Practice Questions that you may use for Revision

1. What is an end-to-end VLAN? Briefly describe some of the characteristics

and possible problems with an end-to-end VLAN.
2. What is a local VLAN? Briefly describe some of the characteristics of a local
VLAN
3. Switch ports may be assigned to VLANs either statically or dynamically.
Briefly describe the differences, advantages and disadvantages of each
method.
4. Briefly describe the purpose and operation of Dynamic Trunking Protocol
(DTP). What is regarded as “best practice” with respect to interface settings
for DTP?
5. Explain the purpose of VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP)
6. A switch may operate in one of three VTP modes. List these modes. Discuss
significant differences between these modes.
7. Explain the purpose of the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP).
8. Outline the process by which Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) converts a
network containing loops into a loop-free network.
9. The operation of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) requires the election of a root
bridge. Explain the method by which the root bridge is chosen.
10. In a switched network, each switch has a bridge ID (BID), which is
instrumental in the root bridge election process. What elements compose the
BID? How can the network administrator influence the root bridge election?
Why would the administrator want to do so anyway?
11. For the operation of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), ports employed in
interswitch links may take up or pass through several of four states (also called
roles). Name these states, and briefly describe what the port is doing in each
of these states.
12. In a switched network, one of the functions of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)
is to find a least-cost path from a switch to the root bridge. How is the cost
determined? Can an administrator modify the default cost? List the default
costs most recently recommended by the IEEE.
13. The original Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) created a single tree for each and
every VLAN in a switched network. Per-VLAN Spanning Tree (PVST) and
Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol were later developments. Briefly discuss
advantages and disadvantages of STP, PVST and MSTP.
14. Inter-VLAN communication can be achieved by use of a router. This has both
advantages and disadvantages. Briefly discuss the advantages and
disadvantages.
15. A Layer 3 switch may handle an incoming frame by either performing Layer 2
switching or Layer 3 routing. Briefly explain how the switch decides between
Layer 2 and 3 processing for an incoming frame.
16. In configuring frame encapsulation for trunk ports, most administrators prefer
to use IEEE 802.1Q, rather than ISL. Briefly suggest reasons for this
preference.
17. Briefly describe what is meant by the term switch virtual interface (SVI).
18. An administrator may configure one or more switch virtual interfaces (SVI) on
a switch. Give several reasons why the administrator might do this.

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19. A multilayer switch may be configured with one or more routed ports. What
is a routed port? What configuration command is required to convert a port
into a routed port?
20. Briefly describe the purpose and operation of Hot Standby Router Protocol
(HSRP).
21. Briefly describe the purpose of configuring multiple HSRP groups is a LAN
segment.
22. Compare the similarities and differences between Hot Standby Router
Protocol (HSRP) and Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP).
23. Briefly describe the main functions of Gateway Load Balancing Protocol
(GLBP).
24. Briefly describe the main features of Gateway Load Balancing Protocol
(GLBP).
25. Briefly describe the evolution of wireless LAN standards from 802.11 through
802.11a, b, and g).
26. Describe and contrast the following wireless LAN topologies: Independent
Basic Service Set (IBSS), Infrastructure Basic Service Set and Infrastructure
Extended Service Set
27. What are some of the factors that influence the transmission of radio waves
and which may make reception error-prone?
28. In the context of wireless LAN security, what is wrong with WEP? What has
replaced WEP?
29. Describe some of the benefits of packet telephony versus circuit-switched
telephony.
30. Describe some of the requirements that must be met for acceptable quality of
service for voice over IP.
31. Compare and contrast voice and data traffic characteristics.