CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

What functionality do network interfaces use to automatically correct reversed transmit and receive connections in fiber?

1. Auto-MDIX

2. Signal boosting

3. Data rate adjustment

4. Echo cancellation

The correct answer is: Auto-MDIX

The correct functionality for automatically correcting reversed transmit and receive connections in fiber is the auto-MDIX feature. This capability allows network interfaces to detect and automatically adjust the configuration of their ports to ensure proper operation, regardless of how a network cable is oriented or connected. In the context of fiber connections, while auto-MDIX is generally associated with Ethernet copper connections, the underlying concept is similar. Auto-MDIX identifies the cable types (straight-through or crossover) and makes the necessary adjustments, ensuring that transmit and receive pairs are correctly aligned, which is vital in maintaining reliable communication over the network. Signal boosting, data rate adjustment, and echo cancellation are functionalities related to signal integrity and transmission quality, but they do not specifically address the issue of incorrect cable connections. Signal boosting amplifies the signal for longer distances, data rate adjustment pertains to synchronizing data transfer speeds, and echo cancellation helps eliminate feedback in voice communications. None of these features deal directly with the automatic correction of cable connection orientations, making auto-MDIX the most suitable answer in this context.