Question

Difficulty: MediumWindows Client Networking Configuration

A help desk technician is setting up a specialized Windows 11 workstation connected to an isolated laboratory network. According to organizational security policy, the workstation must communicate with local devices on the 10.1.5.0/24 subnet, must be prevented from attempting to route any traffic outside of its local network segment, and must keep network discovery disabled to remain hidden from other endpoints on the local segment.

Which TWO configuration actions should the technician perform to meet these requirements? (Select TWO.)

  1. Configure a static IPv4 address and subnet mask on the ethernet adapter properties while leaving the default gateway field blankAnswer
  2. Set the network location profile for this network connection to Public within Windows Network & internet settingsAnswer
  3. C
    Uncheck the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) component in the network adapter properties menu
  4. D
    Open Credential Manager in Control Panel and set the default authentication profile to Blocked

Answer

The technician should configure a static IPv4 address and subnet mask while leaving the default gateway empty, and set the network location profile to Public.
Leaving the default gateway address field blank ensures that the Windows host will not send traffic off the local 10.1.5.0/24 subnet. Additionally, designating the network connection as Public in Windows settings activates the restrictive network profile that turns off network discovery and file sharing.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify how to restrict network communication strictly to the local subnet on a Windows client.
Leaving the default gateway unconfigured prevents the host from attempting to forward packets to remote subnets or internet destinations.
The default gateway provides the IP address of the local router used to reach outside networks.
2
Identify how to disable network discovery and hide the endpoint on the local segment.
Configuring the network location profile as Public disables network discovery and network file/printer sharing by default.
Windows network location profiles (Private vs. Public) govern Windows Firewall rules and discovery behaviors for connected interfaces.

Key Concept

Windows client IP address properties and network location profile settings
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