Connectivity Security Hardware - Quiz Explanation

The answers you selected are indicated below, along with text that explains the correct answers.
1. How do email systems allow their users to exchange messages with email sent to users on different networks?

Please select the best answer.
  A. They use a switch.
  B. They use a bridge.
  C. They use a router.
  D. They use a gateway.
  The correct answer is D. A gateway acts as a translator between networks using incompatible communications protocols. Answers A, B, and C refer to devices that do not perform this task.

2. If you visited a company Web site that had a restricted area "for employees only," what kind of hardware and/or software would prevent you from entering that area?

Please select the best answer.
  A. The gateway
  B. The router
  C. The firewall
  D. The switch
  The correct answer is C. A firewall prevents access to or from a private network, examining each message and blocking those that do not meet the specified security criteria. Answers A, B, and C are incorrect because they refer to devices that have different purposes.

3. Your friend tells you that she's visited a certain established site without any problems in the past, but that in the last several hours she's been unable to access it and gets instead an error message. What do you tell her?

Please select the best answer.
  A. Her computer may be running out of memory.
  B. She created a configuration problem while installing new software.
  C. They are probably updating the content of the site and are offline.
  D. She should delete the contents of her cookies folder, and then re-access the site.
  The correct answer is C. A common reason for this kind of error message is that the site is offline for maintenance reasons. Answers A, B, and D are incorrect because they are not good explanations of this kind of symptom.

4. You and your friends often post video files on your film class site so that you can see each other's work. All of you know to compress the files before uploading them. You've never had problems before. Today, it's taking you twice or three times as much time to download each movie. Why could that be?

Please select the best answer.
  A. The Web server or the ISP router may be unusually busy.
  B. Video files always take a long time to download.
  C. The files previously stored on the server must have slightly uncompressed during the night.
  D. You are no longer connected to the network.
  The correct answer is A. When the video reception is too slow in spite of an appropriate connection the reason for the delay is heavy traffic at the Web server or the ISP.

5. How would you deal with the risk of server failure when deploying an e-commerce site?

Please select the best answer.
  A. I would have other servers to take on the load of the server that fails.
  B. I would have a service agreement stating I didn't want that to happen.
  C. I would refer to the Requirements Definition and read the specifications.
  D. I would hire a qualified technician to fix the problem in an efficient manner.
  The correct answer is A. The strategy of having other servers take over when a server fails is known as failover strategy.

6. How could hot swappable disks prove helpful when dealing with disaster recovery?

Please select the best answer.
  A. They can keep the information inside of them intact in case of fire or flood.
  B. They can be removed and replaced from a server without turning the server off.
  C. Their cost is relatively cheap, so if they get damaged they can be replaced easily.
  D. They are important when dealing with the failure of key site hardware.
  The correct answer is B. The fact that they can be safely removed and replaced without having to turn the server off helps contain the possible "disaster" caused by the failure of the server.

7. Pat loves her new job as the only IT staff person in a small company. Pat hates to read, especially contracts. Her roommate advises her to read the agreements carefully when purchasing hardware for the company's site. Why do you think she gives her such advice?

Please select the best answer.
  A. She does not know that service agreements for network equipment are standard and cannot be modified.
  B. The guarantee terms to which she agrees in these documents may be insufficient given her company's needs.
  C. Most legal documents have tricky clauses embedded in them that may lead you to lose your job.
  D. Her boss cannot understand these agreements, that's why Pat has been hired for the IT position.
  The correct answer is B. Service agreements vary in terms of the guarantees of up-time and turnaround. It is important to weigh your company's needs against the terms in the agreements since your company may end up depending on them.