HPE6-A85 Aruba Certified Campus Access Associate Exam Questions and Answers

The weakness introduced into WLAN environment when WPA2-Personal is used for security is that PMK Pairwise Master Key (PMK) is a key that is derived from PSK Pre-shared Key (PSK) is a key that is shared between two parties before communication begins , which are both fixed. This means that all users who know PSK can generate PMK without any authentication process. This also means that if PSK or PMK are compromised by an attacker, they can be used to decrypt all traffic encrypted with PTK Pairwise Temporal Key (PTK) is a key that is derived from PMK, ANonce Authenticator Nonce (ANonce) is a random number generated by an authenticator (a device that controls access to network resources, such as an AP), SNonce Supplicant Nonce (SNonce) is a random number generated by supplicant (a device that wants to access network resources, such as an STA), AA Authenticator Address (AA) is MAC address of authenticator, SA Supplicant Address (SA) is MAC address of supplicant using Pseudo-Random Function (PRF). PTK consists of four subkeys: KCK Key Confirmation Key (KCK) is used for message integrity check, KEK Key Encryption Key (KEK) is used for encryption key distribution, TK Temporal Key (TK) is used for data encryption, MIC Message Integrity Code (MIC) key. .

The other options are not weaknesses because:

It uses X 509 certificates generated by a Certification Authority: This option is false because WPA2-Personal does not use X 509 certificates or Certification Authority for authentication. X 509 certificates and Certification Authority are used in WPA2-Enterprise mode, which uses 802.1X and EAP ExtensibleAuthentication Protocol (EAP) is an authentication framework that provides support for multiple authentication methods, such as passwords, certificates, tokens, or biometrics. EAP is used in wireless networks and point-to-point connections to provide secure authentication between a supplicant (a device that wants to access the network) and an authentication server (a device that verifies the credentials of the supplicant). for user authentication with a RADIUS server Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) is a network protocol that provides centralized authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) management for users who connect and use a network service .

The Pairwise Temporal Key (PTK) is specific to each session: This option is false because PTK being specific to each session is not a weakness but a strength of WPA2-Personal. PTK being specific to each session means that it changes periodically during communication based on time or number of packets transmitted. This prevents replay attacks and increases security of data encryption.

It does not use the WPA 4-Way Handshake: This option is false because WPA2-Personal does use the WPA 4-Way Handshake for key negotiation. The WPA 4-Way Handshake is a process that allows the station and the access point to exchange ANonce and SNonce and derive PTK from PMK. The WPA 4-Way Handshake also allows the station and the access point to verify each other’s PMK and confirm the installation of PTK.

References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi_Protected_Access#WPA_key_hierarchy_and_management https://www.cwnp.com/wp-content/uploads/pdf/WPA2.pdf

Layer: 1) Physical layer Phase of Message Processing: d) Organize the data into bits

Layer: 2) Data Link layer Phase of Message Processing: c) Organize the data into frames

Layer: 3) Network layer Phase of Message Processing: b) Organize the data into packets

Layer: 4) Transport layer Phase of Message Processing: a) Organize the data into segments

The OSI model divides the networking process into seven layers, each representing a different step of the transmission chain. Each layer has its own function and is responsible for well-defined tasks. User data passes sequentially from the highest layer down through the lower layers until the device transmits it externally. The lowest layer, the physical layer, converts the data into bits that can be sent over a physical medium. The second layer, the data link layer, organizes the bits into frames that can be transmitted over a link between two nodes. The third layer, the network layer, organizes the frames into packets that can be routed across a network of nodes. The fourth layer, the transport layer, organizes the packets into segments that can provide reliable and error-free communication between two end points12. References: 1 https://www.linode.com/docs/guides/introduction-to-osi-networking-model/  2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OSI_model

Using the provided topology and show command output, it can be determined that L3-SW-2 in the Branch Office does not have a route to reach the subnet where PC1 resides (192.168.1.0/24 in the HQ Office). L3-SW-1 in the HQ Office has a route to the Branch Office subnet (172.16.1.0/24), but without the reciprocal route on L3-SW-2, traffic from the Branch Office will not be able to reach the HQ Office subnet, hence PC1 cannot ping PC2.

Bonding multiple 20MHz wide 802.11 channels is a technique to create a wider bandwidth channel that supports higher data rate transmissions. It can increase the throughput between the client and AP by using more spectrum resources and reducing interference. References:https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9288995

Bonding multiple 20MHz wide 802.11 channels is a technique used to increase the throughput between the client device and the Access Point (AP). By combining two or more 20MHz channels into a wider channel (e.g., 40MHz, 80MHz, or even 160MHz), the data carrying capacity and, consequently, the overall throughput of the wireless connection are increased. This method is particularly useful in high-bandwidth applications or environments where higher data rates are required.

To provide an LACP connection with the maximum available bandwidth, one should configure a link aggregation group (LAG) using all available ports that can be used for data transfer. Since the SFP56 portsare used for stacking, the next best option is to use the 2 SFP28 ports and as many SmartRate 5G (SR5) ports as possible on each switch, which would allow for a 16-member LAG, with 2 SFP28 and 6 SR5 ports on each switch contributing to the LAG.

In a Virtual Switching Extension (VSX) stack, the Virtual IP (VIP) provides a single default gateway IP address for clients connected to the access switch. This VIP is a floating IP that is active on the primary VSX switch. In the event of a failure of the primary switch, the VIP will failover to the secondary switch, ensuring that client traffic can continue to be routed without disruption.

Layer 2 MAC authentication is a method of authenticating devices based on their MAC addresses without requiring any client-side configuration or credentials. The switch sends the MAC address of the device to an authentication server such as ClearPass or RADIUS, whichchecks if the MAC address is authorized to access the network. If yes, the switch grants access to the device based on the assigned role and policies. If no, the switch denies access or redirects the device to a captive portal for further authentication.References:https://www.arubanetworks.com/techdocs/ArubaOS_86_Web_Help/Content/arubaos-solutions/1-overview/mac-authentication.htm

When a client connects to an Aruba AP in tunnel mode and is assigned to a VLAN based on the client's MAC address, this indicates a Dynamic VLAN assignment. The VLAN is determined dynamically at the time of authentication based on the client's credentials or attributes, such as its MAC address.

WPA3-Personal enhances the security of wireless networks by using Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE), which is a more secure replacement for the Pre-Shared Key (PSK) method used in WPA2. SAE strengthens the initial key exchange, providing better protection against offline dictionary attacks and ensuring that each session has a unique Pairwise Master Key (PMK), derived from the interaction between the client and the access point, including session-specific information like MAC addresses and nonces.

100 Gbps, 3M: Direct Attach Copper

1 Gbps, 30M: Cat Ga

10 Gbps, 60M: Multimode fiber

1 Gbps, 2km: Single mode fiber

The Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) is used to map layer-3 IP addresses to layer-2 MAC addresses. When a device on a network wants to communicate with another device, it uses ARP to find the MAC address that corresponds to the IP address it wishes to communicate with, allowing it to construct a frame for the local network.

In large logistic facilities, to ensure comprehensive monitoring and performance analysis, it's recommended to place a User Experience Insight (UXI) sensor in every aisle. This allows for detailed and specific monitoring of network performance across the extensive coverage area of such facilities.

Profiling is a feature that allows Aruba switches to automatically identify and classify devices connected to them based on various attributes such as MAC address, DHCP options, LLDP information, etc. Profiling can be used to dynamically set the PoE priority on a switch port based on the device type and power requirements. For example, an IP camera may have a higher PoE priority than a printer or a PC. Profiling can also be used to apply other configuration settings such as VLANs, ACLs, QoS, etc. based on the device profile.References:https://www.arubanetworks.com/techdocs/ArubaOS_86_Web_Help/Content/arubaos-solutions/1-overview/profiling.htm

The 802.1x authentication process begins after the client device completes the 802.11 association with the access point but before the WPA 4-Way Handshake. This is part of the EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) process, which authenticates the device before allowing full network access.

The administrative distance is used as a trust rating for route entries (B). It is a metric used by routers to select the best path when there are two or more different routes to the same destination from two different routing protocols. The lower the administrative distance value, the more trustworthy the source of the route. For example, a directly connected network has an administrative distance of 0 because it is the most trusted source of routing information. In contrast, routes learned from different routing protocols have higher administrative distances, reflecting their relative trustworthiness.

The ideal access switch for a large hospital with distribution racks of over 400 ports in a single VSF stack is the CX 6300. This switch provides the following benefits:

The CX 6300 supports up to 48 ports per switch and up to 10 switches per VSF stack, allowing for a total of 480 ports in a single stack. This meets the requirement of having over 400 ports in a single VSF stack.

The CX 6300 supports high-performance switching with up to 960 Gbps of switching capacity and up to 714 Mpps of forwarding rate. This meets the requirement of having high throughput and low latency for mobile equipment and patient data.

The CX 6300 supports advanced features such as dynamic segmentation, policy-based routing, and role-based access control. These features enhance the security and flexibility of the network by applying different policies and roles to different types of devices and users.

The CX 6300 supports Aruba NetEdit, a network configuration and orchestration tool that simplifies the management and automation of the network. This reduces the complexity and human errors involved in network configuration and maintenance.

The other options are not ideal because:

OCX 6400: This switch is designed for data center applications and does not support VSF stacking. It also does not support dynamic segmentation or policy-based routing, which are useful for network security and flexibility.

OCX 6200: This switch is designed for small to medium-sized businesses and does not support VSF stacking. It also has lower switching capacity and forwarding rate than the CX 6300, which may affect the performance of the network.

OCX 6100: This switch is designed for edge applications and does not support VSF stacking. It also has lower switching capacity and forwarding rate than the CX 6300, which may affect the performance of the network.

References: https://www.arubanetworks.com/assets/ds/DS_CX6300Series.pdf https://www.arubanetworks.com/assets/ds/DS_OC6400Series.pdf https://www.arubanetworks.com/assets/ds/DS_OC6200Series.pdf https://www.arubanetworks.com/assets/ds/DS_OC6100Series.pdf

In the context of Aruba networks, a Microbranch environment is managed using a group persona that aligns with the functionality required. ArubaOS 10 Branch Gateway Group Persona would be the correct device type and group persona for managing a Microbranch environment, as it would provide the necessary features and controls for branch networking requirements.

An AP signal strength of .0000001 milliwatts is equivalent to -80 dBm. The dBm scale is logarithmic, with every 10 dBm representing a tenfold increase or decrease in power. A signal strength of 1 milliwatt (mW) is 0 dBm, so a signal strength of .0000001 mW is 80 decibels less than 1 mW, which is -80 dBm.

The correct way to configure the routable interface for the subnet to be associated with this VLAN is to create an SVI Switched Virtual Interface (SVI) Switched Virtual Interface (SVI) is a virtual interface on a switch that represents a VLAN and provides Layer 3 routing functions for that VLAN . SVIs are used to enable inter-VLAN routing , provide gateway addresses for hosts in VLANs , apply ACLs or QoS policies to VLANs , etc . SVIs have some advantages over physical routed interfaces such as saving interface ports , reducing cable costs , simplifying network design , etc . SVIs are usually numbered according to their VLAN IDs (e.g., vlan 10) and assigned IP addresses within the subnet of their VLANs . SVIs can be created and configured by using commandssuch as interface vlan , ip address , no shutdown , etc . SVIs can be verified by using commands such as show ip interface brief , show vlan , show ip route , etc . in the subnet on the 6300M stack. An SVI is a virtual interface on a switch that represents a VLAN and provides Layer 3 routing functions for that VLAN. Creating an SVI in the subnet on the 6300M stack allows the switch to act as a gateway for the users in that VLAN and enable inter-VLAN routing between different subnets. Creating an SVI in the subnet on the 6300M stack also simplifies network design and management by reducing the number of physical interfaces and cables required for routing.

The other options are not correct ways to configure the routable interface for the subnet to be associated with this VLAN because:

Create a physically routed interface in the subnet on the 6300M stack for each downstream switch: This option is incorrect because creating a physically routed interface in the subnet on the 6300M stack for each downstream switch would require using one physical port and cable per downstream switch, which would consume interface resources and increase cable costs. Creating a physically routed interface in the subnet on the 6300M stack for each downstream switch would also complicate network design and management by requiring separate routing configurations and policies for each interface.

Create an SVl in the subnet on each downstream switch: This option is incorrect because creating an SVI in the subnet on each downstream switch would not enable inter-VLAN routing between different subnets, as each downstream switch would act as a gateway for its own VLAN only. Creating an SVI in the subnet on each downstream switch would also create duplicate IP addresses in the same subnet, which would cause IP conflicts and routing errors.

Create an SVl in the subnet on the 6300M stack, and assign the management address of each downstream switch stack to a different IP address in the same subnet: This option is incorrect because creating an SVI in the subnet on the 6300M stack, and assigning the management address of each downstream switch stack to a different IP address in the same subnet would not enable inter-VLAN routing between different subnets, as each downstream switch would still act as a gateway for its own VLAN only. Creating an SVI in the subnet on the 6300M stack, and assigning the management address of each downstream switch stack to a different IP address in the same subnet would also create unnecessary IP addresses in the same subnet, which would waste IP space and complicate network management.

References: https://www.arubanetworks.com/techdocs/AOS-CX/10.05/HTML/5200-7295/index.html https://www.arubanetworks.com/techdocs/AOS-CX/10.05/HTML/5200-7295/cx-noscg/l3-routing/l3-routing-overview.htm https://www.arubanetworks.com/techdocs/AOS-CX/10.05/HTML/5200-7295/cx-noscg/l3-routing/l3-routing-config.htm

A screenshot of a computer Description automatically generated

 EAP-TLS is an authentication method that requires client certificates when authenticating to the network. It provides mutual authentication between the client and the server using public key cryptography and digital certificates. References:https://www.arubanetworks.com/techdocs/ClearPass/6.9/Guest/Content/CPPM_UserGuide/EAP-TLS/EAP-TLS.htm

EAP-TLS (Extensible Authentication Protocol-Transport Layer Security) is an EAP method that requires both server-side and client-side certificates for authentication. It is considered one of the most secure EAP methods because it uses a mutual authentication process where both the user and the authentication server must prove their identities to each other through the use of certificates. Implementing user and device certificates via a Group Based Policy (GPO) aligns well with EAP-TLS requirements for client-side certificates.

Multiple Pre-Shared Key (MPSK) is a feature that allows device-specific or group-specific passphrases to securely add headless devices to the WLAN Wireless Local Area Network. WLAN is a wireless computer network that links two or more devices using wireless communication to form a local area network (LAN) within a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, campus, or office building. . MPSK enhances the WPA2 PSK Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 Pre-Shared Key. WPA2 PSK is a method of securing your network using WPA2 with the use of the optional Pre-Shared Key (PSK) authentication, which was designed for home users without an enterprise authentication server. mode by allowing different PSKs for different devices on the same SSID Service Set Identifier. SSID is a case-sensitive, 32 alphanumeric character unique identifier attached to the header of packets sent over a wireless local-area network (WLAN). The SSID acts as a password when a mobile device tries to connect to the basic service set (BSS) — a component of the IEEE 802.11 WLAN architecture. . MPSK passwords can be generated or user-created and are managed by ClearPass Policy Manager12. References: 1 https://blogs.arubanetworks.com/solutions/simplify-iot-authentication-with-multiple-pre-shared-keys/  2 https://www.arubanetworks.com/techdocs/ClearPass/6.8/Guest/Content/AdministrationTasks1/Configuring-MPSK.htm

The field in a Layer 3 IPv4 packet header that is used to mitigate Layer 3 route loops is Time To Live (TTL). TTL is an 8-bit field that indicates the maximum number of hops that a packet can traverse before being discarded. TTL is set by the source device and decremented by one by each router that forwards the packet. If TTL reaches zero, the packet is dropped and an ICMP Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) is a network protocol that provides error reporting and diagnostic functions for IP networks. ICMP is used to send messages such as echo requests and replies (ping), destination unreachable, time exceeded, parameter problem, source quench, redirect, etc. ICMP messages are encapsulated in IP datagrams and have a specific format that contains fields such as type, code, checksum, identifier, sequence number, data, etc. ICMP messages can be verified by using commands such as ping , traceroute , debug ip icmp , etc . message is sent back to the source device. TTL is used to mitigate Layer 3 route loops because it prevents packets from circulating indefinitely in a looped network topology. TTL also helps to conserve network resources and avoid congestion caused by looped packets.

The other options are not fields in a Layer 3 IPv4 packet header because:

Checksum: Checksum is a 16-bit field that is used to verify the integrity of the IP header. Checksum is calculated by the source device and verified by the destination device based on the values of all fields in the IP header. Checksum does not mitigate Layer 3 route loops because it does not limit the number of hops that a packet can traverse.

Protocol: Protocol is an 8-bit field that indicates the type of payload carried by the IP datagram. Protocol identifies the upper-layer protocol that uses IP for datatransmission, such as TCP Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is a connection-oriented transport layer protocol that provides reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of data between applications on different devices . TCP uses a three-way handshake to establish a connection between two endpoints , and uses sequence numbers , acknowledgments , and windowing to ensure data delivery and flow control . TCP also uses mechanisms such as retransmission , congestion avoidance , and fast recovery to handle packet loss and congestion . TCP segments data into smaller units called segments , which are encapsulated in IP datagrams and have a specific format that contains fields such as source port , destination port , sequence number , acknowledgment number , header length , flags , window size , checksum , urgent pointer , options , data , etc . TCP segments can be verified by using commands such as telnet , ftp , ssh , debug ip tcp transactions , etc . , UDP User Datagram Protocol (UDP) User Datagram Protocol (UDP) is a connectionless transport layer protocol that provides

EAP-TEAP is a tunnel-based authentication method that supports both device and user authentication within a single RADIUS session. ClearPass 6.9 supports EAP-TEAP as an authentication method for Windows 10 clients.References:https://www.arubanetworks.com/techdocs/ClearPass/6.9/Guest/Content/CPPM_UserGuide/EAP-TEAP/EAP-TEAP.htm

For the requirement to authorize both device and user credentials within one Radius session, the correct solution would be ClearPass 6.9 with EAP-TEAP (EAP-Tunneled Extensible Authentication Protocol). EAP-TEAP is a tunneling protocol that creates a secure communication channel between the client and the server, allowing for the transmission of multiple authentication transactions within a single session. This capability is particularly useful in scenarios where both user and device credentials need to be verified before granting access to network resources, providing an additional layer of security and ensuring that both the user and the device are authorized to access the network.

A static route is a route that is manually configured on a router or switch and does not change unless it is modified by an administrator. Static routes are used to specify how traffic should reach specific destinations that are not directly connected to the device or that are not reachable by dynamic routing protocols. In Aruba CX switches, static routes can be configured using the ip route command in global configuration mode. Based on the “show ip route” output on an Aruba CX 8400 switch, the route “10.1 20 0/24, vrf default via 10.1.12.2, [1/0]” is a static route because it has an administrative distance of 1 and a metric of 0, which are typical values for static routes. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Static_routing https://www.arubanetworks.com/techdocs/AOS-CX_10_04/NOSCG/Content/cx-noscg/ip-routing/static-routes.htm https://www.arubanetworks.com/techdocs/AOS-CX_10_04/NOSCG/Content/cx-noscg/ip-routing/show-ip-route.htm

OAlOps is a feature of Aruba Central that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to identify recommended steps to resolve network health issues and allows you to share detailed information with support personnel. OAlOps provides insights into network performance, root cause analysis, anomaly detection, proactive alerts, and automated remediation actions. OAlOps also integrates with Aruba User Experience Insight (UXI) sensors to measure and improve user experience across wired and wireless networks. References:https://www.arubanetworks.com/assets/ds/DS_ArubaCentral.pdf

For "headless" devices that lack 802.1X support, Multi-Preshared Keys (mPSK) provide a more secure alternative to WPA2-Personal, which uses a single preshared key. mPSK allows for the assignment of unique PSKs to devices or groups of devices, which enhances security by not sharing a single PSK across multiple devices.