Solution and Answer Guide: Tomsho, Guide to Networking Essentials 9798214012667, Chapter 1: Introduction to Computer
Networks
Solution and Answer Guide
Tomsho, Guide to Networking Essentials 9798214012667, Chapter 1:
Introduction to Computer Networks
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Review Questions Answers .................................................................................................. 1
Hands-On Project Solutions ................................................................................................ 9
Project 1-1 Examining a Computer’s Boot Procedure ....................................................... 9
Project 1-2 Upgrading a Stand-alone Computer to a Networked Computer ............ 11
Project 1-3 Viewing Network Software Layers ...................................................................12
Project 1-4 Using ipconfig, ping, and arp...............................................................................13
Project 1-5 Exploring Peer-to-Peer Networking ............................................................... 16
Project 1-6 Creating a Shared Folder ................................................................................... 18
Project 1-7 Transferring a Document to Another Computer......................................... 20
Project 1-8 Looking Up Computer and Networking Acronyms.................................... 20
Case Projects .......................................................................................................................21
Case Project 1-1 ...........................................................................................................................21
Case Project 1-2 ......................................................................................................................... 22
Case Project 1-3 ......................................................................................................................... 22
Case Project 1-4 ......................................................................................................................... 22
REVIEW QUESTIONS ANSWERS
1. Which of the following are one of the three basic functions a computer performs?
(Choose three.)
a. Processing
b. Internet access
c. Input
d. Graphics
e. Output
f. E-mail
Answer: a. Processing
c. Input
e. Output
© 2026 1
,Solution and Answer Guide: Tomsho, Guide to Networking Essentials 9798214012667, Chapter 1: Introduction to Computer
Networks
Explanation: The three basic functions of a computer are input, processing, and
output. All tasks carried out by a computer are some combination of these three
basic functions.
2. Which computer component executes instructions provided by computer programs?
a. CPU
b. NIC
c. Hard drive
d. USB
Answer: a. CPU
Explanation: The central processing unit (CPU) is the main processing component
of a computer and one of its primary tasks is to execute instructions provided by
computer programs.
3. What do you call each of the processors inside a CPU?
a. I/O
b. Core
c. OS
d. Flash
Answer: b. Core
Explanation: CPUs are usually composed of two or more processors, called cores,
in one package. Multicore CPUs enable computers to carry out multiple
instructions simultaneously, which results in better overall performance when
running demanding applications.
4. Which of the following is considered long-term storage? (Choose two.)
a. USB or flash drive
b. RAM
c. volatile memory
d. Hard drive
Answer: a. USB or flash drive
d. Hard drive
Explanation: Long-term storage, also called non-volatile memory, is computer data
storage that retains the data when power is turned off to the device. Flash drives
and hard drives retain their data when power is turned off; RAM, which is volatile
memory, does not.
5. Which motherboard component controls data transfers between memory, expansion
slots, I/O devices, and the CPU?
a. Drive controller
b. CMOS
c. Chipset
d. PCI Express
Answer: c. Chipset
Explanation: The chipset consists of two chips referred to as the northbridge and
the southbridge. These chips control data transfers between memory, expansion
slots, I/O devices, and the CPU.
© 2026 2
,Solution and Answer Guide: Tomsho, Guide to Networking Essentials 9798214012667, Chapter 1: Introduction to Computer
Networks
6. You want to purchase a high-performance graphics card for your computer. Which
type of connector should it have?
a. PCI
b. SATA
c. IDE
d. PCI Express
Answer: d. PCI Express
Explanation: The PCI Express, Peripheral Component Interconnect Express, is a bus
expansion slot. The larger slots provide ample bandwidth to support a high-
performance graphic card.
7. What is the term for the time it takes for read/write heads to move to the correct spot
on the hard disk platter?
a. Rotational delay
b. Seek time
c. Transfer time
d. Access time
Answer: b. Seek time
Explanation: The amount of time required to move read/write heads to the correct
place is the seek time, and the time it takes to read or write data is the transfer
time. The average amount of time between the request to read or write data and
the time the action is performed is the access time. The average amount of time
platters take to spin into position is called the rotational delay.
8. Which of the following is a task usually performed by the firmware? (Choose two.)
a. Perform a POST.
b. Create an interrupt.
c. Store the operating system.
d. Begin the boot procedure.
Answer: a. Perform a POST.
d. Begin the boot procedure.
Explanation: Long-term storage, also called non-volatile memory, is computer data
storage that retains the data when power is turned off to the device. Flash drives
and hard drives retain their data when power is turned off; RAM, which is volatile
memory, does not.
9. Which of the following is the correct order of the steps of the boot procedure?
1. The OS is loaded into RAM.
2. CPU starts.
3. OS services are started.
4. Power is applied.
5. The POST is executed.
6. Boot devices are searched.
a. 2, 4, 6, 1, 3, 5
b. 1, 5, 2, 4, 3, 6
c. 4, 2, 5, 6, 1, 3
d. 5, 4, 1, 3, 2, 6
© 2026 3
, Solution and Answer Guide: Tomsho, Guide to Networking Essentials 9798214012667, Chapter 1: Introduction to Computer
Networks
Answer: c. 4, 2, 5, 6, 1, 3
Explanation: To take a computer from a powered-off state to booting and running
an OS, such as Windows or Linux, the following steps must take place:
1. Power is applied to the motherboard.
2. The CPU starts.
3. The CPU carries out the firmware startup routines, including the POST.
4. Boot devices, as specified in the firmware configuration, are searched for in an
OS.
5. The OS is loaded into RAM.
6. OS services are started.
10. You have just installed a new NIC in your PC to replace the old one that had started
malfunctioning. What additional software must be installed to allow the OS to
communicate with the new NIC?
a. Network application
b. Device driver
c. BIOS
d. Protocol
Answer: b. Device driver
Explanation: Every NIC installed in a computer must have an associated device
driver installed in the OS. The device driver software manages the details of
communicating with the NIC hardware to send and receive data to and from
network media.
11. Which of the following requests information stored on another computer?
a. NIC
b. Network client
c. Network server
d. Network protocol
e. Device driver
Answer: b. Network client
Explanation: Network client software requests information that’s stored on
another network computer or device. Network server software allows a computer
to share its resources by fielding resource requests generated by network clients.
When clients and servers need to send information on the network, they must
pass it to network protocols, which define the rules and formats a computer must
use when sending information across the network. NIC drivers receive data from
protocols and then forward this data to the physical NIC, which transmits data
onto the medium.
© 2026 4
Networks
Solution and Answer Guide
Tomsho, Guide to Networking Essentials 9798214012667, Chapter 1:
Introduction to Computer Networks
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Review Questions Answers .................................................................................................. 1
Hands-On Project Solutions ................................................................................................ 9
Project 1-1 Examining a Computer’s Boot Procedure ....................................................... 9
Project 1-2 Upgrading a Stand-alone Computer to a Networked Computer ............ 11
Project 1-3 Viewing Network Software Layers ...................................................................12
Project 1-4 Using ipconfig, ping, and arp...............................................................................13
Project 1-5 Exploring Peer-to-Peer Networking ............................................................... 16
Project 1-6 Creating a Shared Folder ................................................................................... 18
Project 1-7 Transferring a Document to Another Computer......................................... 20
Project 1-8 Looking Up Computer and Networking Acronyms.................................... 20
Case Projects .......................................................................................................................21
Case Project 1-1 ...........................................................................................................................21
Case Project 1-2 ......................................................................................................................... 22
Case Project 1-3 ......................................................................................................................... 22
Case Project 1-4 ......................................................................................................................... 22
REVIEW QUESTIONS ANSWERS
1. Which of the following are one of the three basic functions a computer performs?
(Choose three.)
a. Processing
b. Internet access
c. Input
d. Graphics
e. Output
f. E-mail
Answer: a. Processing
c. Input
e. Output
© 2026 1
,Solution and Answer Guide: Tomsho, Guide to Networking Essentials 9798214012667, Chapter 1: Introduction to Computer
Networks
Explanation: The three basic functions of a computer are input, processing, and
output. All tasks carried out by a computer are some combination of these three
basic functions.
2. Which computer component executes instructions provided by computer programs?
a. CPU
b. NIC
c. Hard drive
d. USB
Answer: a. CPU
Explanation: The central processing unit (CPU) is the main processing component
of a computer and one of its primary tasks is to execute instructions provided by
computer programs.
3. What do you call each of the processors inside a CPU?
a. I/O
b. Core
c. OS
d. Flash
Answer: b. Core
Explanation: CPUs are usually composed of two or more processors, called cores,
in one package. Multicore CPUs enable computers to carry out multiple
instructions simultaneously, which results in better overall performance when
running demanding applications.
4. Which of the following is considered long-term storage? (Choose two.)
a. USB or flash drive
b. RAM
c. volatile memory
d. Hard drive
Answer: a. USB or flash drive
d. Hard drive
Explanation: Long-term storage, also called non-volatile memory, is computer data
storage that retains the data when power is turned off to the device. Flash drives
and hard drives retain their data when power is turned off; RAM, which is volatile
memory, does not.
5. Which motherboard component controls data transfers between memory, expansion
slots, I/O devices, and the CPU?
a. Drive controller
b. CMOS
c. Chipset
d. PCI Express
Answer: c. Chipset
Explanation: The chipset consists of two chips referred to as the northbridge and
the southbridge. These chips control data transfers between memory, expansion
slots, I/O devices, and the CPU.
© 2026 2
,Solution and Answer Guide: Tomsho, Guide to Networking Essentials 9798214012667, Chapter 1: Introduction to Computer
Networks
6. You want to purchase a high-performance graphics card for your computer. Which
type of connector should it have?
a. PCI
b. SATA
c. IDE
d. PCI Express
Answer: d. PCI Express
Explanation: The PCI Express, Peripheral Component Interconnect Express, is a bus
expansion slot. The larger slots provide ample bandwidth to support a high-
performance graphic card.
7. What is the term for the time it takes for read/write heads to move to the correct spot
on the hard disk platter?
a. Rotational delay
b. Seek time
c. Transfer time
d. Access time
Answer: b. Seek time
Explanation: The amount of time required to move read/write heads to the correct
place is the seek time, and the time it takes to read or write data is the transfer
time. The average amount of time between the request to read or write data and
the time the action is performed is the access time. The average amount of time
platters take to spin into position is called the rotational delay.
8. Which of the following is a task usually performed by the firmware? (Choose two.)
a. Perform a POST.
b. Create an interrupt.
c. Store the operating system.
d. Begin the boot procedure.
Answer: a. Perform a POST.
d. Begin the boot procedure.
Explanation: Long-term storage, also called non-volatile memory, is computer data
storage that retains the data when power is turned off to the device. Flash drives
and hard drives retain their data when power is turned off; RAM, which is volatile
memory, does not.
9. Which of the following is the correct order of the steps of the boot procedure?
1. The OS is loaded into RAM.
2. CPU starts.
3. OS services are started.
4. Power is applied.
5. The POST is executed.
6. Boot devices are searched.
a. 2, 4, 6, 1, 3, 5
b. 1, 5, 2, 4, 3, 6
c. 4, 2, 5, 6, 1, 3
d. 5, 4, 1, 3, 2, 6
© 2026 3
, Solution and Answer Guide: Tomsho, Guide to Networking Essentials 9798214012667, Chapter 1: Introduction to Computer
Networks
Answer: c. 4, 2, 5, 6, 1, 3
Explanation: To take a computer from a powered-off state to booting and running
an OS, such as Windows or Linux, the following steps must take place:
1. Power is applied to the motherboard.
2. The CPU starts.
3. The CPU carries out the firmware startup routines, including the POST.
4. Boot devices, as specified in the firmware configuration, are searched for in an
OS.
5. The OS is loaded into RAM.
6. OS services are started.
10. You have just installed a new NIC in your PC to replace the old one that had started
malfunctioning. What additional software must be installed to allow the OS to
communicate with the new NIC?
a. Network application
b. Device driver
c. BIOS
d. Protocol
Answer: b. Device driver
Explanation: Every NIC installed in a computer must have an associated device
driver installed in the OS. The device driver software manages the details of
communicating with the NIC hardware to send and receive data to and from
network media.
11. Which of the following requests information stored on another computer?
a. NIC
b. Network client
c. Network server
d. Network protocol
e. Device driver
Answer: b. Network client
Explanation: Network client software requests information that’s stored on
another network computer or device. Network server software allows a computer
to share its resources by fielding resource requests generated by network clients.
When clients and servers need to send information on the network, they must
pass it to network protocols, which define the rules and formats a computer must
use when sending information across the network. NIC drivers receive data from
protocols and then forward this data to the physical NIC, which transmits data
onto the medium.
© 2026 4
