Network+ exam prep: performance-based labs
In questions like the Network+ performance-based ones you fill in subnet tables, build topologies, order rules and find faults from command output.
Level 201 · 15 lessons · 12 practice labs
Lessons
Design and installation questions
- Performance-based question types and how to work them
- Filling in a subnet table: allocating addresses with variable-length masks
- Choosing the right cable and connector for a scenario
- Placing devices and links on a topology
- Wireless controller and access point settings
- Short task: draw up an address plan for a six-department building
Routing and security questions
- Reading a routing table and adding the missing route
- Ordering firewall and access list rules
- Matching services to their ports and protocols
- Diagnosing a problem from a packet capture
- Short task: restrict traffic between two offices with rules
Troubleshooting questions
- Finding the fault from command output
- Putting troubleshooting steps in order
- Finding the bottleneck on a monitoring dashboard
- Capstone: a timed set of performance-based questions
Practice labs
- Fill the gaps in a subnet table: In an interactive table you fill in the mask, first and last address and broadcast for the given networks and check them.
- Allocate addresses for a five-floor building: You allocate a single block with VLSM for a building with different device counts per floor and drag the result into the table.
- Place devices and links on a topology: You place a firewall, switches, an access point and servers on a diagram, connect them with the right cable types and note your reasoning.
- Add the missing line to a routing table: In a three-router diagram you find from the tables why a subnet is unreachable and add the missing route.
- Put a rule table in the right order: You order a rule table that permits only the required services between two offices and leaves a default deny at the end.
- Match services to ports and protocols: You drag twenty services to their port numbers and transport protocols, then write a firewall rule from them.
- Find who rejects the connection in a capture: In a capture opened in Wireshark you find which side sends RST and which port's request is refused.
- Pick the fault from command output: You look at ipconfig, route and arp output from four devices and match each one's fault from the options.
- Show the bottleneck on a monitoring dashboard: From utilisation, error and latency graphs on a dashboard you find the link behind the complaint and write your reasoning.
- Choose the strongest settings on an access point: On a wireless controller screen you pick the security mode, encryption and authentication server for the corporate network.
- Re-plan overlapping channels: You reassign the 2.4 and 5 GHz channels of four access points so they don't interfere with each other.
- Separate the guest network from the corporate one: In a control-panel simulation you set up a guest SSID, a separate VLAN, client isolation and an internet-only rule together.
About this course
In questions like the Network+ performance-based ones you fill in subnet tables, build topologies, order rules and find faults from command output.
What you will learn
- Design and installation questions
- Routing and security questions
- Troubleshooting questions
Prerequisites
Finishing the level 101 courses of the same path, or knowing those topics, is enough.
Lab environment
Lessons run on your own Kali Linux desktop in the browser, with the tools ready in their windowed interfaces. Nothing to install; a computer screen is recommended.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this course right for my level?
- The course is at level 201; it assumes you know the topics of the lower-level courses.
- Is there anything to install?
- No. Every lesson runs in your own lab environment that opens in the browser.
- How do lessons work?
- Each lesson has 8 to 10 steps and a short quiz. Early steps show the command to type, later steps give less help; if two attempts fail, the solution opens.
- Can I try it for free?
- Yes. The first three lessons of every course are free.