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Quizzes > Computers & IT

OSI Layers Quiz: Test Your Networking Knowledge

Quick, free computer network quiz to check your skills. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Cameron TaylorUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art showing network of computers connected by lines on teal background for IT and data networks quiz

This OSI layers quiz helps you check how data moves across the seven-layer model and where common protocols belong. Strengthen core networking ideas and spot gaps before an exam, then keep practicing with our computer networking quiz, try the ip networking fundamentals quiz, or review addressing skills with the ip address quiz.

What does LAN stand for in networking?
Logical Area Node
Local Area Network
Light Access Node
Large Array Network
LAN stands for Local Area Network, which connects computers within a limited area such as an office or home. It enables devices to share resources like files and printers. LANs typically use Ethernet or Wi-Fi to transmit data at high speeds.
Which network device forwards data packets between different networks?
Switch
Router
Hub
Repeater
Routers examine the destination IP address of a packet and route it across networks. They use routing tables and protocols to determine the best path. Routers operate at the OSI network layer (Layer 3).
Which topology connects all nodes to a central device?
Mesh
Bus
Ring
Star
In a star topology, each node connects to a central hub or switch. This central device manages data traffic and simplifies fault isolation. If one link fails, it doesn't affect other devices.
What is the primary function of a network switch?
Convert signals between media types
Amplify signals
Assign IP addresses
Forward frames based on MAC addresses
A switch operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model and forwards Ethernet frames by examining MAC addresses. It reduces collisions by creating separate collision domains for each connected device. Unlike hubs, switches send data only to the intended recipient.
Which protocol is used to load web pages in a browser?
HTTP
FTP
SNMP
SMTP
HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) is used to request and transmit web pages between clients and servers. It defines how messages are formatted and transmitted over the internet. HTTPS adds encryption via TLS for secure communication.
At which OSI layer do cables and physical connections operate?
Physical
Data Link
Network
Transport
The Physical layer (Layer 1) deals with hardware transmission of raw bitstreams over physical media. It includes cables, connectors, electrical signals, and bit encoding. Higher layers depend on these physical connections to pass data.
What is an IP address?
A protocol for routing packets
A network encryption standard
A unique identifier for a network interface
A hardware address burned into a NIC
An IP (Internet Protocol) address uniquely identifies a device's network interface for routing packets. IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, while IPv6 uses 128-bit. IP addressing enables devices to locate and communicate with each other over networks.
Which network type typically covers a small geographic area like a home?
PAN
MAN
WAN
LAN
A LAN (Local Area Network) typically covers a small geographic area such as a home, office, or building. It provides high data transfer rates and low latency. WANs span larger areas and connect multiple LANs.
What does CSMA/CD stand for in Ethernet networks?
Controlled System Message Access with Collision Delivery
Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection
Carrier Signal Multiplex Access with Checksum Delivery
Central Switch Media Access with Collision Delay
CSMA/CD is Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection. Devices listen for signals before transmitting and detect collisions to pause and retry. It was fundamental in early Ethernet to manage shared media.
Which topology provides the highest fault tolerance by connecting all devices?
Ring
Mesh
Star
Bus
A full mesh topology connects every device to every other device, providing redundant paths and high fault tolerance. If one link fails, traffic can reroute via other connections. However, mesh networks are complex and costly to implement at scale.
What is a key difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv6 uses MAC addresses, IPv4 uses IP
IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses, IPv4 uses 32-bit
IPv4 supports QoS, IPv6 does not
IPv4 uses hexadecimal, IPv6 uses decimal
IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, limiting the address pool to about 4.3 billion addresses. IPv6 expands this to 128-bit addresses, vastly increasing available addresses. IPv6 also includes improved header structure and built-in security features.
What is the purpose of a subnet mask?
To assign dynamic IP addresses
To divide an IP network into subnetworks
To map MAC addresses to IP addresses
To encrypt IP addresses on a network
A subnet mask identifies which portion of an IP address is the network part and which is the host part. It enables efficient IP address management and traffic routing. Subnetting improves network performance and security.
Which service translates domain names to IP addresses?
DNS
DHCP
ARP
FTP
DNS (Domain Name System) resolves human-readable domain names to IP addresses, allowing users to access websites by name. DNS servers maintain a distributed database of name-to-address mappings.
What is the role of DHCP in a network?
Monitor network performance
Encrypt network traffic
Translate domain names
Automatically assign IP addresses to devices
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) automatically allocates IP addresses and network configuration parameters to clients. This reduces manual configuration errors and simplifies network management. DHCP leases address assignments for a specified period.
What does a VPN primarily provide?
IP address translation
Higher bandwidth
Secure remote network access
Wireless connectivity
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates an encrypted tunnel over public networks, securing data and user privacy. It allows remote users to access resources as if connected to a private network. VPNs also mask the user's IP address for anonymity.
How does bandwidth differ from throughput?
Bandwidth is max capacity, throughput is actual rate
Bandwidth is encryption level, throughput is packet loss
Bandwidth is IP range, throughput is subnet mask
Bandwidth is latency, throughput is jitter
Bandwidth refers to the maximum data rate a network link can support, while throughput is the actual rate achieved. Throughput can be lower due to latency, packet loss, and protocol overhead. Understanding both helps optimize network performance.
Which OSI layer is responsible for end-to-end error recovery and flow control?
Network
Data Link
Transport
Session
The Transport layer (Layer 4) manages end-to-end communication, ensuring error recovery, flow control, and reliable delivery using protocols like TCP. It segments and reassembles data streams for the application layer.
What is MPLS used for in modern networks?
Converting analog to digital signals
Encrypting IP traffic
Assigning IP addresses dynamically
Efficient packet forwarding with labels
MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) attaches short path labels to packets to create end-to-end circuits for efficient routing. It improves traffic engineering and reduces forwarding complexity. MPLS supports multiple network protocols.
What is the main benefit of using VLANs?
Encrypting data on the network
Increasing physical cable lengths
Segmenting broadcast domains logically
Replacing routers for IP routing
VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) create separate broadcast domains on the same physical switch. They improve security, reduce broadcast traffic, and simplify network management by grouping users logically.
How does a network hub differ from a switch?
A switch operates at OSI Layer 1, a hub at Layer 2
A switch cannot connect multiple devices, a hub can
A hub encrypts traffic; a switch does not
A hub broadcasts to all ports; a switch forwards based on MAC
A hub operates at Layer 1 and repeats incoming signals to all ports, creating collisions. A switch operates at Layer 2 and forwards frames only to the destination port by reading MAC addresses. This reduces collisions and improves efficiency.
What is port forwarding used for in networking?
Directing external traffic to an internal host
Balancing load across servers
Assigning dynamic IP addresses
Encrypting web traffic
Port forwarding maps an external port on a router to an internal IP and port, allowing services hosted on a private network to be accessible publicly. It's commonly used for hosting servers behind NAT.
How does Network Address Translation (NAT) enhance security?
By scanning all incoming packets for malware
By encrypting all transmitted data
By hiding internal IP addresses from the public internet
By assigning MAC addresses to hosts
NAT translates private internal IP addresses to a public IP address, masking the network structure from external hosts. This provides a layer of obscurity and reduces direct attacks on internal devices.
Which routing protocol uses the shortest path first algorithm?
OSPF
BGP
EIGRP
RIP
OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) uses Dijkstra's shortest-path-first algorithm to calculate the best path based on link costs. It converges quickly and supports large, hierarchical networks.
What is QoS in networking used to manage?
Physical cable testing
User authentication
IP address assignment
Traffic prioritization and performance
Quality of Service (QoS) manages network traffic by prioritizing certain types of data, such as voice or video, to meet performance requirements. It reduces latency, jitter, and packet loss for critical applications.
Which protocol is the de facto internet routing protocol using a path vector mechanism?
RIP
OSPF
BGP
EIGRP
BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is the standard exterior gateway protocol that uses path vector routing to exchange routing information between autonomous systems. It considers path attributes and policies rather than simple metrics. BGP ensures scalable and flexible internet routing.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Key Components -

    Understand the primary hardware and software elements that make up a communications system connecting two or more computers, reinforcing core computer network fundamentals.

  2. Identify Network Protocols -

    Identify common protocols used in data communication systems quiz scenarios and explain their roles in ensuring reliable and secure information exchange.

  3. Analyze Data Flow and Topologies -

    Analyze various network topologies and data flow models to diagnose potential bottlenecks and optimize communication paths in a network environment.

  4. Apply Troubleshooting Techniques -

    Apply proven troubleshooting strategies to resolve common issues, enhancing your mastery of network communication basics.

  5. Evaluate Network Performance -

    Evaluate key performance metrics through an online systems and networks test, solidifying your understanding of practical network administration.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Core Definition -

    Understand that a communications system connecting two or more computers describes any arrangement where devices exchange data over a shared medium, such as Ethernet cables or Wi-Fi channels. This foundational concept, defined in ISO/IEC 7498-1, is the bedrock of computer network fundamentals and ensures clear data flow between endpoints.

  2. OSI Model Layers -

    Memorize the seven layers of the OSI model - Physical, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, and Application - using the mnemonic "Please Do Not Throw Sausage Pizza Away." These network communication basics help you map real protocols like TCP/IP (Transport and Network) and HTTP (Application) to their corresponding layers.

  3. Switching Methods -

    Differentiate packet switching (used in the Internet, where data is sent in discrete chunks) from circuit switching (used in traditional telephony, where a dedicated path is reserved). Remember that packet switching offers better resource utilization, while circuit switching guarantees constant bandwidth - key concepts for a data communication systems quiz.

  4. Essential Network Devices -

    Review the roles of NICs (Network Interface Cards), switches, and routers: a NIC connects a host to the network, a switch forwards frames within a LAN, and a router directs packets between different networks. These components are pillars of computer network fundamentals, ensuring seamless data delivery at each hop.

  5. IP Addressing & Subnetting -

    Practice converting IPv4 addresses with slash notation (e.g., 192.168.1.0/24) to binary masks to master subnetting for your online systems and networks test. Understanding how to calculate network and host portions boosts your confidence in tackling real-world scenarios and exam questions alike.

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