Miscellaneous Topics MCQs for Computer Networks: 12 Solved Hardware Questions with Explanations

Hardware-basics questions often hide the answer in one clue: UTP points to RJ45, translation to a gateway, a destination MAC address to a switch, and modulation to a modem. Attempt each device question before checking its explanation, then use the worked transfer-rate calculation to verify the units. CS Fundamentals for Exams & Placements connects these concepts to wider exam and placement revision.

Computer network connectors and cable MCQs

Match each connector to its medium and purpose. RJ45 is the common connector for UTP Ethernet cabling, while BNC is used with coaxial cable in RF and high-frequency contexts. Neither term is a general label for computer peripheral interfaces.

Question 1: UTP connector

MPPSC 2025

The Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cable is the most commonly used cable in computer communication. The most common UTP connector is

• A. RJ 46

• B. RJ 99

• C. RJ 45

• D. RJ 50

Answer: C. RJ 45. RJ45 is the standard answer for UTP Ethernet connections. The other labels are distractors here and are not the conventional UTP Ethernet connector.

Question 2: RJ45 and gateway statements

NVS 2019

State whether the following sentences are true or false.

(i) RJ45 is a type of connector commonly used for connecting components of a computer system (e.g., keyboard, monitor, printer, etc.).

(ii) A gateway is used to connect two networks together that may work upon different networking models.

• A. (i) – True, (ii) – True

• B. (i) – True, (ii) – False

• C. (i) – False, (ii) – False

• D. (i) – False, (ii) – True

Answer: D. (i) – False, (ii) – True. Statement (i) overgeneralises RJ45, which is commonly used for Ethernet cabling rather than as the standard connector for keyboards, monitors and printers. Statement (ii) is true because a gateway can connect networks using different protocols or architectures and perform the required translation.

Question 3: RF connector for coaxial cable

IBPS 2023

Which of the following RF connectors is commonly used with coaxial cables for high-frequency signal transmission?

• A. BNC

• B. HDMI

• C. RJ45

• D. DVI

• E. PS/2

Answer: A. BNC. BNC is the coaxial RF connector among these choices. HDMI and DVI are display interfaces, while RJ45 is the common Ethernet twisted-pair connector. PS/2 is a legacy keyboard and mouse connector.

Computer Networks hardware-device MCQs: router, gateway, bridge and switch

Use a precise decision rule: a router chooses a path between IP networks, a gateway can translate between unlike systems, a bridge forwards frames between LAN segments, and a switch forwards frames using learned MAC addresses. Calling all four a connecting device hides the clue that decides the answer.

Question 4: Router as traffic controller

KVS 2026

Which device acts as a “traffic controller” to connect two different networks (like your home LAN and the internet) and determines the best path for data packets?

• A. Modem

• B. Router

• C. Access Point

• D. Hub

Answer: B. Router. A router connects IP networks and uses routing information to select a packet's next path. An access point provides wireless LAN access, a hub repeats traffic, and a modem handles signal conversion and access connectivity.

Question 5: Gateway protocol translation

Bihar STET 2025

Which of the following device provides the necessary translation of data received from network into a format or protocol recognized by devices with the internal network?

• A. Bridge

• B. Gateway

• C. Router

• D. Modem

Answer: B. Gateway. The key word is “translation”, which points to a gateway. A bridge or router mainly forwards within compatible link-layer or network-layer rules, while a modem changes signal representation rather than acting as the general protocol translator described here.

Question 6: Frames between LANs

KVS 2013

Frames from one LAN can be transmitted to another LAN via a device called

• A. Router

• B. Bridge

• C. Repeater

• D. Modem

Answer: B. Bridge. The word “frames” anchors the answer. A bridge operates at the data-link layer and forwards frames between LAN segments using MAC information, while a router's characteristic network-layer unit is the packet.

Question 7: Forwarding by MAC address

UGC NET November 2017

Which of the following devices takes data sent from one network device and forwards it to the destination node based on MAC address ?

• A. Hub

• B. Modem

• C. Switch

• D. Gateway

Answer: C. Switch. A switch learns MAC-to-port mappings and sends a known-destination frame towards the relevant port. A hub repeats incoming traffic broadly and does not make a MAC-based forwarding decision.

Modem function MCQs

Modem means modulator-demodulator. It enables communication across a medium that requires signal conversion, classically converting digital data to an analogue carrier for transmission and recovering digital data from the received signal. Modern broadband access uses several technologies, but the classical exam definition of a modem still focuses on modulation and demodulation.

Question 8: Three statements about a modem

Which of the given statements are true?

(i) Modem is a networking device.

(ii) Modem is a voltage stabilizer.

(iii) Modem converts analogue signal to digital signal and vice versa.

• A. (ii) and (iii)

• B. (i) and (iii)

• C. (i) and (ii)

• D. (i), (ii) and (iii)

Answer: B. (i) and (iii). A modem is used for network communication and performs analogue-to-digital and digital-to-analogue signal conversion, so (i) and (iii) are true. It does not stabilise supply voltage, so (ii) is false.

Question 9: Digital data for an analogue medium

EMRS 2023

Which computer hardware device is used to convert data from a digital format into a form suitable for an analog transmission medium? Select the best answer from the given options.

• A. Modem

• B. Switch

• C. Repeater

• D. Hub

Answer: A. Modem. “Digital format” and “analog transmission medium” point directly to modulation, which a modem performs. A switch, repeater and hub forward or regenerate signals and traffic, but they are not the requested digital-to-analogue converter.

Question 10: Data over telephone lines

Which of the following devices enables a computer to transmit data over telephone lines?

• A. CPU

• B. Hub

• C. Switch

• D. Modem

Answer: D. Modem. In the classical dial-up context used by this hardware-basics question, a modem modulates and demodulates signals for transmission over a telephone line. That answer should not be generalised to every current form of internet access.

Server role and data-transfer calculation MCQs

A server provides services or resources to multiple clients over a network. A data-transfer question instead combines rate and time, so convert 2 minutes to 120 seconds before multiplying by 56 kbps.

Question 11: Computer serving multiple network users

A computer that serves multiple users over a network is usually called:

• A. Client

• B. Server

• C. Modem

• D. Node

Answer: B. Server. A server provides services or resources to multiple clients over a network. A node is any generic network participant, while client and modem describe different roles.

Question 12: Maximum file size over a 56 kbps modem

A file is downloaded in a home computer using 56 kbps MODEM connected to an Internet Service Provider. If the download of the file completes in 2 minutes, what is the maximum size of the data downloaded?

• A. 112 Mbits

• B. 6.72 Mbits

• C. 67.20 Mbits

• D.  672 Mbits

Answer: B. 6.72 Mbits.

1. 2 minutes = 2 × 60 seconds = 120 seconds.

2. 56 kilobits/second × 120 seconds = 6,720 kilobits.

3. 6,720 kilobits ÷ 1,000 = 6.72 megabits.

The answer choices use decimal units for the final conversion. A reverse check gives 6.72 megabits ÷ 120 seconds = 0.056 megabits/second = 56 kilobits/second. Do not silently divide by eight because the options ask for Mbits, not MB.

Hardware basics answer map for quick revision

Use the clue before looking at the options. The clues distinguish closely related devices.

For the numerical, keep this three-line unit checklist:

• 2 min = 120 s

• 56 kbps × 120 s = 6,720 kbits

• 6,720 kbits = 6.72 Mbits when 1 Mbit = 1,000 kbits

Use Computer Networks MCQs as the broader practice index after reviewing this map.

How exams turn hardware vocabulary into traps

Hardware questions commonly appear as direct identification, clue-word discrimination, paired true-or-false statements and unit conversion. The decisive clues are the medium for RJ45 and BNC, the action words for router, gateway, bridge and switch, and the requested unit for 56 kbps over 120 seconds.

• Treating every connecting device as a router. This happens when you ignore the action word, so a translation or frame-forwarding question is misread. Replace the vague device label with packet path -> router, translation -> gateway, and frame between LAN segments -> bridge.

• Confusing signal conversion with protocol translation. Both sound like conversion, but the result is a modem-gateway mix-up. Use analogue/digital signal -> modem and unlike protocol or format -> gateway.

• Ignoring whether the data unit is a frame or packet. Layer information is then lost and bridge questions start looking like router questions. Use frame -> data-link bridge and packet path -> router.

• Converting Mbits to MB without being asked. Dividing by eight changes the unit and misses every option in this numerical. Keep the result in megabits when the choices say Mbits.

For another numerical-heavy set, continue with Computer Networks Subnetting MCQs: 12 Solved IP Addressing Questions.

Miscellaneous hardware MCQs: the short version and next step

Recall the chain: RJ45 -> UTP, BNC -> coaxial, MAC -> switch, translation -> gateway, and modulation/demodulation -> modem. For the numerical, retain 56 × 120 = 6,720 kbits = 6.72 Mbits.

If you need a structured pass through Computer Networks alongside DBMS and Operating Systems for technical interviews, use Computer Science Fundamentals for Placements by Sanchit Sir. If you only need more practice, return to the linked Computer Networks MCQ index and attempt another set before reading its answers.