Subject: MCSE brain dump 70-58
Date sent: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 21:10:18 -0500
I passed the networking essentials exam today (98.2). Here is a brain dump of what I remember - things you need to know!
Be very familiar with connectivity devices (software or hardware), and their capabilities. For example, repeaters are used at the physical layer, protocol independent, solves attenuation. There were in all about 6 questions on connectivity devices and their capabilities.
The differences between share-level and user-level security. Share-level is usually peer-to-peer, User-level is server based.
Two question on T1 lines, both based on the same scenario with two different solutions.
Scenario:
You have three networks to connect. Required - Links must be able to supply 1Mbps bits across the WAN.
Optional - keep the network running if one of the links fail. The network must provide 1Mbps if one link fails.
One solution used two T1 lines between 3 networks. The other solution used 3 T1 links.
Know the purpose of NDIS and ODI specifications. Namely, that different protocols can be bound to one network card driver.
Had one question on UNC (universal naming convention). Just remember: \\Computername\sharename
One question on connection-oriented session. It provides for reliable transport of packets.
PPP and SLIP are both dial-up communication protocols.
1 question on crosstalk, refers to signal overflow from adjacent wires.
Cable, cable, cable! Must know the capabilities of each type. About four questions cable. (??? - one question asked about using RG58/U with RG58/AU and there were intermittent problems. I guessed on this one. Does anyone know for sure?) If you want 100Mbps then you must use UTP5 or Fiber optic.
Know which protocols are routable - a must! (NetBEUI is a Transport protocol and is NOT routable. You can use a bridge though to segment traffic.)
Use gateways to translate different communication protocols. There were two questions about gateways. Know when they should be used.
ATM - advanced packet switching technology; use for simultaneous transmission of voice, data, video at speeds over 100Mbps. I was surprised to find 2 questions on this technology.
Which WAN technology is intended to replace analog phone lines? ISDN.
RIP - one question. Used to find route with least number of hops.
Know the difference between peer-to-peer and server based networks.
Know the different fault tolerance RAID levels. Two questions asked dealt with levels 1 and 5 on my test.
If there is sensitive data on the network, user-level is better than share-level.
Routers do not transmit broadcast messages.
IRQ settings - a must! At least 2 questions on conflicting IRQs. I remember it this way using the numbers 5 and 7: COM(1,2)+IRQ(4,3)=5, LPT(1=IRQ7)
LPT(2+5=7), don't use IRQ 1,2,8,9. If all else fells, IRQ 10 is usually safe for the nic.
Installing and troubleshooting network adapter cards. If you are sure the IRQ setting is correct, then check the frame type if using IPX protocol.
IPX can not determine frame type automatically (why?, I dunno).
If ONLY one client machine cannot access the network, then the problem is in the client machine, e.g. wrong transceiver setting, frame type, or IRQ.
To resolve broadcast storms, use routers. One question asked about brouters (hint - turn off the bridging feature on brouters to resolve storms).
Know the uses of a network protocol analyzer. I had 2 questions on it.
Two questions on how to interpret readings on a volt/ohm meter. Terminators should always show 50 ohms. The cable itself should show infinity between the core and shield wire. T-connectors should show infinity.
One question asked about two network cards that had the same MAC address.
Neither card could communicate with the network. I could not figure this on out. I chose "reset cards to their factory settings". Anyone know?
Final notes: There were several scenario type questions (about 12). If you know your cabling, connectivity devices, WAN links, and protocol capabilities you should do well. Just be sure to read very, very carefully the proposed solution. I found that only two questions rated an "A" (solution produces the required result and both the optional results). Two questions rated "D" (solution did not produce the required result). All the rest were B or C. I did not see any question that had a trick answer.
Just read the questions carefully, note what they are asking for. Some questions appear to be subjective, e.g. which upgrade for the network is the cheapest solution? Software upgrades are usually cheaper that hardware upgrades, but not if it doesn't produce the required result!
If anyone sees any flaws in the above answers, please let me know. I did miss one troubleshooting question, but I don't know which one.
Nathan