100-140 Question 121
Select 2A user reports that their desktop computer is not connecting to the network. Upon inspecting the network interface card (NIC), you notice the following: the link light is off, and the activity light is not blinking. Which of the following could be the cause of the issue? (Select TWO)
- A
The Ethernet cable is disconnected or damaged.
- B
The NIC is disabled in the operating system.
- C
The computer is in sleep mode.
- D
The router is powered off.
- E
The IP address is misconfigured.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answers: A, B
Explanation
The link light on a NIC indicates the physical connection to a network, while the activity light shows data transmission. If the link light is off, it typically points to issues with the Ethernet cable or the NIC itself, such as being disabled. Other factors, such as IP misconfiguration or a powered-off router, would not directly affect the physical link light.
- A. Correct.
If the Ethernet cable is disconnected or damaged, the NIC will not establish a connection, resulting in no link light.
- B. Correct.
If the NIC is disabled in the operating system, it will not function, which can cause the link light to remain off.
- C. Incorrect.
The computer being in sleep mode does not typically cause the link light to turn off, as the NIC may still maintain link activity in sleep states.
- D. Incorrect.
The router being powered off would not directly cause the NIC's link light to turn off unless it also affects the Ethernet cable connection.
- E. Incorrect.
An IP address misconfiguration would not affect the physical link light status of the NIC but would instead cause issues higher up in the networking stack.