CompTIA Network+ N10-009 Release Date

The customer can access local resources (a database server), which means local networking is working. However, the inability to reach the internet suggests an issue with the default gateway. If the default gateway is unreachable, packets will not be routed outside the local network.

Breakdown of Options:

A. Incorrect DNS – DNS issues would cause problems resolving domain names, but the user should still be able to access external resources via IP addresses.

B. Unreachable gateway – ✅ Correct answer. If the default gateway is incorrect or unreachable, the device cannot route traffic to the internet.

C. Failed root bridge – STP (Spanning Tree Protocol) failures cause switching issues, but the user can still access local devices, meaning STP is not the problem.

D. Poor upstream routing – Would affect the entire network, not just one user.

Packet Capture: This method captures and inspects network traffic to identify unauthorized downloads or malicious behavior. It provides detailed insight into the data being transmitted, making it the best tool for this scenario.

Anomaly alerts (A): Alerts may indicate unusual activity but do not provide detailed traffic analysis.

Port mirroring (B): Port mirroring can redirect traffic for analysis but requires a packet capture tool for deeper inspection.

Performance monitoring (C): Focuses on system performance metrics, not detailed traffic content.

Full duplex mode allows devices to send and receive data simultaneously, improving network performance and reducing congestion, which is critical for VoIP and video conferencing.

Breakdown of Options:

A. A VLAN with 100Mbps speed limits – VLANs segment traffic but limiting speeds to 100Mbps would worsen video performance.

B. An IP helper to direct VoIP traffic – IP helper is used for DHCP relay, not for VoIP optimization.

C. A smaller subnet mask – A smaller subnet reduces IP address availability but does not improve network performance.

D. Full duplex on all user ports – Correct answer. Full duplex eliminates collisions, allowing better VoIP and video performance.

Band steering is a feature in wireless networks that encourages dual-band capable devices to connect to the 5GHz band instead of the 2.4GHz band.

Why Band Steering?

The 5GHz band supports higher speeds and less interference compared to 2.4GHz.

If a device supports both bands, the access point (AP) can "steer" it to connect to 5GHz instead of 2.4GHz.

This helps ensure users always connect to the fastest available network.

Incorrect Options:

B. Disabling the 5GHz SSID: Would force devices onto 2.4GHz, which is slower and more congested.

C. Adding a Captive Portal: Used for guest authentication, not for speed optimization.

D. Configuring MAC Filtering: Used for security, not for optimizing network speed.