WGU C172 NETWORK AND SECURITY
FOUNDATIONS PRACTICE EXAM|QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE|2026 UPDATE|100%
PASS
1. What is a LAN (Local Area Network)?
A) A network that spans a large geographical area
B) A network of users that share computer resources in a limited area
C) A network that connects devices worldwide
D) A personal network for a single user
Answer: B) A network of users that share computer resources in a limited area
Rationale: A Local Area Network (LAN) connects computers and devices within a
limited geographical area such as an office building, school, or home, allowing
them to share resources and communicate .
2. How are Local Area Networks typically defined?
A) By the number of users connected
B) In terms of protocol and the topology used for accessing the network
C) By the age of the equipment
D) By the company that manufactures the hardware
Answer: B) In terms of protocol and the topology used for accessing the network
,Rationale: LANs are characterized by their protocol (rules for data exchange) and
topology (physical or logical arrangement of devices), which determine how
devices access the network and communicate .
3. What is a protocol in networking?
A) The physical cabling used to connect devices
B) A set of rules established for users to exchange information
C) The hardware device that forwards data
D) The software that manages user accounts
Answer: B) A set of rules established for users to exchange information
Rationale: Protocols are standardized sets of rules that determine how data is
formatted, transmitted, and received across network devices, ensuring consistent
communication .
4. What is a network topology?
A) The type of protocol used on the network
B) The geographic location of network devices
C) The network architecture used to interconnect the networking equipment
D) The speed at which data travels
Answer: C) The network architecture used to interconnect the networking
equipment
,Rationale: Topology refers to the arrangement of network devices and how they
are connected to each other, defining both physical and logical structures of the
network .
5. Which topology uses a token that circulates around the ring to control access?
A) Bus topology
B) Star topology
C) Mesh topology
D) Token Ring topology
Answer: D) Token Ring topology
Rationale: Token Ring topology uses a token that is placed in the data channel and
circulates around the ring. A device can only transmit data when it possesses the
token .
6. What is a deterministic network?
A) A network where data transmission is unpredictable
B) A network where each station is ensured access for transmission at regular or
fixed time intervals
C) A network that uses random access methods
D) A network that requires no access control
Answer: B) A network where each station is ensured access for transmission at
regular or fixed time intervals
, Rationale: Deterministic networks, like Token Ring, guarantee that each device has
a predictable opportunity to transmit data at specific intervals, making them
suitable for timesensitive applications .
7. What is a disadvantage of the Token Ring system?
A) It requires no central management
B) If an error changes the token pattern, it can cause the token to stop circulating
C) It is the most common topology used today
D) It uses coaxial cable exclusively
Answer: B) If an error changes the token pattern, it can cause the token to stop
circulating
Rationale: Token Ring networks are vulnerable to token corruption. If the token
pattern is altered due to errors, the token can disappear, halting all network
communication until the issue is resolved .
8. In a bus topology, how do computers share the media?
A) Through a central switch
B) Through a token passing mechanism
C) By sharing coaxial cable for data transmission
D) Through wireless signals
Answer: C) By sharing coaxial cable for data transmission
FOUNDATIONS PRACTICE EXAM|QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE|2026 UPDATE|100%
PASS
1. What is a LAN (Local Area Network)?
A) A network that spans a large geographical area
B) A network of users that share computer resources in a limited area
C) A network that connects devices worldwide
D) A personal network for a single user
Answer: B) A network of users that share computer resources in a limited area
Rationale: A Local Area Network (LAN) connects computers and devices within a
limited geographical area such as an office building, school, or home, allowing
them to share resources and communicate .
2. How are Local Area Networks typically defined?
A) By the number of users connected
B) In terms of protocol and the topology used for accessing the network
C) By the age of the equipment
D) By the company that manufactures the hardware
Answer: B) In terms of protocol and the topology used for accessing the network
,Rationale: LANs are characterized by their protocol (rules for data exchange) and
topology (physical or logical arrangement of devices), which determine how
devices access the network and communicate .
3. What is a protocol in networking?
A) The physical cabling used to connect devices
B) A set of rules established for users to exchange information
C) The hardware device that forwards data
D) The software that manages user accounts
Answer: B) A set of rules established for users to exchange information
Rationale: Protocols are standardized sets of rules that determine how data is
formatted, transmitted, and received across network devices, ensuring consistent
communication .
4. What is a network topology?
A) The type of protocol used on the network
B) The geographic location of network devices
C) The network architecture used to interconnect the networking equipment
D) The speed at which data travels
Answer: C) The network architecture used to interconnect the networking
equipment
,Rationale: Topology refers to the arrangement of network devices and how they
are connected to each other, defining both physical and logical structures of the
network .
5. Which topology uses a token that circulates around the ring to control access?
A) Bus topology
B) Star topology
C) Mesh topology
D) Token Ring topology
Answer: D) Token Ring topology
Rationale: Token Ring topology uses a token that is placed in the data channel and
circulates around the ring. A device can only transmit data when it possesses the
token .
6. What is a deterministic network?
A) A network where data transmission is unpredictable
B) A network where each station is ensured access for transmission at regular or
fixed time intervals
C) A network that uses random access methods
D) A network that requires no access control
Answer: B) A network where each station is ensured access for transmission at
regular or fixed time intervals
, Rationale: Deterministic networks, like Token Ring, guarantee that each device has
a predictable opportunity to transmit data at specific intervals, making them
suitable for timesensitive applications .
7. What is a disadvantage of the Token Ring system?
A) It requires no central management
B) If an error changes the token pattern, it can cause the token to stop circulating
C) It is the most common topology used today
D) It uses coaxial cable exclusively
Answer: B) If an error changes the token pattern, it can cause the token to stop
circulating
Rationale: Token Ring networks are vulnerable to token corruption. If the token
pattern is altered due to errors, the token can disappear, halting all network
communication until the issue is resolved .
8. In a bus topology, how do computers share the media?
A) Through a central switch
B) Through a token passing mechanism
C) By sharing coaxial cable for data transmission
D) Through wireless signals
Answer: C) By sharing coaxial cable for data transmission
