Computer Networks Basics & Criteria MCQs: 12 Solved Questions with Explanations

Computer Networks basics look simple, but exam options deliberately mix a network with a distributed system, bandwidth with delay, jitter with attenuation, and an IP address with a MAC address. A network connects autonomous devices so processes can exchange data and share resources; protocols, addresses, performance and reliability criteria describe how that communication works. State the deciding rule before checking each answer, because the rule exposes close distractors. Questions 1, 7, 9 and 10 use the Computer Networks Basics & Criteria practice hub because no stable question-specific page is available for them. Use the CS Fundamentals collection for broader context.

Computer Networks basics and criteria to recall before the MCQs

Now use actual values. A 12 Mbit file on a 6 Mbit/s link needs 12 / 6 = 2.00 s to transmit. Add 40 ms = 0.04 s propagation, giving 2.00 + 0.04 = 2.04 s before processing and queueing. For delays of 48, 65, 53, 62 ms, the max-minus-min variation is 65 - 48 = 17 ms, which signals jitter. A hypothetical 30 days has 30 x 24 = 720 hours. At 99.5% availability, the unavailable fraction is 0.5% = 0.005, so downtime is 720 x 0.005 = 3.6 hours.

Computer Networks Basics MCQs 1-4: network meaning and distributed systems

Question 1 (CDAC CCAT 2019)

Collection of autonomous computers interconnected by a single technology is known as

• A. Topology

• B. Network

• C. LAN

• D. WAN

Correct answer: B. Network.

The definition asks for the general concept: autonomous computers connected so they can communicate. LAN and WAN are particular network scopes. Topology is the arrangement of connections, not the connected collection itself.

Question 2 (Accenture 2024)

Two devices are in network if _________

• A. a process in one device is able to exchange information with a process in another device

• B. a process is running on both devices

• C. PIDs of the processes running of different devices are same

• D. a process is active and another is inactive

Correct answer: A. a process in one device is able to exchange information with a process in another device.

The deciding test is communication between processes on different devices. Running processes, matching identifiers or comparing active states proves no exchange. Accenture 2024 solved question.

Question 3 (UPLT 2026)

When a collection of various computers appears as a single coherent system to its clients, what is this called?

• A. Networking system

• B. Computer network

• C. Distributed system

• D. None of the above

Correct answer: C. Distributed system.

The phrase "appears as a single coherent system" decides it. A network lets machines communicate. A distributed system coordinates them and hides much of their separation. UPLT 2026 solved question.

Question 4 (UGC NET 2020)

A computer network enables two or more computers to

• A. Increase the speed

• B. Share data and hardware resources

• C. Increase the work

• D. Monitor the software

Correct answer: B. Share data and hardware resources.

Networks let computers share data and hardware such as storage or printers. A connection does not automatically increase processor speed, increase work or monitor software. UGC NET 2020 solved question.

Computer Networks Basics MCQs 5-8: protocols, addresses and packet switching

Question 5 (DSSSB 2021)

_____ is a set of rules that governs how two computer systems interact.

• A. Syntax

• B. Rules

• C. Protocol

• D. Grammar

Correct answer: C. Protocol.

A protocol is the agreed set of rules that lets systems interpret messages. Syntax can be part of a protocol, but the other choices are not the networking term requested. DSSSB 2021 solved question.

Question 6 (Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan 2026)

Every Network Interface Card (NIC) has a unique, permanent hardware address assigned by the manufacturer. This is known as the:

• A. IP Address

• B. MAC Address

• C. Gateway Address

• D. Subnet Mask

Correct answer: B. MAC Address.

Here, the manufacturer-assigned NIC identifier is its MAC address. IP and gateway addresses are logical network-layer values. A subnet mask describes the network and host split. KVS 2026 solved question.

Question 7

c0:83:be:91:ad:55 can be an example of

• A. IPv4 address

• B. IPv6 address

• C. MAC Address

• D. Port Address

Correct answer: C. MAC Address.

Count the six colon-separated pairs: c0, 83, be, 91, ad, 55. Each hexadecimal pair represents 8 bits, so the total is 6 x 8 = 48 bits, the familiar MAC-address format. IPv4 normally uses four decimal octets, IPv6 has eight hexadecimal groups, and a port is a numeric transport-layer identifier.

Question 8 (DSSSB 2018)

Which of the following switching technique was used in ARPANET?

• A. Message Switching

• B. Circuit Switching

• C. Packet Switching

• D. Data switching

Correct answer: C. Packet Switching.

ARPANET used packet switching. A message is divided into independently handled packets over shared links. Circuit switching instead reserves an end-to-end path. DSSSB 2018 packet-switching question.

Network Criteria MCQs 9-12: bandwidth, jitter, attenuation and downtime

Question 9 (CDAC CCAT 2019)

The number of bits a channel can transmit in a second is called

• A. Delay

• B. Bandwidth

• C. Latency

• D. Jitter

Correct answer: B. Bandwidth.

In this question, bandwidth is the channel's data-carrying rate in bits per second. Delay or latency measures elapsed time. Jitter measures how delay varies across packets. The unit tells you which concept fits.

Question 10 (CDAC CCAT 2017)

_______ is defined as a variation in the delay of received packets.

• A. Reliability

• B. Delay

• C. Jitter

• D. Bandwidth

Correct answer: C. Jitter.

Delay is the time taken by a packet. Jitter is the variation from one packet's delay to another. For the packet delays used here, the values range from 48 ms to 65 ms, so their simple range is 65 - 48 = 17 ms. That variation signals jitter.

Question 11 (DSSSB 2018)

When a signal travels through a media, loss in its energy is called:

• A. Latency

• B. Distortion

• C. Noise

• D. Attenuation

Correct answer: D. Attenuation.

Attenuation is the reduction in signal power through a medium. Distortion changes signal shape, noise adds unwanted energy, and latency measures time. DSSSB 2018 attenuation question.

Question 12 (UGC NET 2024)

The period of time when a communication network becomes inoperative, is referred to as :

• A. Time fit

• B. Uptime

• C. Downtime

• D. Loadtime

Correct answer: C. Downtime.

Downtime is the interval when a network or service is unavailable. Uptime is the complementary operational period. The other terms do not name this measure. UGC NET 2024 solved question.

Network basics traps these 12 questions expose

Here is a second criteria check. If input signal power is 10 mW and received power is 2.5 mW, the power ratio is 10 / 2.5 = 4. The attenuation loss is 10 log10(4) = 6.02 dB, stated here as a positive loss value. This is a power change, not a time measurement. A fixed packet delay of 40 ms is delay, while a spread from 40 ms to 55 ms has a simple range of 55 - 40 = 15 ms, which indicates jitter. Neither time value is attenuation.

For a timed question, underline the noun being defined, write its unit, eliminate options from the wrong layer, and use the actual format or value before relying on memory. Units split the criteria quickly: bandwidth uses bit/s, delay and jitter use ms, and attenuation uses dB.

How exams extend Computer Networks Basics & Criteria

Definitions extend into LAN, MAN, WAN and topology. Protocol rules lead into layered communication. MAC addresses and packet switching open the way to data-link and network-layer questions. Bandwidth, delay, jitter, attenuation and downtime then return as small numericals or close-definition distractors.

When you want mixed practice beyond this subtopic, use the subject-level Computer Networks MCQs. Once you can separate protocols, addresses and performance terms cleanly, continue with Application Layer MCQs: 12 Solved DNS, HTTP, Email.

Use this readiness test before moving on. You should be able to classify c0:83:be:91:ad:55 as a 48-bit MAC address, compute 12 Mbit / 6 Mbit/s = 2 s, identify a 17 ms delay range as evidence of jitter, and derive 3.6 hours of downtime from 99.5% availability over 30 days without checking the options.

Computer Networks Basics & Criteria: the next practice step

Redo Questions 2, 3, 7, 9, 10 and 11 without looking at the answers. Together they test process communication, distributed-system transparency, address format, bandwidth, jitter and attenuation. If any deciding rule still feels uncertain, the Computer Science Fundamentals for Placements by Sanchit Sir course provides a sequenced route through Computer Networks alongside other core CS subjects.

A final classification check: identify what the question measures, check the layer and unit, and then choose the term. A network connects autonomous machines. A distributed system hides their separation. A protocol governs interaction. Bandwidth, delay, jitter, attenuation and downtime measure different things.