Level 2 exam — IT & Systems

Exam — fresh questions

12 questions to validate level 2 with Sofiane, a support technician in a distribution SME in Algiers: IP addressing, DNS/DHCP, network equipment, troubleshooting and sharing.
Answer everything, then click Check: your score and explanations will appear.

2.1 · Recall

1. What does an IP address represent on a network?

The identifier of a machine, paired with a mask The password that opens the Windows session The brand and model of the computer The email address of the user account

The IP address identifies a machine on the network; the mask delimits the local network and the gateway is the exit to other networks.

2.1 · Application

2. Sofiane sees a workstation on 169.254.87.204 with an empty gateway. What is the most likely cause?

The DNS server no longer answers name queries The workstation received no address from the DHCP (APIPA) The subnet mask has an incorrect value The box's gateway has a wrong address

169.254.x.x is an APIPA address self-assigned for lack of a DHCP reply; an empty gateway confirms the addressing problem.

2.1 · Arbitration

3. Sofiane hesitates: fix the address by hand or look for the cause. What does he prioritise?

He sets a random address to restore access quickly He restarts the box without looking at the configuration He diagnoses from the nearest to the farthest He reinstalls the network card to start clean

One always diagnoses from the nearest to the farthest: understand the cause before fixing it, rather than acting at random.

2.2 · Recall

4. What does DHCP do for a machine joining the network?

It translates domain names into IP addresses It filters viruses before they reach the workstation It measures the bandwidth available on the link It assigns IP, mask, gateway and DNS servers

DHCP automatically hands out the address, the mask, the gateway and the DNS servers, as a renewed lease.

2.2 · Application

5. Sofiane pings 8.8.8.8 successfully but example.com fails. What does he conclude?

The network works; it is the DNS resolution The workstation's network cable is unplugged The DHCP assigned no address to the workstation The default gateway is completely absent

The IP answers so the network and the gateway are healthy; only the name fails: it is a DNS resolution problem.

2.2 · Application

6. A workstation's address is valid but nothing opens by its name. Which workaround to try first?

Replace the workstation's Ethernet cable Change the DNS server or flush its cache Restart the floor switch Assign a fixed IP address to the workstation

When name resolution fails, flush the DNS cache or try another DNS server — often the first workaround.

2.3 · Recall

7. What is the difference between a switch and a router?

The switch connects networks, the router connects workstations The switch adds Wi-Fi, the router the wired side The switch connects the workstations of the LAN, the router connects networks The switch converts the line, the router provides Wi-Fi

The switch connects machines WITHIN a network; the router connects DIFFERENT networks and acts as gateway.

2.3 · Arbitration

8. The whole site loses Internet at once, but the LAN stays accessible. Where to look?

At a single misconfigured workstation At the switch of the affected floor At the failing Wi-Fi access point At the modem, the line or the ISP

The LAN works but no one can go out any more: the scope points to the modem, the ISP line or the box.

2.4 · Application

9. Sofiane wants to check that the local network answers before going further. What does he ping?

The default gateway of the local network A remote web server on the Internet The domain name of an external site The company's mail server

One pings the gateway first: if it answers, the local network is reachable and one can aim further.

2.4 · Arbitration

10. ipconfig is correct, the gateway answers, but 8.8.8.8 does not respond. What does he do next?

He concludes that the workstation is out of service He runs tracert to locate where the journey breaks He changes the workstation's IP address at random He completely reinstalls the workstation's system

The failure is upstream of the gateway: tracert pinpoints at which hop the path breaks (box, ISP or beyond).

2.5 · Recall

11. What does applying the principle of least privilege mean?

Opening all folders to avoid blockages Giving administrator rights to everyone Granting only the strictly necessary access Deleting the company's network shares

Least privilege means granting each person only the access they need, nothing more.

2.5 · Application

12. Sofiane must share the HR folder. How does he proceed?

He opens it to everyone to simplify access He gives the same rights to every user He shares it on a network in public profile He assigns rights by group, according to need

One manages permissions by group (“HR” as read/write, “Managers” as read-only, others without access) and tests the actual access.

What's next?

Score ≥ 80%: move on to Level 3 — systems administration and network services with Sofiane.
Score between 50% and 80%: rework the failed section(s) (2.1 addressing, 2.2 DNS/DHCP, 2.3 equipment, 2.4 troubleshooting, 2.5 sharing), reread the lesson, then retake the test.
Score < 50%: reread the whole level 2 while applying each 48h challenge (read an ipconfig, decide between DNS/DHCP, draw the network, the ping sequence, a least-privilege share) before trying again.
And then? Keep the ipconfig reading sheet, the ipconfig → ping → tracert sequence and Sofiane's sharing policy: level 3 plugs them into service administration.