Guide Exam Questions & Verified
The WGU C172 Network and Security - Foundations; PA and OA set (233 Questions) is a
comprehensive study guide mapping core concepts from the Pre-Assessment
(PA) and Objective Assessment (OA). It heavily targets foundational network
architectures, troubleshooting commands, the OSI model, and critical security frameworks.
Core Networking Topologies & Basics
• LAN (Local Area Network): Interconnects users and shared computer resources
within a limited, localized geographic area.
• Protocol vs. Topology: Protocols are the established rules for exchanging
information; topologies are the architectures used to physically or logically
interconnect equipment.
• Star Topology: Connects all devices via twisted-pair cabling to a central hub or
switch. It allows quick device removal or addition without interrupting the rest of
the network.
• Mesh Topology: Features fully redundant network data paths. It provides
maximum reliability but drastically increases cabling and hardware costs.
• Token Ring / Deterministic Network: A layout where each station is
guaranteed channel access for data transmission at regular, fixed time intervals using
a circulating token.
Key Network Troubleshooting Commands
• ping: Sends ICMP echo requests to a remote host to test end-to-end connectivity
and measure latency.
• tracert / traceroute: Displays the step-by-step hop path and IP addresses that a
packet traverses to its destination.
1
, • ipconfig (Windows) / ifconfig (Linux): Reveals the active system IP configuration,
including the subnet mask and default gateway.
• netstat: Lists active network connections, routing tables, and interface statistics to
help catch suspicious or unauthorized active sessions.
• nslookup: Used to query DNS servers to resolve hostnames to IP addresses.
Quiz_________________?
802.11a standard operates at what GHz? -
ANSWER✅
5 GHz
Quiz_________________?
A 4 byte CRC value used for error detection -
ANSWER✅
The frame check sequence of the Ethernet packet frame
Quiz_________________?
A binary 8 bit sequence of 10101011 that indicates the start of the frame -
ANSWER✅
The start frame delimiter of an Ethernet packet
Quiz_________________?
a cable that has cross-connected TX/RX data lines -
ANSWER✅
crossover
2
, Quiz_________________?
A carrier sense multiple access with collision detection protocol for local area networks -
ANSWER✅
Ethernet
Quiz_________________?
A deterministic network -
ANSWER✅
Token Ring Topology
Quiz_________________?
a device that is used to make a broadband connection from your home network to the ISP
using the telephone line -
ANSWER✅
DSL modem
Quiz_________________?
a device that is used to make a broadband network connection from your home network to
the ISP using your cable connection. -
ANSWER✅
cable modem
Quiz_________________?
3
, A device that manages the passing of the token instead of relying on individual computers to
pass it. -
ANSWER✅
Token ring hub
Quiz_________________?
a device that relays the wireless signals from an access point or wireless router into areas
with a weak signal or no signal at all -
ANSWER✅
range extender
Quiz_________________?
A device used to interconnect wireless devices and provide a connection to the wired LAN.
-
ANSWER✅
Access point
Quiz_________________?
A device used to interconnect wireless networking devices and to give access to wired
devices, and establish the broadband internet connection to the ISP -
ANSWER✅
wireless router
Quiz_________________?
A device used to provide high speed data access via your cable connection or via a
telephone company's DSL connection -
4
The WGU C172 Network and Security - Foundations; PA and OA set (233 Questions) is a
comprehensive study guide mapping core concepts from the Pre-Assessment
(PA) and Objective Assessment (OA). It heavily targets foundational network
architectures, troubleshooting commands, the OSI model, and critical security frameworks.
Core Networking Topologies & Basics
• LAN (Local Area Network): Interconnects users and shared computer resources
within a limited, localized geographic area.
• Protocol vs. Topology: Protocols are the established rules for exchanging
information; topologies are the architectures used to physically or logically
interconnect equipment.
• Star Topology: Connects all devices via twisted-pair cabling to a central hub or
switch. It allows quick device removal or addition without interrupting the rest of
the network.
• Mesh Topology: Features fully redundant network data paths. It provides
maximum reliability but drastically increases cabling and hardware costs.
• Token Ring / Deterministic Network: A layout where each station is
guaranteed channel access for data transmission at regular, fixed time intervals using
a circulating token.
Key Network Troubleshooting Commands
• ping: Sends ICMP echo requests to a remote host to test end-to-end connectivity
and measure latency.
• tracert / traceroute: Displays the step-by-step hop path and IP addresses that a
packet traverses to its destination.
1
, • ipconfig (Windows) / ifconfig (Linux): Reveals the active system IP configuration,
including the subnet mask and default gateway.
• netstat: Lists active network connections, routing tables, and interface statistics to
help catch suspicious or unauthorized active sessions.
• nslookup: Used to query DNS servers to resolve hostnames to IP addresses.
Quiz_________________?
802.11a standard operates at what GHz? -
ANSWER✅
5 GHz
Quiz_________________?
A 4 byte CRC value used for error detection -
ANSWER✅
The frame check sequence of the Ethernet packet frame
Quiz_________________?
A binary 8 bit sequence of 10101011 that indicates the start of the frame -
ANSWER✅
The start frame delimiter of an Ethernet packet
Quiz_________________?
a cable that has cross-connected TX/RX data lines -
ANSWER✅
crossover
2
, Quiz_________________?
A carrier sense multiple access with collision detection protocol for local area networks -
ANSWER✅
Ethernet
Quiz_________________?
A deterministic network -
ANSWER✅
Token Ring Topology
Quiz_________________?
a device that is used to make a broadband connection from your home network to the ISP
using the telephone line -
ANSWER✅
DSL modem
Quiz_________________?
a device that is used to make a broadband network connection from your home network to
the ISP using your cable connection. -
ANSWER✅
cable modem
Quiz_________________?
3
, A device that manages the passing of the token instead of relying on individual computers to
pass it. -
ANSWER✅
Token ring hub
Quiz_________________?
a device that relays the wireless signals from an access point or wireless router into areas
with a weak signal or no signal at all -
ANSWER✅
range extender
Quiz_________________?
A device used to interconnect wireless devices and provide a connection to the wired LAN.
-
ANSWER✅
Access point
Quiz_________________?
A device used to interconnect wireless networking devices and to give access to wired
devices, and establish the broadband internet connection to the ISP -
ANSWER✅
wireless router
Quiz_________________?
A device used to provide high speed data access via your cable connection or via a
telephone company's DSL connection -
4
