INTRODUCTION TO NETWORKING CONCEPTS
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔Non-Plenum Rated Cables - ✔✔Riser cables used in non-plenum areas, these are
insulated with materials like PVC and are less fire resisttant than plenum cables. Mores
cost effective and suitable for residential and less restrictive areas.
✔✔Direct Bury Cables - ✔✔Made for heavy-duty environments, these cables are
designed for underground use.
✔✔T568A and T568B Wiring Standards - ✔✔Wiring standards for twisted pair cables,
as defined by the Telecommunications Industry Association, specify the arrangement of
wires for RJ-45 Connectors and are used to create straight-through and crossover
cables for Ethernet networks
✔✔T568A Pinout (Alternate) - ✔✔White Green, Green, White Orange, Blue, White Blue,
Orange, White Brown, Brown.
Green pair on pins 1 and 2
Orange on 3 and 6
Most common in government installations or mandated contracts
✔✔T568B Pinout (Business) - ✔✔White orange, orange, White Green, Blue, White
Blue, Green, White Brown, Brown.
Orange on pins 1 and 2
Green on pins 3 and 6
✔✔Straight-Through Cable - ✔✔A twisted pair cable in which the wire terminations on
both ends match. Used to connect different types of devices, like a DTE to a DCE. The
transmit pins align with the receive pins
Ex: Computers to switches, Router to modems, Switch to routers.
✔✔Crossover Cable - ✔✔A twisted pair cable in which the wire terminations on both
ends are different. Used to connect similar types of devices (DTE to DTE or DCE to
DCE). Transmit pins connect to receive pins on the other device.
Ex: Computer to computer, switch to switch, router to router.
✔✔Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) - ✔✔Source or destination of data in a
communication network, like a printer, computer, or router.
, ✔✔Data Communications Equipment (DCE) - ✔✔Establishes, maintains, and
terminates communication links, such as a modem, network switch, or CSU/DSUs
✔✔Optical Cabling - ✔✔Optical Cabling, AKA fiber-optic cables, use light to transmit
data through thin strands of glass or plastic (up to petabits per second); this makes
them immune to electromagnetic interference. It is capable of long-distance
transmissions with minimal signal loss and even supports intercontinental connections.
However, due to their materials and the difficulty of installation, optical cabling is 5-10
times more expensive than copper. It requires tools and expertise.
✔✔Single-mode fiber (SMF) vs Multi-Mode Fiber (MMF) - ✔✔SMF: Typically seen in a
yellow sheath, the narrow core (8.3-10 microns) SMF allows one beam of light to travel
in a straight path. It's ideal for long distances and is often used for infrastructure projects
like internet service and long-haul telecom lines.
MMF: Has a larger core (50-100 microns) and allows multiple beams of light to bounce
within the cable. It's suitable for shorter distances and commonly used for patch cables
in data centers. The aqua or orange cables are less effective for long distances.
✔✔Fiber Optic Connectors - ✔✔SC: Subscriber Connector, aka the square or standard
connector, has a "stick and click" mechanism and two cables, allowing both
transmission and receiving
ST: Straight Tip Connector has an older design with a "stick and twist" mechanism and
needs separate transmit and receive cables
LC: is a smaller version of the SC, has a stick and click mechanism, but is known for
always being coupled with the transmit and receive being side by side.
MTRJ: has a compact design with transmit and receive pins in a single connector. It's
half the size of SC, ST, or LC and allows for high-density fiber port configurations.
✔✔Coaxial Cabling - ✔✔Cabling in which the copper wire is insulated, then wrapped
with a braided shielding material, then covered with a protective outer sheath. Resistant
to EMI. A legacy technology, really, twisted pair and fiber optics have taken their place.
✔✔Types of Coaxial Cables - ✔✔RG-6: A coaxial cable used by cable modems to bring
internet and TV services into a home
RG-59: Standard coax cable used to carry composite video between devices and wall
outlets
TwinAxiel Cable: Contains two inner conductors for high-speed, short-range
connections. With a maximum of 7 meters and 10Gbps, it's useful for connecting
servers, switches, or storage devices.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔Non-Plenum Rated Cables - ✔✔Riser cables used in non-plenum areas, these are
insulated with materials like PVC and are less fire resisttant than plenum cables. Mores
cost effective and suitable for residential and less restrictive areas.
✔✔Direct Bury Cables - ✔✔Made for heavy-duty environments, these cables are
designed for underground use.
✔✔T568A and T568B Wiring Standards - ✔✔Wiring standards for twisted pair cables,
as defined by the Telecommunications Industry Association, specify the arrangement of
wires for RJ-45 Connectors and are used to create straight-through and crossover
cables for Ethernet networks
✔✔T568A Pinout (Alternate) - ✔✔White Green, Green, White Orange, Blue, White Blue,
Orange, White Brown, Brown.
Green pair on pins 1 and 2
Orange on 3 and 6
Most common in government installations or mandated contracts
✔✔T568B Pinout (Business) - ✔✔White orange, orange, White Green, Blue, White
Blue, Green, White Brown, Brown.
Orange on pins 1 and 2
Green on pins 3 and 6
✔✔Straight-Through Cable - ✔✔A twisted pair cable in which the wire terminations on
both ends match. Used to connect different types of devices, like a DTE to a DCE. The
transmit pins align with the receive pins
Ex: Computers to switches, Router to modems, Switch to routers.
✔✔Crossover Cable - ✔✔A twisted pair cable in which the wire terminations on both
ends are different. Used to connect similar types of devices (DTE to DTE or DCE to
DCE). Transmit pins connect to receive pins on the other device.
Ex: Computer to computer, switch to switch, router to router.
✔✔Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) - ✔✔Source or destination of data in a
communication network, like a printer, computer, or router.
, ✔✔Data Communications Equipment (DCE) - ✔✔Establishes, maintains, and
terminates communication links, such as a modem, network switch, or CSU/DSUs
✔✔Optical Cabling - ✔✔Optical Cabling, AKA fiber-optic cables, use light to transmit
data through thin strands of glass or plastic (up to petabits per second); this makes
them immune to electromagnetic interference. It is capable of long-distance
transmissions with minimal signal loss and even supports intercontinental connections.
However, due to their materials and the difficulty of installation, optical cabling is 5-10
times more expensive than copper. It requires tools and expertise.
✔✔Single-mode fiber (SMF) vs Multi-Mode Fiber (MMF) - ✔✔SMF: Typically seen in a
yellow sheath, the narrow core (8.3-10 microns) SMF allows one beam of light to travel
in a straight path. It's ideal for long distances and is often used for infrastructure projects
like internet service and long-haul telecom lines.
MMF: Has a larger core (50-100 microns) and allows multiple beams of light to bounce
within the cable. It's suitable for shorter distances and commonly used for patch cables
in data centers. The aqua or orange cables are less effective for long distances.
✔✔Fiber Optic Connectors - ✔✔SC: Subscriber Connector, aka the square or standard
connector, has a "stick and click" mechanism and two cables, allowing both
transmission and receiving
ST: Straight Tip Connector has an older design with a "stick and twist" mechanism and
needs separate transmit and receive cables
LC: is a smaller version of the SC, has a stick and click mechanism, but is known for
always being coupled with the transmit and receive being side by side.
MTRJ: has a compact design with transmit and receive pins in a single connector. It's
half the size of SC, ST, or LC and allows for high-density fiber port configurations.
✔✔Coaxial Cabling - ✔✔Cabling in which the copper wire is insulated, then wrapped
with a braided shielding material, then covered with a protective outer sheath. Resistant
to EMI. A legacy technology, really, twisted pair and fiber optics have taken their place.
✔✔Types of Coaxial Cables - ✔✔RG-6: A coaxial cable used by cable modems to bring
internet and TV services into a home
RG-59: Standard coax cable used to carry composite video between devices and wall
outlets
TwinAxiel Cable: Contains two inner conductors for high-speed, short-range
connections. With a maximum of 7 meters and 10Gbps, it's useful for connecting
servers, switches, or storage devices.
