Cisco CCNA 200-301 Exam 2026 – 190 Practice Questions with
Answers & Detailed Rationales, Network Fundamentals, IP
Connectivity, Routing, Switching, Wireless Networks, Security &
Automation
SECTION 1: NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS (Questions 1–30)
Question 1
Which layer of the OSI model is responsible for establishing, managing, and terminating
sessions between applications?
A. Transport Layer
B. Session Layer
C. Presentation Layer
D. Application Layer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Session Layer (Layer 5) establishes, manages, and terminates
communication sessions between applications, including dialog control and synchronization.
Question 2
A network administrator notices that data packets are arriving at their destination out of
order. At which OSI layer would this issue primarily be addressed?
A. Network Layer
,B. Data Link Layer
C. Transport Layer
D. Physical Layer
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The Transport Layer (Layer 4) handles sequencing and reassembly of data
segments, ensuring packets arrive in correct order at the destination.
Question 3
Which topology provides the highest redundancy but requires the most cabling?
A. Star topology
B. Bus topology
C. Full mesh topology
D. Ring topology
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Full mesh topology connects every device to every other device, providing
maximum redundancy but requiring n(n-1)/2 links, making it cable-intensive.
Question 4
A technician is troubleshooting a network where users report slow performance during peak
hours. Which network characteristic is MOST likely affected?
A. Latency
,B. Bandwidth
C. Jitter
D. Packet loss
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Bandwidth exhaustion during peak usage causes slow performance as multiple
users compete for limited network capacity, creating congestion.
Question 5
Which TCP/IP model layer corresponds to the OSI model's Transport Layer?
A. Application Layer
B. Transport Layer
C. Internet Layer
D. Network Access Layer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The TCP/IP Transport Layer directly corresponds to the OSI Transport Layer,
handling end-to-end communication and reliability functions.
Question 6
What is the primary function of the MAC address in network communication?
A. Identify the network segment
, B. Identify the logical network address
C. Identify the physical device on the local network
D. Identify the application protocol
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: MAC addresses are 48-bit hardware addresses burned into NICs that uniquely
identify devices on the same local network segment.
Question 7
A company needs to connect two buildings 500 meters apart with minimal signal
degradation. Which cable type is MOST appropriate?
A. Cat 5e UTP
B. Cat 6 UTP
C. Fiber optic
D. Coaxial
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Fiber optic cable supports distances up to several kilometers without signal
degradation, while copper Ethernet is limited to 100 meters.
Question 8
Which protocol operates at the Network Layer and provides connectionless, best-effort
delivery?
Answers & Detailed Rationales, Network Fundamentals, IP
Connectivity, Routing, Switching, Wireless Networks, Security &
Automation
SECTION 1: NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS (Questions 1–30)
Question 1
Which layer of the OSI model is responsible for establishing, managing, and terminating
sessions between applications?
A. Transport Layer
B. Session Layer
C. Presentation Layer
D. Application Layer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Session Layer (Layer 5) establishes, manages, and terminates
communication sessions between applications, including dialog control and synchronization.
Question 2
A network administrator notices that data packets are arriving at their destination out of
order. At which OSI layer would this issue primarily be addressed?
A. Network Layer
,B. Data Link Layer
C. Transport Layer
D. Physical Layer
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The Transport Layer (Layer 4) handles sequencing and reassembly of data
segments, ensuring packets arrive in correct order at the destination.
Question 3
Which topology provides the highest redundancy but requires the most cabling?
A. Star topology
B. Bus topology
C. Full mesh topology
D. Ring topology
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Full mesh topology connects every device to every other device, providing
maximum redundancy but requiring n(n-1)/2 links, making it cable-intensive.
Question 4
A technician is troubleshooting a network where users report slow performance during peak
hours. Which network characteristic is MOST likely affected?
A. Latency
,B. Bandwidth
C. Jitter
D. Packet loss
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Bandwidth exhaustion during peak usage causes slow performance as multiple
users compete for limited network capacity, creating congestion.
Question 5
Which TCP/IP model layer corresponds to the OSI model's Transport Layer?
A. Application Layer
B. Transport Layer
C. Internet Layer
D. Network Access Layer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The TCP/IP Transport Layer directly corresponds to the OSI Transport Layer,
handling end-to-end communication and reliability functions.
Question 6
What is the primary function of the MAC address in network communication?
A. Identify the network segment
, B. Identify the logical network address
C. Identify the physical device on the local network
D. Identify the application protocol
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: MAC addresses are 48-bit hardware addresses burned into NICs that uniquely
identify devices on the same local network segment.
Question 7
A company needs to connect two buildings 500 meters apart with minimal signal
degradation. Which cable type is MOST appropriate?
A. Cat 5e UTP
B. Cat 6 UTP
C. Fiber optic
D. Coaxial
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Fiber optic cable supports distances up to several kilometers without signal
degradation, while copper Ethernet is limited to 100 meters.
Question 8
Which protocol operates at the Network Layer and provides connectionless, best-effort
delivery?
