity devices and where they fit in the OSI model my final point is to relax ~ you are all smart people and you will know your stuff
When I went in to write the exam, I was prompted to write a practise exam. I decided to, just to get a feel for the layout, and feel for the program. I spent 4 to 5 minutes doing this, and then began. I can't tell you much more than anybody else has. The exam has 58 q's, and you have 75 mins. to write.
I did have one question about hooking up to an IBM mainframe, using terminal emulation? -something I had never even heard of. The answer I
chose involved the use of a gateway.
There were many freebies on the exam. Most of them dealt with
1. Connectivity Devices
When to use routers, brouters, gateways, bridges, and
repeaters. Also where in the OSI model, these items work.
2. What does the T in 10baseT stand for? duh!
3. User level v. Share level security
The exam does make you think in how it is worded. I had a question dealing with NDIS/ODI where multiple protocol binding to the NIC card was NOT an option. Instead, it was worded more like:
NDIS provides the interface for compliant protocols to communicate with a compliant NIC card. Just try and follow the logic.
It was very evident that if you fully understood the material, you will have no problem passing the exam.
I did have a couple of questions dealing with sliding TCP windows, which
I hadn't really studied. In particular the effect on network traffic of doubling the size of sliding TCP windows sizes.
They also asked if I could reduce network traffic by 50% by upgrading from 10bT to 100bT and all related components ie. cables to cat. 5, NIC cards, hubs, and TCP window sizes. I said yes.
Be careful of the questions that ask for required and optional. There were a couple of occassions when the required actually had 2 or 3 criterion, however, they were all grouped together. The optional could have up to three different criterion. Nothing is numbered so you have to look for the blank lines when looking at different criterion.
As near as I can tell, this is the long and short of my exam experience.
I will be in the lab on Saturday and Sunday of this week if anyone has any questions. Best of luck! I know you can all pass.
- the only question that I can remember that really confused me was a NetBIOS nameing question. I had 2, and one wanted to know if using a 15 character hexidecimal number would work. I don't know if it uses hex, but I guesses and said it did. Check this out. The other one didn't use a full 15 character name for one part, so I said it was no good.
I had what were basically definition questions on the following:
- NDIS and ODI
- application and file & print servers
- client/server and peer-to-peer networks
- connections for cable types
- the mesh question
- noise, crosstalk
- transceiver, multiplexor
- repeater, bridge, router, gateway (what do they do, where on OSI)
- RIP
- nonroutable protocols (3 that I know of)
- access methods (CSMA/CD, CSMA/CA, token passing, polling)
- Performance Monitor, network analyser, SNMP, SMS
- security (share vs. user - which to use in a situation)
- UPS, RAID levels
- auditing
Some of the questions that I got were:
- different setups for linking sites with connections (T1, modems).
Can you achieve a certain speed and have redundancy.
- you want to view packets, what would you use
- problem with NAC cards on a network, what is it (MAC address are the same)
- you have problems with cable and they give volt/ohm meter readings for the cable, T-connector, and terminator.
- you want to reduce network traffic on an Ethernet network, what would you use (Ethernet switch, switch to ATM hardware, switch to FDDI, some other option with token passing) I said the E-switch due to the price of ATM hardware.
In general, I found that doing the unit reviews and the transcenders was EXTREMELY helpful. Take the transcenders and then know why they answered the way they did. I found many of the same questions on the actual exam.