South Carolina Network Administrator
Certification License Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. A network administrator is tasked with connecting multiple
departments within an organization using a Local Area Network (LAN).
Which device primarily operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model and
forwards frames based on MAC addresses to efficiently connect
devices within the LAN?
A. Router
B. Firewall
C. Switch
D. Gateway
Answer: C. Switch
Rationale: A switch operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model and forwards
Ethernet frames based on MAC address tables, allowing efficient
communication between devices within a LAN. Routers operate at Layer 3,
while firewalls and gateways serve different security or protocol
translation functions.
2. Which networking protocol is responsible for automatically assigning
IP addresses to devices on a network?
, A. DNS
B. DHCP
C. FTP
D. SNMP
Answer: B. DHCP
Rationale: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) automatically
assigns IP addresses and other network configuration parameters to
devices, enabling efficient network administration and preventing manual
configuration errors.
3. A network administrator must ensure secure remote access to the
corporate network over the internet. Which technology is most
appropriate for this purpose?
A. VLAN
B. VPN
C. NAT
D. ARP
Answer: B. VPN
Rationale: A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates an encrypted tunnel
between a remote device and the corporate network, ensuring
confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted over public networks.
4. In IPv4 addressing, what is the primary purpose of subnetting?
A. Increase internet speed
B. Reduce packet size
C. Divide a network into smaller logical segments
D. Encrypt network traffic
Answer: C. Divide a network into smaller logical segments
,Rationale: Subnetting divides a large network into smaller subnets to
improve routing efficiency, security, and network management by
controlling broadcast domains.
5. Which protocol translates domain names into IP addresses so that
computers can locate servers on the internet?
A. DNS
B. SMTP
C. POP3
D. SNMP
Answer: A. DNS
Rationale: The Domain Name System (DNS) converts human-readable
domain names into IP addresses so computers can locate resources on a
network or the internet.
6. Which network topology connects all devices to a central hub or
switch?
A. Mesh topology
B. Ring topology
C. Star topology
D. Bus topology
Answer: C. Star topology
Rationale: In a star topology, all network devices connect to a central
device such as a switch or hub, which simplifies management and
troubleshooting.
7. Which command-line utility is commonly used by administrators to
test network connectivity between two devices?
A. ipconfig
B. ping
, C. traceroute
D. nslookup
Answer: B. ping
Rationale: The ping utility sends ICMP echo request packets to another
host and measures the response time, allowing administrators to verify
network connectivity.
8. What is the primary function of a router in a computer network?
A. Assign IP addresses
B. Filter spam emails
C. Forward packets between different networks
D. Encrypt wireless signals
Answer: C. Forward packets between different networks
Rationale: Routers operate at Layer 3 of the OSI model and direct data
packets between different networks using IP addressing and routing tables.
9. Which protocol is primarily used to securely transfer files over a
network?
A. FTP
B. HTTP
C. SFTP
D. Telnet
Answer: C. SFTP
Rationale: Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) encrypts file transfers using
SSH, ensuring confidentiality and integrity of transmitted files.
10. A network administrator is configuring a device to use IPv4
addressing. Which address class provides the largest number of hosts
per network?
A. Class A
Certification License Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. A network administrator is tasked with connecting multiple
departments within an organization using a Local Area Network (LAN).
Which device primarily operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model and
forwards frames based on MAC addresses to efficiently connect
devices within the LAN?
A. Router
B. Firewall
C. Switch
D. Gateway
Answer: C. Switch
Rationale: A switch operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model and forwards
Ethernet frames based on MAC address tables, allowing efficient
communication between devices within a LAN. Routers operate at Layer 3,
while firewalls and gateways serve different security or protocol
translation functions.
2. Which networking protocol is responsible for automatically assigning
IP addresses to devices on a network?
, A. DNS
B. DHCP
C. FTP
D. SNMP
Answer: B. DHCP
Rationale: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) automatically
assigns IP addresses and other network configuration parameters to
devices, enabling efficient network administration and preventing manual
configuration errors.
3. A network administrator must ensure secure remote access to the
corporate network over the internet. Which technology is most
appropriate for this purpose?
A. VLAN
B. VPN
C. NAT
D. ARP
Answer: B. VPN
Rationale: A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates an encrypted tunnel
between a remote device and the corporate network, ensuring
confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted over public networks.
4. In IPv4 addressing, what is the primary purpose of subnetting?
A. Increase internet speed
B. Reduce packet size
C. Divide a network into smaller logical segments
D. Encrypt network traffic
Answer: C. Divide a network into smaller logical segments
,Rationale: Subnetting divides a large network into smaller subnets to
improve routing efficiency, security, and network management by
controlling broadcast domains.
5. Which protocol translates domain names into IP addresses so that
computers can locate servers on the internet?
A. DNS
B. SMTP
C. POP3
D. SNMP
Answer: A. DNS
Rationale: The Domain Name System (DNS) converts human-readable
domain names into IP addresses so computers can locate resources on a
network or the internet.
6. Which network topology connects all devices to a central hub or
switch?
A. Mesh topology
B. Ring topology
C. Star topology
D. Bus topology
Answer: C. Star topology
Rationale: In a star topology, all network devices connect to a central
device such as a switch or hub, which simplifies management and
troubleshooting.
7. Which command-line utility is commonly used by administrators to
test network connectivity between two devices?
A. ipconfig
B. ping
, C. traceroute
D. nslookup
Answer: B. ping
Rationale: The ping utility sends ICMP echo request packets to another
host and measures the response time, allowing administrators to verify
network connectivity.
8. What is the primary function of a router in a computer network?
A. Assign IP addresses
B. Filter spam emails
C. Forward packets between different networks
D. Encrypt wireless signals
Answer: C. Forward packets between different networks
Rationale: Routers operate at Layer 3 of the OSI model and direct data
packets between different networks using IP addressing and routing tables.
9. Which protocol is primarily used to securely transfer files over a
network?
A. FTP
B. HTTP
C. SFTP
D. Telnet
Answer: C. SFTP
Rationale: Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) encrypts file transfers using
SSH, ensuring confidentiality and integrity of transmitted files.
10. A network administrator is configuring a device to use IPv4
addressing. Which address class provides the largest number of hosts
per network?
A. Class A
