802.1Q tagging, also known as VLAN tagging, is used to identify VLANs on a trunk link between switches. This allows the switches to transfer data for multiple VLANs (or networks) over a single physical connection. This method ensures that traffic from different VLANs is properly separated and managed across the network.
Reference: CompTIA Network+ study materials.

The address range 224.0.0.0/24 falls within the Class D IP address range (224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255), which is reserved for multicast traffic. Multicast addresses are used for the delivery of information to multiple destinations simultaneously, making them ideal for applications like audio and video broadcasting. The other options (172.16.0.0/24, 192.168.0.0/24, and 240.0.0.0/24) are not suitable for multicast as they are within different IP ranges used for other purposes (private addressing and future use, respectively).
Reference: CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives - IP Addressing section.

To implement data loss prevention (DLP) and restrict user access to social media platforms and personal cloud storage, the company should deploy content filtering. Content filtering examines the data being transmitted over the network and can block specific types of content or websites based on predefined policies. This type of filtering is effective in preventing access to specific web services and ensuring that sensitive information does not leave the network through unauthorized channels. Port, DNS, and MAC filtering serve different purposes and are not as effective for DLP in this context.
Reference: CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Objectives - Network Security section.

Understanding the 169.254.x.x Address:
An IPv4 address in the range of 169.254.x.x is an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address, assigned when a DHCP server is unavailable.
DHCP Server Offline:
APIPA Assignment: When a device cannot obtain an IP address from a DHCP server, it assigns itself an APIPA address to enable local network communication. This allows communication with other devices on the same local subnet but not with external networks.
Resolution: Ensure the DHCP server is operational. Check for connectivity issues between the virtual machine and the DHCP server, and verify the DHCP server settings.
Comparison with Other Options:
The subnet mask is incorrect: The subnet mask 255.255.0.0 is appropriate for the 169.254.x.x range and does not prevent external access by itself.
The IP address is an RFC1918 private address: RFC1918 addresses are private IP ranges (10.x.x.x, 172.16.x.x-172.31.x.x, 192.168.x.x) but 169.254.x.x is not one of them.
The DNS server is unreachable: While this could affect name resolution, it would not prevent the assignment of a non-APIPA address or local network communication.
Troubleshooting Steps:
Verify the DHCP server's status and connectivity.
Restart the DHCP service if necessary.
Renew the IP lease on the virtual machine using commands such as ipconfig /renew (Windows) or dhclient (Linux).
Reference:
CompTIA Network+ study materials on IP addressing and DHCP troubleshooting.

Explanation: MTTR (Mean Time to Repair) is the average time it takes to repair a system or service after a failure. It helps in measuring the downtime and planning recovery processes.