WGU C172 Network & Security Foundations OA (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Objective
Assessment | Network & Security
1. Which of the following best defines a computer network?
A) A single computer system with multiple users accessing it simultaneously
B) A group of interconnected people or things that share resources and communicate
C) A collection of standalone devices that operate independently without any connection
D) A software application that manages data storage and retrieval
Correct Answer: A group of interconnected people or things that share resources and
communicate
Rationale: A network is defined as a group of interconnected people or things. In the
context of IT, a computer network consists of two or more devices connected together to
share resources and communicate. Standalone devices and single-user systems do not
constitute a network.
2. What is the primary purpose of a communication protocol in a network?
A) To physically connect devices using cables
B) To establish a set of rules for users to exchange information
C) To provide power to network devices
D) To store data for backup purposes
Correct Answer: To establish a set of rules for users to exchange information
Rationale: A protocol is the set of rules established for users to exchange information.
Protocols define how data is formatted, transmitted, and received across a network,
ensuring that devices can communicate effectively regardless of their underlying hardware
or software.
,3. A network that connects computers and devices in a limited geographic area, such as a
single building, is known as a:
A) Wide Area Network (WAN)
B) Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
C) Local Area Network (LAN)
D) Personal Area Network (PAN)
Correct Answer: Local Area Network (LAN)
Rationale: A LAN connects devices within a limited geographic area, such as a home,
office, or building. A WAN spans a large geographic area, a MAN covers a city, and a PAN is
a small network centered around an individual person's workspace.
4. A network topology where all devices connect to a central hub or switch is called:
A) Bus topology
B) Ring topology
C) Star topology
D) Mesh topology
Correct Answer: Star topology
Rationale: In a star topology, twisted-pair cables connect the devices to a central hub or
switch. This is one of the most common topologies in modern networks. A bus topology
uses a single cable, a ring topology forms a closed loop, and a mesh topology provides
multiple redundant connections.
,5. Which network topology uses a single coaxial cable to connect all devices in a line,
where each computer shares the media for data transmission?
A) Star topology
B) Bus topology
C) Mesh topology
D) Ring topology
Correct Answer: Bus topology
Rationale: In a bus topology, the computers share the media (coaxial cable) for data
transmission. All devices are connected to a single backbone cable, and data travels in
both directions along the cable.
6. At which layer of the OSI model do routers operate?
A) Data Link Layer
B) Network Layer
C) Transport Layer
D) Application Layer
Correct Answer: Network Layer
Rationale: Routers operate at the Network Layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model. They use
logical addressing (IP addresses) to determine the best path for forwarding data packets
between different networks.
7. The OSI model consists of how many layers?
A) 4
, B) 5
C) 7
D) 8
Correct Answer: 7
Rationale: The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model has seven layers: Physical, Data
Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, and Application. The TCP/IP model has
four layers.
8. Which OSI layer is responsible for encryption, data formatting, and translation of data
formats?
A) Application Layer
B) Presentation Layer
C) Session Layer
D) Transport Layer
Correct Answer: Presentation Layer
Rationale: The Presentation Layer (Layer 6) is responsible for encryption, data formatting,
and translation of data between different formats. It ensures that data is presented in a
format that the application layer can understand.
9. Which OSI layer is responsible for establishing, managing, and terminating sessions
between applications?
A) Application Layer
B) Presentation Layer
C) Session Layer
Assessment | Network & Security
1. Which of the following best defines a computer network?
A) A single computer system with multiple users accessing it simultaneously
B) A group of interconnected people or things that share resources and communicate
C) A collection of standalone devices that operate independently without any connection
D) A software application that manages data storage and retrieval
Correct Answer: A group of interconnected people or things that share resources and
communicate
Rationale: A network is defined as a group of interconnected people or things. In the
context of IT, a computer network consists of two or more devices connected together to
share resources and communicate. Standalone devices and single-user systems do not
constitute a network.
2. What is the primary purpose of a communication protocol in a network?
A) To physically connect devices using cables
B) To establish a set of rules for users to exchange information
C) To provide power to network devices
D) To store data for backup purposes
Correct Answer: To establish a set of rules for users to exchange information
Rationale: A protocol is the set of rules established for users to exchange information.
Protocols define how data is formatted, transmitted, and received across a network,
ensuring that devices can communicate effectively regardless of their underlying hardware
or software.
,3. A network that connects computers and devices in a limited geographic area, such as a
single building, is known as a:
A) Wide Area Network (WAN)
B) Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
C) Local Area Network (LAN)
D) Personal Area Network (PAN)
Correct Answer: Local Area Network (LAN)
Rationale: A LAN connects devices within a limited geographic area, such as a home,
office, or building. A WAN spans a large geographic area, a MAN covers a city, and a PAN is
a small network centered around an individual person's workspace.
4. A network topology where all devices connect to a central hub or switch is called:
A) Bus topology
B) Ring topology
C) Star topology
D) Mesh topology
Correct Answer: Star topology
Rationale: In a star topology, twisted-pair cables connect the devices to a central hub or
switch. This is one of the most common topologies in modern networks. A bus topology
uses a single cable, a ring topology forms a closed loop, and a mesh topology provides
multiple redundant connections.
,5. Which network topology uses a single coaxial cable to connect all devices in a line,
where each computer shares the media for data transmission?
A) Star topology
B) Bus topology
C) Mesh topology
D) Ring topology
Correct Answer: Bus topology
Rationale: In a bus topology, the computers share the media (coaxial cable) for data
transmission. All devices are connected to a single backbone cable, and data travels in
both directions along the cable.
6. At which layer of the OSI model do routers operate?
A) Data Link Layer
B) Network Layer
C) Transport Layer
D) Application Layer
Correct Answer: Network Layer
Rationale: Routers operate at the Network Layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model. They use
logical addressing (IP addresses) to determine the best path for forwarding data packets
between different networks.
7. The OSI model consists of how many layers?
A) 4
, B) 5
C) 7
D) 8
Correct Answer: 7
Rationale: The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model has seven layers: Physical, Data
Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, and Application. The TCP/IP model has
four layers.
8. Which OSI layer is responsible for encryption, data formatting, and translation of data
formats?
A) Application Layer
B) Presentation Layer
C) Session Layer
D) Transport Layer
Correct Answer: Presentation Layer
Rationale: The Presentation Layer (Layer 6) is responsible for encryption, data formatting,
and translation of data between different formats. It ensures that data is presented in a
format that the application layer can understand.
9. Which OSI layer is responsible for establishing, managing, and terminating sessions
between applications?
A) Application Layer
B) Presentation Layer
C) Session Layer
