Which area/aspect of network management deals with repair and upkeep of network components?

• A. Network Maintenance
• B. Administration/Accounts
• C. Layer 4 - Endpoint Security
• D. Layer 7 - The 'Human' or Physical Layer

Answer: (A)

Repair and upkeep of network components is addressed by network maintenance. This area covers keeping hardware, cabling, and devices functioning through preventive care, troubleshooting, replacing faulty parts, applying firmware and software updates, and coordinating planned downtime. All of these activities aim to preserve reliability and performance by addressing wear, failures, and degradation before they impact users.

Administrative tasks focus on users and access controls, so they aren’t about maintaining the hardware or links. Security at Layer 4 deals with protecting data in transit, not the ongoing repair and upkeep of components. The physical or “human” layer concerns the physical environment and human factors, rather than the ongoing maintenance of equipment.