The problem is highly specific, occurring only when printing a particular report from a custom application. The technician has already performed standard troubleshooting steps for the operating system's printing subsystem, such as clearing the print spooler and reinstalling the correct manufacturer drivers, which did not resolve the issue. This process of elimination strongly suggests the fault lies with the source of the print job itself. A bug in the custom application is likely generating a malformed or incompatible print job for that specific report, which subsequently causes the Windows print spooler service to crash.

A. Printer manufacturers do not "curate content" in a way that would cause a system service like the print spooler to crash for a specific report.

C. A conflict between PostScript and PCL would likely affect more than one specific report and should have been resolved by reinstalling the correct manufacturer driver.

D. User preferences regarding online document viewing are a workflow choice and are not a technical cause for the print spooler service to fail.

1. Microsoft Corporation. (2023). Print Spooler Architecture. Microsoft Learn. In the "Print Clients" section

it is detailed that applications (print clients) initiate the print process by creating a print job. A flaw in how an application generates this job can lead to failures in downstream components like the spooler. This supports the conclusion that the application is the likely source of the malformed data causing the crash. (Document ID: 2c8a8287-7252-4348-8b8b-8a6b3553c5d2

Section: Print Clients).

2. University of Washington

UW-IT. (n.d.). Troubleshooting printing problems. IT Connect. The guide outlines a standard diagnostic procedure

which includes determining if the problem is specific to one application. It states

"If the printing problem is limited to a particular document or application

the cause of the problem may be the document or application." This principle directly applies to the scenario

pointing to the custom application as the most probable cause. (Section: "Is the problem specific to a particular document or application?").

The scenario indicates a power issue with a Power over Ethernet (PoE) device. While a laptop confirms data link activity on the switchport, it does not test for PoE because laptops are not typically powered via Ethernet. A dedicated cable tester with PoE verification capabilities is the appropriate tool. Such a device can connect to the cable and measure the voltage and wattage being supplied by the switch, confirming whether the power required by the phone is available and compliant with the relevant IEEE 802.3 standard (e.g., 802.3af, 802.3at).

A. Network tap: This is a passive hardware device used for monitoring and capturing network traffic; it does not test for electrical power.

C. Loopback plug: This tool is used to test the send/receive functionality of a network interface or switchport, not for verifying external power delivery like PoE.

D. Toner probe: This tool is used with a tone generator to physically trace and identify a specific cable within a bundle or at a patch panel.

---

1. Official Vendor Documentation: Fluke Networks

a leading manufacturer of network testing equipment

specifies the function of its testers. The documentation for the LinkIQ™ Cable+Network Tester states it can "verify power delivery from a switch by loading the connection to measure the voltage and wattage of Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) being delivered."

Source: Fluke Networks

"LinkIQ™ Cable+Network Tester Datasheet

" (2021)

Page 1

"PoE Verification" section.

2. University Courseware: Educational materials from university IT departments describe the functions of standard networking tools. These resources often categorize PoE testing as a function of advanced cable testers.

Source: Indiana University

University Information Technology Services (UITS) Knowledge Base

"Network troubleshooting tools

" Document ID: aiop. This document lists "Power over Ethernet (PoE) availability" as a feature that a cable tester can check.

3. Peer-Reviewed Academic Publication (Standard): The IEEE standard for Ethernet defines the electrical characteristics of PoE. A tool designed to test PoE availability must be able to measure these specific parameters.

Source: IEEE Std 802.3-2018

"IEEE Standard for Ethernet

" Section 3

Clause 33

"Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) Power via Media Dependent Interface (MDI)." This clause specifies the voltage and current requirements that a PoE tester would verify.

The question specifies that the Internet Service Provider (ISP) uses DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification). This is the international standard for transmitting data over coaxial cable television systems. A cable modem is the specific network hardware required to modulate and demodulate signals for this type of infrastructure. It acts as the essential demarcation point, translating the signal from the ISP's coaxial cable line into an Ethernet connection that can be used by the SOHO Local Area Network (LAN). Therefore, it must be installed between the ISP's service line and the internal LAN.

A. Switch: A switch connects devices within a LAN to each other; it does not interface with the external ISP network.

B. Firewall: A firewall is a security system. While often integrated into modems or routers, it is a function, not the primary device for signal conversion.

D. Router: A router connects the LAN to the external network and manages traffic, but the cable modem is the device that specifically handles the DOCSIS signal.

E. Access point: An access point provides wireless (Wi-Fi) access to devices on the LAN and does not connect directly to the ISP.

1. CableLabs. (n.d.). What is DOCSIS Technology? Cable Television Laboratories

Inc. Retrieved from https://www.cablelabs.com/technologies/docsis.

Reference Detail: In the "How it Works" section

the document states

"A DOCSIS network includes two primary components: a cable modem (CM) located at the customer premise and a cable modem termination system (CMTS) located at the cable operator’s headend." This establishes the cable modem as the essential customer-premises device for a DOCSIS network.

2. Kurose

J. F.

& Ross

K. W. (2021). Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach (8th ed.). Pearson.

Reference Detail: In Chapter 1

Section 1.3.2

"Access Networks

" the text describes Cable Internet Access: "The cable modem is an external device and connects to the home PC through an Ethernet port... The cable modem connects to the cable headend via a shared broadcast medium." This university-level textbook identifies the cable modem as the device connecting the home network to the cable provider's infrastructure.

A sandbox is an isolated security environment designed to execute untrusted code or analyze potentially malicious files without risk to the host system or network. A fundamental principle of a security-focused sandbox is containment, which often involves disabling or strictly controlling network access. By configuring a virtual machine as a sandbox with no network adapter or by placing it on an isolated virtual network with no gateway, it is effectively prevented from communicating with any external endpoints on the local network or the internet. This ensures that any malware being analyzed cannot spread or communicate with its command-and-control server.

A. VDI: Virtual Desktop Infrastructure is a technology for hosting and managing user desktops on a central server; it inherently requires network connectivity for users to access their virtual desktops.

B. Private cloud: This is a cloud deployment model for a single organization. Virtual machines within a private cloud are typically networked to provide services and may have internet access.

D. Type 1 hypervisor: A Type 1 hypervisor runs directly on the host hardware to manage virtual machines. It facilitates and manages VM networking through virtual switches, but does not inherently prevent it.

1. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2020). NIST Special Publication 800-53

Revision 5: Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations. In section SC-7

Boundary Protection

the concept of isolating system components is discussed

which is the principle behind sandboxing. The NIST Glossary defines a sandbox as "A restricted

controlled execution environment

" which in a security context implies network isolation. (See: NIST CSRC Glossary

"sandbox").

2. Parno

B.

& Perrig

A. (2005). Challenges in Building a Sandboxed System. Carnegie Mellon University

School of Computer Science. This paper discusses the design of sandboxed systems

where a key challenge and feature is mediating and restricting access to external resources

including the network. (See: Section 2

"Goals of a Sandbox").

3. Boneh

D.

& Mazières

D. (2022). CS 155: Computer and Network Security

Lecture 15: Sandboxing and Isolation. Stanford University. Course materials describe sandboxing as a mechanism to confine the execution of a program

with techniques including system call interposition to block or modify network access requests

thereby preventing communication. (See: Slide deck for Lecture 15

"Sandboxing and Isolation").

Secure Shell (SSH) is a cryptographic network protocol designed for operating network services securely over an unsecured network. Its primary use is for secure remote login and command-line execution on network devices like routers, switches, and servers. SSH establishes an encrypted channel between the client and the server, ensuring that all data, including login credentials and console commands, is protected from eavesdropping and tampering. This directly fulfills the requirement to encrypt all data communications when logging into a device's console.

B. LDAP: Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) is used for accessing and maintaining directory information services, not for remote console login on network devices.

C. FTPS: File Transfer Protocol Secure (FTPS) is a protocol used exclusively for secure file transfers, not for interactive console sessions or device management.

D. SMTP: Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is the standard protocol for sending electronic mail and is not used for remote device administration.

1. Ylonen

T.

& Lonvick

C. (Eds.). (2006). The Secure Shell (SSH) Protocol Architecture. IETF RFC 4251. Section 1

Introduction. "The Secure Shell (SSH) is a protocol for secure remote login and other secure network services over an insecure network." Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.17487/RFC4251

2. Cisco Systems

Inc. (2023). Secure Shell Configuration Guide

Cisco IOS XE Gibraltar 16.12.x. Chapter: Configuring Secure Shell. "Secure Shell (SSH) is a protocol that provides a secure

remote connection to a device... SSH provides a more secure alternative to Telnet for remote management."

3. Saltzer

J. H.

& Kaashoek

M. F. (2009). Principles of Computer System Design: An Introduction. Morgan Kaufmann. Chapter 9.4.2

Secure Shell (SSH). "SSH provides a secure channel over an unsecured network in a client-server architecture

connecting an SSH client application with an SSH server. Common applications include remote command-line

login

and remote command execution..." (This is a widely used textbook in university computer science curricula

including at MIT).

The smudging issue is a direct symptom of a failing fuser. The fuser assembly uses heat and pressure to permanently bond the toner powder to the paper. When it malfunctions or reaches the end of its service life, it cannot apply sufficient heat, causing the toner to remain unfused and smudge easily upon touch.

The paper jam, occurring specifically when printing legal-sized documents from Tray 3, points to worn-out rollers in that particular tray. The pickup and feed rollers are responsible for grabbing a single sheet of paper and feeding it into the printer. When they become worn and lose their grip, they fail to feed the paper correctly, resulting in jams before the printing process begins. Replacing these two specific components resolves both reported issues.

HP Inc. (2023). HP LaserJet Pro - Resolving Print Quality Issues. HP Customer Support. In the section "Toner smears or does not stay on the paper (unfused)," the primary recommended solution is to check and replace the fuser if it is near the end of its service life or damaged. The document also links paper jams from a specific tray to issues with the paper pickup rollers for that tray.

Brooks, C. J. (2022). A+ Guide to IT Technical Support (11th ed.). Cengage Learning. In Chapter 15, "Supporting Printers," the laser printing process is detailed. The "Fusing" step (Step 6) explains that heat and pressure are applied to melt the toner onto the page. The troubleshooting section confirms that unfused toner (smudging) is caused by a fuser problem. The same chapter identifies worn pickup rollers as the primary cause of paper failing to feed from a specific tray.

Meyers, M. (2022). Mike Meyers' CompTIA A+ Certification Passport (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill. Chapter 14, "Printers and Multifunction Devices," describes common printer problems. It explicitly states, "If the toner rubs off the paper too easily, you have a fuser problem." For paper handling issues, it identifies worn-out pickup rollers as the cause for a printer failing to pick up paper from a tray.

This configuration establishes a typical SOHO network. The coaxial cable carries the broadband internet signal from the ISP's wall outlet to the cable modem. The modem modulates this signal into a digital format usable for networking. An Ethernet cable then connects the modem to the router's WAN (Wide Area Network) port, providing the entire network with an internet connection. The router's LAN (Local Area Network) ports distribute this connection to local devices, such as the PC. The router's Phone Service port provides a dial tone for the POTS phone using VoIP (Voice over IP) technology, which requires an RJ11 phone cable for the final connection.

Kurose, J. F., & Ross, K. W. (2021). Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach (8th ed.). Pearson.

Chapter 1, Section 1.3: Describes the network edge, including home access networks that utilize a cable modem connected to a head end via coaxial cable and a router for managing the home network.

IEEE Standards Association. (2018). IEEE Standard for Ethernet (IEEE Std 802.3-2018).

Clause 40: Specifies the physical layer for 1000BASE-T, which utilizes twisted-pair cabling terminated with 8-position, 8-contact (8P8C, commonly known as RJ45) modular connectors for local area network connections like the one between the router and PC.

Cisco Networking Academy. (2020). CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide, Volume 1. Cisco Press.

Chapter 2, "Fundamentals of Ethernet LANs": Details the use of Unshielded Twisted-Pair (UTP) cabling with RJ45 connectors for Ethernet LANs. It also distinguishes between WAN and LAN ports on a router, specifying that the WAN port connects to the internet source (the modem).

The simulation requires matching cable types with their appropriate connectors and termination tools.

1. The top cable is a flat two-wire cable, commonly used for telephone lines. It terminates with an RJ11 connector, which is attached using a standard modular Crimper.
2. The middle cable is a multi-strand fiber optic cable, identifiable by its numerous thin glass fibers. The LC (Lucent Connector) is a common small form-factor connector for fiber. An Optical Crimper is used to secure the connector to the cable's strength members.
3. The bottom cable is a standard multi-pair UTP (Unshielded Twisted-Pair) cable used for Ethernet. It requires an RJ45 connector, which is also attached using a standard modular Crimper. The punchdown tool is used for terminating wires in a patch panel or keystone jack, not for attaching a connector to a cable end.

Kurose, J. F., & Ross, K. W. (2021). Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach (8th ed.). Pearson.

Section 1.3.1, Network Edge: Describes end systems and access networks, including twisted-pair copper wire (used with RJ45 and RJ11) and fiber optics (used with connectors like LC) as physical media.

Telecommunications Industry Association. (2012). TIA-568-C.2: Balanced Twisted-Pair Telecommunications Cabling and Components Standard.

Section 5.2: Specifies the characteristics and termination for 8-position modular connectors, known commercially as RJ45 plugs, on balanced twisted-pair cabling.

Shotwell, R. A. (2013). Electrical and Electronic Systems in Agriculture. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE).

Chapter 11, Section: Fiber Optic Cables, pp. 192-193: Describes fiber optic cables and connectors, mentioning the Lucent Connector (LC) as a popular type. It also details the termination process, which includes crimping the connector body onto the cable's outer jacket and strength members.

Department of the Army. (2003). Technical Manual TM 11-5990-281-14: Fiber Optic Cable Assembly Repair.

Section 2-5, Paragraph g: Details the procedure for crimping fiber optic connectors, stating "Slide the crimp sleeve over the cable strength member and onto the connector crimp stem. Using the fiber optic crimp tool, crimp the sleeve to the connector." This validates the use of an optical crimper for fiber termination.

Two separate disk issues must be addressed.

First, Server 2's RAID-5 array is in a "Degraded" state, which indicates a complete drive failure. This is the primary cause of the reported performance issues, as the system must perform real-time data reconstruction using parity. The original failed drive was a 2TB, 7200rpm SAS HDD. Since an identical replacement is not available, the best option is the 4TB SAS 15k rpm drive. RAID controllers require replacement drives to have the same interface (SAS) and be of equal or greater capacity. The controller will partition the new drive to match the 2TB size of the others in the array.

Second, Server 1 has a disk (Physical disk 1:2) with a "Failure predicted" status. This is a S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) alert indicating imminent failure. This drive must be proactively replaced to prevent Server 1 from also entering a degraded state. The existing drives are 4TB, 15k rpm SAS HDDs, and an identical replacement is available.

Patterson, D. A., & Hennessy, J. L. (2017). Computer Organization and Design RISC-V Edition. Morgan Kaufmann. Chapter 5 discusses RAID levels, noting that RAID-5 can withstand a single failure but operates in a degraded mode with significant performance loss until the failed disk is replaced and the array is rebuilt.

Hamerly, G., & Elkan, C. (2001). Bayesian approaches to failure prediction for disk drives. In Eighteenth International Conference on Machine Learning, 205-212. This paper discusses the use of S.M.A.R.T. attributes for predicting drive failures, validating the "Failure predicted" warning as an actionable alert.

Silberschatz, A., Galvin, P. B., & Gagne, G. (2018). Operating System Concepts (10th ed.). Wiley. In the chapter on Mass-Storage Systems, the principles of RAID management are detailed. It is established practice when replacing a failed drive in an array to use a drive of the same type and with a capacity equal to or greater than the failed drive to ensure compatibility for the array rebuild process.

The diagnoses are based on visual evidence and standard hardware troubleshooting procedures.

• Swollen Battery & Overheating: A swollen battery indicates critical internal failure and is a safety hazard requiring immediate replacement. Similarly, a device that chronically overheats under normal conditions, as shown by the temperature warning, likely has a hardware fault necessitating replacement.
• Boot & Performance Issues: The "Operating System not found" error points directly to a failure to locate the boot partition, which is typically resolved by correcting the boot order in the BIOS. System instability during startup (POST screen) is a common symptom of overheating caused by overclocking; disabling it can restore stability. A complete failure to power on (black screen) after ruling out charging issues points to a failed battery.
• Display Artifacts: Each display issue has a distinct cause and solution. A "no signal" error is most commonly a Wrong input selected, fixed by cycling through the monitor's inputs. A Fuzzy image from a projector is often due to a dirty lens. Keystoning is a specific trapezoidal distortion corrected by adjusting the projector's angle settings. Finally, Burn-in is permanent pixel degradation, making replacement the only solution.

Swollen Battery: Hess, S., et al. (2013). "Lithium-Ion Battery Safety," IEEE Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine, 16(5), pp. 13-14. DOI: 10.1109/MIM.2013.6617424 (Discusses failure modes of Li-ion batteries, including swelling due to gas generation, which necessitates decommissioning the cell).

Overheating: Intel Corporation. (2022). "Overheating Symptoms and Troubleshooting for Intel® Boxed Processors." Document ID: 000005593. (States that overheating can cause system shutdowns or errors. While not mentioning POST specifically, it aligns with instability. Disabling performance tuning like overclocking is a recommended step).

Boot Partition Error: Microsoft Corporation. (2023). "Use Bootrec.exe in the Windows RE to troubleshoot startup issues." Microsoft Learn. (While detailing the bootrec tool, the documentation implicitly confirms that boot configuration, managed at a pre-OS level like the BIOS/UEFI, is the source of "operating system not found" errors).

Keystoning: S. K. Nayar, et al. (1995). "A non-metric calibration technique." Proceedings of IEEE Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, pp. 343-344. DOI: 10.1109/CVPR.1995.466927. (Describes the geometric principles behind projective distortion, of which keystoning is a primary example, and how it is corrected by transforming the image plane).

Burn-in: Y. C. Chen, et al. (2006). "Image Sticking Model for a-Si and LTPS AMLCDs." Journal of the Society for Information Display, 14(9), pp. 803-810. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1889/1.2345189. (Explains the physical mechanisms of image sticking, or burn-in, as a result of prolonged stress on pixels, confirming its nature as permanent or semi-permanent degradation).