Explanation: To specify or modify the host name for the network server, use the hostname command in global configuration mode.

Explanation: The following table explains the output generated by ping:

! – reply received

. – timed out

U – unreachable

C – congestion

? – unknown packet type

& packet lifetime exceeded

Explanation: This MOTD banner is displayed to all terminals connected and is useful for sending messages that affect all users (such as impending system shutdowns). Use the no exec-banner or no motd-banner command to disable the MOTD banner on a line. The no exec-banner command also disables the EXEC banner on the line. When a user connects to the router, the MOTD banner appears before the login prompt. After the user logs in to the router, the EXEC banner or incoming banner will be displayed, depending on the type of connection. For a reverse Telnet login, the incoming banner will be displayed. For all other connections, the router will display the EXEC banner. Connection, Menu, and System Banner Commands

Explanation: The requirement of having to allocate 500 hosts on each subnet can be achieved by the following: 2^9 = 512. So deducting the broadcast and network address we have 510 possible hosts on each subnet. We used 9 bits to allocate the hosts, this leaves us 7 bits for possible subnets. Those 7 bits in binary is 1111 1110 or 254 in decimal.

Explanation: The switchport access vlan [number] command will configure a switch port to that VLAN. You can also use the switchport access vlan dynamic command to configure the switch port automatically in a certain VLAN depending on the VLAN membership of the incoming packets. For both commands to work properly the switch port needs to be in access mode

RIP version 1 and IGRP are classful protocols and do not advertise subnet mask information. RIP version 2 has a limited network diameter of 15 hops. EIGRP, OSPF, and IS-IS use computational intensive algorithms for determining a shortest path. BGP relies on simple techniques for best path selection and loop detection, and can handle the number of network prefixes required for Internet routing.

Unicast IP packets are forwarded based on the destination IP address. Multicast packets are forward based on the source IP address. If a multicast packet is received on the interface used to send a unicast packet back to the source, the multicast packet is forwarded to multicast neighbors. If the multicast packet is received on an interface that would not be used to send a unicast IP packet back to the source, the packet is discarded.