CompTIA CASP+ Practice Test

What could be inferred about network slowness in a local network environment from the provided traffic analysis?

1. Improper network zoning

2. Excessive bandwidth usage

3. Server misconfiguration

4. High latency issues

The correct answer is: Improper network zoning

When considering the implications of network slowness in a local network environment, improper network zoning can significantly contribute to performance issues. Network zoning refers to the way network resources are segmented and allocated within a local area network (LAN). If zones are not properly defined or configured, it can lead to broadcast issues, collision domains, and excessive data traffic across the network. This disorganization often results in slower network performance as devices compete for network resources, generating congestion that affects the overall speed and responsiveness of the network. In contrast, excessive bandwidth usage generally points to specific devices or applications consuming more network resources than expected, while server misconfiguration would typically impact specific services or applications rather than the whole network. High latency issues tend to indicate delays in data transmission rather than a systematic problem with how the network is organized. Thus, while these factors can certainly affect performance, improper zoning serves as a foundational structural issue that can be a key contributor to the overall slowness observed in local network environments.