CertByte is a bi-weekly blog and segment on the CyberWire Daily podcast hosted by Chris Hare, a content developer and project management specialist at N2K. On CertByte, we share practice questions from our suite of industry-leading content and a study tip to help you achieve the professional certifications you need to fast-track your career growth. View our CertByte series on YouTube.
CertByte: CompTIA® Network+
On this edition of CertByte, we discuss a question from N2K’s CompTIA® Network+ practice test.
As your news-to-knowledge partner, N2K will advance your career while bringing you the industry news and trends that help you stay a step ahead. Through our bi-weekly episodes of CertByte on the CyberWire Daily podcast, and these companion articles, we aim to support your certification journey and fast-track your career growth in IT, cybersecurity, and project management. As your host, I or my guest will share a practice question from N2K’s suite of industry-leading content and a study tip (or study “bit” as I like to call it) to increase your confidence and readiness on exam day.
In this segment, my teammate Dan Neville and I break down a question from N2K's CompTIA Network+ Practice Test. The Network+ exam series is meant for candidates who already hold an A+ certification and have about 9-12 months of networking experience. As two versions of the exams currently exist, N10-008 (which launched in September 2021) and N10-009 (which launched in June 2024), this episode’s question applies to both versions.
When I asked how candidates should decide which version to take, Dan recommended that you base the decision on how long you have had a career in networking. If you’ve been doing it for a while, then N10-008 will be easier, given that you have more experience. However, if you would like to be perceived as current on all of the latest, greatest issues in networking, then N10-009 is a better fit. As always, the question we shared is a sample from N2K's CompTIA Network+ Practice Test*, and not from the actual CompTIA exam.
Quick CompTIA Network+ study bit.
Here’s an important study bit from Dan that you should know before you sit for the live exam: The first few questions on CompTIA exams are typically performance-based and take a lot of time. Be sure to immediately mark them for review and address them again at the end of your exam. The same applies to any questions you’re unable to answer in less than 30 seconds.
This week’s question.
You need to check for open circuits and short circuits on your network. Which tool should you use?
Answer choices:
- Butt set
- Toner probe
- Protocol analyzer
- Cable tester
Working through the logic of each answer choice.
Before considering each answer option, I checked its parent topic. In both versions N10-008 and N10-009 this question falls under the “Network Troubleshooting” objective, sub-objective 2: “Given a scenario, troubleshoot common cabling and physical interface issues.” I started analyzing each option, beginning with “butt set.” I recalled from my telecom days that this had to do with telephones, so I ruled it out immediately. I had no idea about the next choice, “toner probe,” so I moved on to “protocol analyzer.” This sounded more process-based than testing for particular circuits, so I struck that one out. Finally, “cable tester” sounded more straightforward, as circuits are conducted through cables, so I decided to go with: “D. Cable tester.”
Dan let me know I was indeed correct: A cable tester tests for open and/or short circuits on your network. which will check for open circuits and short circuits on your network. A cable tester typically includes an electric current source, a volt meter, and an interface for connecting to the cable. A butt set is used to test telephone lines, so Dan let me know I got really close there. A toner probe identifies only a single cable on the network in a big bundle, and a protocol analyzer is software that allows you to view information about network communication protocols.
After thanking Dan for his great question and explanation, I mentioned that CompTIA claims their Network+ is the only exam on the market that includes the core skills required to support networks in any environment. I was curious about which types of job roles Dan saw this certification useful for. His reply was systems administrator, network administrator, network support, and even tech support roles.
In other product news, Dan shared the latest CompTIA updates. Cloud+ was refreshed in September 2024 and Tech+ (formerly known as IT Fundamentals+) was refreshed in November 2024. The new version of PenTest+ and SecurityX have a newly scheduled release date of January 21, 2025. (PenTest+ is an update, while SecurityX is a brand-new expert-level certification that replaces CASP+). All of our corresponding practice tests will be available on our site by early 2025. In the meantime, N2K also offers all of the current versions of these exams, including our newly published practice exam for Data+.
Want more help with this exam?
Whether you are actively studying for the Network+ exam or would like to suggest a future certification question, email us at certbyte at n2k.com.
Premium certification prep tools.
If you're studying for an IT, cybersecurity, or project management certification exam, check out N2K’s full exam prep library of certification practice tests, practice labs, and training courses by visiting our website at n2k.com/certify. To get the full news-to-knowledge experience, learn more about our N2K Pro subscription at https://thecyberwire.com/pro.
Explore key terms from the Network+ certification.
Visit N2K CyberWire’s glossary to dive deeper into these key terms, listed in the order discussed in our segment: CompTIA®, network, circuit, open circuit, short circuit, butt set, toner probe, protocol analyzer, cable tester, physical interface, telecom, and protocol.
Happy certifying!
*For sources and citations for this practice question, please check out our show notes.