220-1201 Practice Test 5 — 25 Questions

Question 1

A small office is upgrading from 100Base-TX to 1000Base-T. The existing cabling is Cat5e, runs are under 50 meters, and terminations are T568B. After the upgrade, some workstations intermittently lose connectivity. What is the most likely issue?

Accepted Answer

The terminations are not fully seated or have poor contact on some pairs.. This question tests understanding that Cat5e supports Gigabit Ethernet, but poor termination or cable damage can cause issues. The correct answer is that the terminations may have poor contact or are not fully inserted, as 1000Base-T uses all four pairs and is less tolerant of faults than 100Base-TX.

Answer

The cable runs are too long for 1000Base-T.

Answer

The T568B wiring standard is incompatible with 1000Base-T.

Answer

The network switch ports are set to 100 Mbps full duplex.

Question 2

A technician is installing a new VoIP phone for a user. The user's desk already has a Cat6 wall jack, but the phone requires both network connectivity and a separate power source. The technician has a limited number of power outlets nearby. What is the simplest solution?

Accepted Answer

Use a Power over Ethernet (PoE) injector between the wall jack and the phone.. This question tests knowledge of Power over Ethernet (PoE) as a cabling-related concept. The correct answer is to use a PoE switch or injector, which sends power over the Ethernet cable, eliminating the need for a separate power adapter.

Answer

Run a new power extension cord from the nearest outlet.

Answer

Replace the Cat6 cable with a USB-C cable for power.

Answer

Install a wireless bridge to eliminate the cable.

Question 3

A technician is troubleshooting a network drop that was working yesterday but now shows 'No Link' on the switch port. The cable run is through a conduit in the wall. The technician tests the cable with a continuity tester and finds that pins 1, 2, 3, and 6 are good, but pins 4, 5, 7, and 8 show no continuity. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The cable is cut or crushed in the conduit, breaking the secondary pairs.. This question tests understanding of Ethernet pinout and fault isolation. The correct answer is that the cable is likely damaged or broken on the pairs used for 1000Base-T (all four pairs), but 100Base-TX only uses pairs 1-2 and 3-6. The symptom indicates a break in the cable affecting the secondary pairs.

Answer

The cable is only Cat5 and cannot support Gigabit.

Answer

The cable has a short circuit between pins 4 and 5.

Answer

The wall jack is wired for T568A but the patch panel is T568B.

Question 4

A user reports that their desktop computer connected to the network via a 10-meter Cat6 cable keeps losing connectivity when they move their chair. The cable runs under the desk and is occasionally stepped on. What is the most likely issue?

Accepted Answer

The cable has been crushed or kinked from being stepped on.. This question tests basic troubleshooting for physical cable damage. The correct answer is that the cable is likely damaged from being stepped on, causing intermittent connectivity.

Answer

The cable is too long for reliable connectivity.

Answer

The cable is not shielded and picking up interference.

Answer

The network switch port is faulty.

Question 5

A technician is installing new cabling for a security camera system that uses PoE. The cameras are located 120 meters from the switch. The technician has Cat6 cable available. What should the technician do to ensure reliable operation?

Accepted Answer

Install a PoE extender or a switch at the 100-meter mark.. This question tests knowledge of Ethernet distance limits and solutions. The correct answer is to use a PoE extender or a switch at the midpoint, as 120 meters exceeds the 100-meter limit for Ethernet, and PoE may also have voltage drop issues.

Answer

Use a higher category cable like Cat6a to extend the distance.

Answer

Use a single-mode fiber optic cable instead.

Answer

The cable run is acceptable because Cat6 supports up to 150 meters.

Question 6

A technician is troubleshooting a network issue where a user's computer can access local resources but cannot reach the internet. The user's cable is connected to a wall jack that leads to a patch panel in the server room. The technician tests the cable and finds it is wired as a crossover cable. What is the most likely impact?

Accepted Answer

The crossover cable is not the cause of the internet issue.. This question tests understanding of crossover cables and modern networking. The correct answer is that most modern switches have Auto-MDIX, so a crossover cable may still work, but if the switch is older, it could cause connectivity issues. However, the symptom of local access but no internet suggests a different problem, so the crossover cable is likely not the issue.

Answer

The crossover cable will prevent any network connectivity.

Answer

The crossover cable will cause intermittent connectivity.

Answer

The crossover cable will only work at 100 Mbps.

Question 7

A technician is installing a new server in a data center and needs to connect it to a 10GbE switch. The server has an SFP+ port, and the switch also has SFP+ ports. The technician has a selection of cables: Cat6a, Cat7, multimode fiber with LC connectors, and single-mode fiber with SC connectors. Which cable should the technician use?

Accepted Answer

Multimode fiber patch cable with LC connectors.. This question tests knowledge of 10GbE connectivity options. The correct answer is multimode fiber with LC connectors, as SFP+ ports typically use fiber or DAC cables, and multimode fiber with LC is common for short-range 10GbE in data centers.

Answer

Cat6a cable with RJ45 connectors.

Answer

Cat7 cable with RJ45 connectors.

Answer

Single-mode fiber patch cable with SC connectors.

Question 8

A technician is troubleshooting a network drop where the link light on the switch port is solid but the computer shows 'Unidentified Network'. The cable run is 80 meters and uses Cat5e. The technician tests the cable and finds that pins 1 and 2 are swapped with pins 3 and 6 at one end. What is the most likely result?

Accepted Answer

The cable is wired as a crossover, which may cause the 'Unidentified Network' if Auto-MDIX is disabled.. This question tests understanding of Ethernet wiring errors. The correct answer is that a swap of pairs 1-2 and 3-6 creates a crossover cable, which may still work with Auto-MDIX, but if not, it can cause a 'No Link' or 'Unidentified Network' error.

Answer

The cable will work at 100 Mbps but not at 1000 Mbps.

Answer

The cable will not work at all because it is a crossover cable.

Answer

The cable will cause intermittent connectivity.

Question 9

A technician is setting up a new office with 20 workstations. The cabling is Cat6, and all runs are under 90 meters. After terminating the cables at the patch panel and wall jacks, the technician tests each run with a cable certifier. One run fails the test for near-end crosstalk (NEXT). What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The cable pairs are untwisted too much at the termination point.. This question tests understanding of cable termination quality and crosstalk. The correct answer is that the untwisting of pairs at the termination point is too long, which can cause NEXT failures.

Answer

The cable is too long for Cat6 specifications.

Answer

The cable is not properly shielded.

Answer

The cable is damaged from being pulled too hard during installation.

Question 10

A customer reports that their new external SSD, which uses a USB-C connector, is not being detected by their Windows laptop. The laptop has USB-C ports that support USB 3.2 Gen 2. The SSD works fine on another computer. Which connector-related issue is most likely the cause?

Accepted Answer

The laptop's USB-C port does not support the USB 3.2 Gen 2 protocol.. The correct answer is D because USB-C ports can support different protocols (USB 3.x, Thunderbolt, DisplayPort), and if the laptop's USB-C port does not support the USB 3.2 Gen 2 standard required by the SSD, the device may not be detected. This tests understanding that USB-C is a physical connector shape, not a guarantee of a specific protocol or speed.

Answer

The SSD uses a USB-A to USB-C cable, which is incompatible.

Answer

The laptop's USB-C port is damaged and needs replacement.

Answer

The SSD requires a Thunderbolt 3 connection, which the laptop lacks.

Question 11

A user is setting up a new monitor that uses a DisplayPort connection, but their desktop PC only has an HDMI port. They have an adapter. Which adapter type will allow the monitor to display correctly?

Accepted Answer

HDMI to DisplayPort adapter. The correct answer is B because DisplayPort and HDMI are both digital video standards, and a passive adapter can convert between them without signal loss. This tests knowledge that DisplayPort and HDMI are electrically compatible for video, unlike VGA (analog) or USB-C (which may require active conversion).

Answer

HDMI to VGA adapter

Answer

DisplayPort to USB-C adapter

Answer

DVI to HDMI adapter

Question 12

A technician is installing a new graphics card in a desktop PC. The card requires two 8-pin PCIe power connectors, but the power supply only has one 8-pin and one 6-pin connector. What is the best solution to power the card?

Accepted Answer

Use a 6+2 pin PCIe power cable on the 6-pin connector.. The correct answer is A because a 6+2 pin PCIe power cable can be used to convert the 6-pin connector into an 8-pin by attaching the additional 2 pins. This tests understanding of modular power supply cables and PCIe power connector compatibility.

Answer

Use a Molex to 8-pin adapter on one of the connectors.

Answer

Plug the 6-pin connector into the 8-pin slot; it will work with reduced power.

Answer

Replace the power supply with one that has two 8-pin connectors.

Question 13

A user complains that their external monitor flickers intermittently when connected via a VGA cable to their laptop. The laptop has a VGA port, and the monitor works fine with another computer. Which connector-related issue is most likely?

Accepted Answer

A bent pin inside the VGA connector is causing poor contact.. The correct answer is C because VGA connectors have pins that can bend or become loose over time, causing intermittent signal loss. This tests knowledge that VGA is an analog connector susceptible to physical damage and signal degradation.

Answer

The monitor's resolution is set too high for the VGA cable.

Answer

The laptop's VGA port is not providing enough power.

Answer

The VGA cable is not compatible with the laptop's graphics card.

Question 14

A user reports that their USB 3.0 external hard drive is transferring data at very slow speeds, around 30 MB/s, when connected to a front-panel USB port. The same drive works at expected speeds (over 100 MB/s) on a rear USB port. Which connector-related issue is most likely?

Accepted Answer

The front-panel USB port is only USB 2.0, limiting speed.. The correct answer is A because front-panel USB ports are often connected via internal headers that may only support USB 2.0 speeds, especially in older cases. This tests understanding that USB 3.0 requires a blue port and proper internal cabling for full speed.

Answer

The USB cable is damaged and needs replacement.

Answer

The external hard drive is not compatible with USB 3.0.

Answer

The front-panel USB port is not receiving enough power.

Question 15

A technician is upgrading a server's storage and needs to connect multiple SATA SSDs. The motherboard has only four SATA ports, but the technician needs to connect six drives. Which connector solution should be used?

Accepted Answer

Install a PCIe SATA controller card with extra ports.. The correct answer is B because a SATA expansion card adds additional SATA ports via a PCIe slot, allowing more drives to be connected. This tests knowledge of expansion cards and SATA controller limitations.

Answer

Use a Y-splitter cable on one SATA port to connect two drives.

Answer

Use eSATA to SATA adapters on the external ports.

Answer

Replace the motherboard with one that has six SATA ports.

Question 16

A user wants to connect a laptop to a 4K projector for a presentation. The laptop has a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode, and the projector has an HDMI input. Which cable or adapter is required?

Accepted Answer

USB-C to HDMI adapter or cable. The correct answer is C because USB-C to HDMI cables or adapters are designed for this exact scenario when the USB-C port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode. This tests understanding of USB-C Alt Mode and the need for compatible cables.

Answer

USB-C to USB-C cable

Answer

HDMI to HDMI cable

Answer

DisplayPort to HDMI cable

Question 17

A technician is troubleshooting a desktop PC that will not boot. The motherboard has a 24-pin ATX power connector and a 4-pin CPU power connector. The power supply has a 20+4 pin main connector and an 8-pin CPU connector. What is the correct way to connect the power supply?

Accepted Answer

Use the 20+4 pin connector as a 24-pin, and split the 8-pin CPU connector into a 4+4 pin to use only 4 pins.. The correct answer is A because the 20+4 pin connector can be used as a 24-pin by combining the 20-pin and 4-pin sections, and the 8-pin CPU connector can be split into a 4+4 pin to fit the 4-pin CPU power header. This tests understanding of modular power supply connectors and their flexibility.

Answer

Connect the 20-pin portion only and leave the 4-pin unconnected; use the 8-pin CPU connector as is.

Answer

Use the 20+4 pin as a 24-pin, and connect the 8-pin CPU connector to the 4-pin header by forcing it.

Answer

Replace the power supply with one that has a dedicated 24-pin and 4-pin connector.

Question 18

A user reports that their new Thunderbolt 4 external GPU (eGPU) is not recognized by their laptop, which has a Thunderbolt 4 port. The eGPU works on another laptop. Which connector-related issue is most likely?

Accepted Answer

The cable used is a passive USB-C cable, not an active Thunderbolt 4 cable.. The correct answer is B because Thunderbolt 4 requires an active cable for full functionality, and a passive USB-C cable may not carry the PCIe signal needed for eGPU operation. This tests understanding of Thunderbolt cable requirements and the difference between passive and active cables.

Answer

The laptop's Thunderbolt 4 port is disabled in BIOS.

Answer

The eGPU requires a Thunderbolt 3 port, not Thunderbolt 4.

Answer

The laptop's Thunderbolt 4 port is not providing enough power.

Question 19

A customer says their external hard drive is not recognized by their laptop. The drive uses a USB-C connector and the laptop has both USB-A and USB-C ports. Which connector type should be used to ensure the fastest possible data transfer?

Accepted Answer

USB-C to USB-C cable. USB-C supports faster data transfer rates (up to 10 Gbps or more) compared to USB-A's typical 5 Gbps, and it is the correct connector for the drive. Using a USB-A port would require an adapter and may limit speed. This question tests knowledge of USB connector generations and their performance capabilities.

Answer

USB-A to USB-B cable

Answer

USB-A to USB-C adapter

Answer

Micro-USB to USB-C cable

Question 20

A user reports that their new monitor, which uses a DisplayPort connection, shows no signal. The technician finds the monitor is connected to the PC's HDMI port via a passive adapter. What is the most likely issue?

Accepted Answer

The passive adapter cannot convert HDMI to DisplayPort. Passive DisplayPort to HDMI adapters often require an active adapter to convert the signal properly, especially if the source only outputs HDMI. This tests understanding of signal conversion and adapter types. The monitor's DisplayPort input needs a compatible signal from the PC's HDMI output.

Answer

The HDMI cable is faulty

Answer

The monitor is set to the wrong input source

Answer

The graphics driver is outdated