CREST Practitioner Security Analyst (CPSA) Practice

Which server role is referred to as the Master Browser in a network?

1. The server that manages user permissions

2. The server that stores configuration settings

3. The server present on every subnet needed for a routed TCP/IP network

4. The server that maintains domain trust relationships

The correct answer is: The server present on every subnet needed for a routed TCP/IP network

The correct choice designates the server functioning as the Master Browser, which is vital in the context of network management, specifically within a Windows networking environment. The Master Browser plays a key role in maintaining an up-to-date list of all the computers on the network, enabling seamless resource discovery and accessibility across different subnetworks, particularly in situations where TCP/IP routing is employed. In a segmented network with multiple subnets, the Master Browser on each subnet collects and disseminates information about the active hosts and their resources. This ensures that devices on various subnets can discover each other and access shared resources efficiently. This role is crucial in environments where workstations and servers are frequently added or removed, as the Master Browser facilitates visibility among devices without requiring manual updates. The other roles described do not align with the responsibilities of the Master Browser. A server managing user permissions pertains to access control, a server storing configuration settings relates to maintaining configurations across devices, and a server maintaining domain trust relationships focuses on inter-domain communications within Active Directory. None of these roles involve the discovery and enumeration aspects crucial to the Master Browser's function in a network.