The correct matching pairs are straight-through cable connecting a PC to a switch, Cat6a supporting 10GBASE-T at 100 meters, single-mode fiber using a 9-micron core for up to 40 km, multimode fiber with a 50 or 62.5-micron core limited to about 550 meters, SFP as hot-swappable transceivers, 'show interfaces' for CRC errors and status, and 'show interfaces transceiver' for optical monitoring like transmit power and temperature. This is correct because each cable type and transceiver has distinct physical specifications that dictate performance—Cat6a’s enhanced shielding reduces crosstalk for longer 10GBASE-T runs, while single-mode’s narrow core eliminates modal dispersion for long-haul links, and multimode’s larger core causes dispersion that caps distance. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this drag-and-drop question tests your ability to match these foundational components to their real-world roles, often trapping students who confuse single-mode and multimode distance limits or forget that SFP modules are hot-swappable. A common memory tip: think “single-mode, single ray” for the 9-micron core and long distance, and “multi-mode, multi-ray” for the larger core and shorter reach.
CCNA Network Infrastructure and Connectivity Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network infrastructure and connectivity. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Drag and drop the cable types, transceivers, and diagnostic commands on the left to the correct descriptions or specifications on the right.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Straight-through cable: Connects PC to switch
Cat6a copper cable supports 10GBASE-T at 100 meters due to its enhanced specification. Single-mode fiber uses a narrow 9-micron core, allowing light to travel in a single mode for long distances up to 40 km. Multimode fiber has a larger core (50 or 62.5 microns), which introduces modal dispersion and limits distances to about 550 meters for Ethernet. SFP transceivers are hot-swappable modules that provide the interface between a switch port and fiber or copper cabling. The 'show interfaces' command displays detailed interface statistics, including CRC errors and status, while 'show interfaces transceiver' displays optical monitoring data such as transmit power, receive power, and temperature.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Straight-through cable: Connects PC to switch
Why this is correct
Straight-through cables connect unlike devices, such as a PC (host) to a switch, because the transmit and receive pins are aligned directly.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Crossover cable: Connects switch to switch
Why it's wrong here
Crossover cables connect like devices, such as switch to switch, by crossing the transmit and receive pairs.
✗
Rollover cable: Used for console access
Why it's wrong here
Rollover cables are indeed used for console access to connect a computer to a router or switch console port.
✗
SFP: A type of transceiver
Why it's wrong here
SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable) is a compact, hot-pluggable transceiver used for network connections.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 200-301 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Straight-through cable: Connects PC to switchCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
Straight-through cables connect unlike devices, such as a PC (host) to a switch, because the transmit and receive pins are aligned directly.
✗Crossover cable: Connects switch to switchWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The description 'Connects switch to switch' is correct for a crossover cable, but the question asks for the correct match; this option is actually correct, but the question requires only one correct answer. Since the stem is a drag-and-drop matching, each item on the left must match exactly one description. The correct answer for 'Straight-through cable' is A. This option B is also a valid match for a different item, but not for the item described in A.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse which cable type matches which device pair, but here the description is accurate for crossover, so it is not a distractor for the straight-through cable item.
✗Rollover cable: Used for console accessWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This description is correct for a rollover cable, but it is not the correct match for the straight-through cable item. The question requires matching each left item to the correct right description; for the straight-through cable, the correct match is A.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think rollover cables are used for console access, which is true, but they may incorrectly associate it with the straight-through cable item.
✗SFP: A type of transceiverWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This description is correct for SFP, but it is not the correct match for the straight-through cable item. The question requires matching each left item to the correct right description; for the straight-through cable, the correct match is A.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might confuse transceiver types with cable types, but SFP is not a cable, so it is clearly a mismatch for a cable description.
Analysis generated from the official 200-301blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 200-301 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 200-301 question in full detail.
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — This question tests Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Straight-through cable: Connects PC to switch — Cat6a copper cable supports 10GBASE-T at 100 meters due to its enhanced specification. Single-mode fiber uses a narrow 9-micron core, allowing light to travel in a single mode for long distances up to 40 km. Multimode fiber has a larger core (50 or 62.5 microns), which introduces modal dispersion and limits distances to about 550 meters for Ethernet. SFP transceivers are hot-swappable modules that provide the interface between a switch port and fiber or copper cabling. The 'show interfaces' command displays detailed interface statistics, including CRC errors and status, while 'show interfaces transceiver' displays optical monitoring data such as transmit power, receive power, and temperature.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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