TheoryFree CCST Cisco IT Exam Prep Practice Test
Take a free CCST Cisco IT Exam Prep practice test for 2026 with questions, answers, explanations, PDF download and timed mock exam links.
CCST Cisco IT Exam Prep Questions
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Q1What is the primary difference between TCP and UDP?
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✓ Correct answer: TCP is connection-oriented while UDP is connectionless
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is connection-oriented, providing reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of data packets. UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is connectionless and does not guarantee delivery, order, or error checking, making it faster but less reliable.
Q2Which protocol would be most appropriate for time-sensitive applications like video streaming or online gaming?
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✓ Correct answer: UDP
UDP is preferred for time-sensitive applications because it has lower latency due to no handshaking, acknowledgments, or retransmissions. While some packets might be lost, this is generally preferable to the delays that TCP's reliability mechanisms would introduce.
Q3What is the default port number for HTTPS?
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✓ Correct answer: 443
HTTPS (HTTP Secure) uses port 443 by default. This is the secure version of HTTP that encrypts the data being transmitted using SSL/TLS.
Q4Which protocol is used to automatically assign IP addresses to devices on a network?
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✓ Correct answer: DHCP
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) automatically assigns IP addresses and other network configuration parameters to devices when they join a network, eliminating the need for manual IP configuration.
Q5What is the primary purpose of DNS?
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✓ Correct answer: To translate domain names to IP addresses
DNS (Domain Name System) translates human-readable domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses that computers use to identify each other on the network.
Q6Which protocol would you use to securely transfer files while maintaining SSH authentication and encryption?
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✓ Correct answer: SFTP
SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) provides secure file transfer capabilities using SSH encryption and authentication, protecting both credentials and data during transfer.
Q7What network protocol is primarily used for troubleshooting and is the foundation of the ping command?
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✓ Correct answer: ICMP
ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) is used for network diagnostics and error reporting. The ping command uses ICMP Echo Request and Echo Reply messages to test connectivity between hosts.
Q8Which of the following protocols offers the LEAST security for file transfers?
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✓ Correct answer: FTP
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) transmits data and credentials in plaintext without encryption, making it vulnerable to packet sniffing and credential theft. TFTP is even simpler but typically only used in controlled environments.
Q9What is the primary purpose of NTP?
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✓ Correct answer: To synchronize time across network devices
NTP (Network Time Protocol) is designed to synchronize the clocks of computers over a network to a common time reference, ensuring consistent timestamps across systems.
Q10Which protocol is typically used for simple network management tasks in resource-constrained environments like embedded devices or network bootstrapping?
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✓ Correct answer: TFTP
TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) is a simplified version of FTP that uses minimal resources and lacks authentication features, making it suitable for basic file transfers in environments with limited resources or during device initialization.
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