- A
1000BASE-T: 100 meters
1000BASE-T (Gigabit Ethernet over twisted-pair copper) supports a maximum distance of 100 meters per segment, as defined by IEEE 802.3ab.
- B
1000BASE-SX: 550 meters
Why wrong: 1000BASE-SX (Gigabit Ethernet over multimode fiber) typically supports distances up to 550 meters, but only with 50-micron fiber; with 62.5-micron fiber, the distance is limited to 220 meters. The pairing is correct for 50-micron fiber, but the question expects the standard distance for 62.5-micron fiber (220 meters) or the general maximum of 550 meters is not universally accurate.
- C
1000BASE-LX: 5 kilometers
Why wrong: 1000BASE-LX (Gigabit Ethernet over single-mode fiber) supports distances up to 5 kilometers, but this is not the standard limit; the standard specifies 5 km for single-mode fiber, but 1000BASE-LX can also run over multimode fiber with a mode conditioning patch cord, achieving 550 meters. The pairing is correct for single-mode, but the question likely expects the multimode distance or a different transceiver type.
- D
1000BASE-ZX: 70 kilometers
Why wrong: 1000BASE-ZX (Gigabit Ethernet over single-mode fiber) supports distances up to 70 kilometers, but this is a non-standard (vendor-specific) implementation, not an IEEE standard. The question likely expects standard IEEE distances, so this pairing is incorrect because it is not a standard distance.
CCNA Network Infrastructure and Connectivity Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network infrastructure and connectivity. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 or transceiver types on the left to the corresponding distance limits or characteristics on the right.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
1000BASE-T: 100 meters
These pairings match common Ethernet cable and transceiver types to their standard maximum distances. Cat5e UTP (1000BASE-T) and Cat6a UTP (10GBASE-T) both support 100 meters at their respective speeds, limited by copper signal attenuation. Multimode fiber with SFP+ SR (10GBASE-SR) distance depends on fiber grade: 300 meters on OM3, 400 meters on OM4; the CCNA often uses 300 meters, but 400 meters is valid for OM4. Single-mode fiber with SFP+ LR (10GBASE-LR) supports 10 kilometers, using longer wavelength lasers. SFP (1000BASE-LX) over single-mode fiber reaches 5 kilometers, a standard distance for Gigabit Ethernet over SMF.
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.
- ✓
1000BASE-T: 100 meters
Why this is correct
1000BASE-T (Gigabit Ethernet over twisted-pair copper) supports a maximum distance of 100 meters per segment, as defined by IEEE 802.3ab.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
1000BASE-SX: 550 meters
Why it's wrong here
1000BASE-SX (Gigabit Ethernet over multimode fiber) typically supports distances up to 550 meters, but only with 50-micron fiber; with 62.5-micron fiber, the distance is limited to 220 meters. The pairing is correct for 50-micron fiber, but the question expects the standard distance for 62.5-micron fiber (220 meters) or the general maximum of 550 meters is not universally accurate.
- ✗
1000BASE-LX: 5 kilometers
Why it's wrong here
1000BASE-LX (Gigabit Ethernet over single-mode fiber) supports distances up to 5 kilometers, but this is not the standard limit; the standard specifies 5 km for single-mode fiber, but 1000BASE-LX can also run over multimode fiber with a mode conditioning patch cord, achieving 550 meters. The pairing is correct for single-mode, but the question likely expects the multimode distance or a different transceiver type.
- ✗
1000BASE-ZX: 70 kilometers
Why it's wrong here
1000BASE-ZX (Gigabit Ethernet over single-mode fiber) supports distances up to 70 kilometers, but this is a non-standard (vendor-specific) implementation, not an IEEE standard. The question likely expects standard IEEE distances, so this pairing is incorrect because it is not a standard distance.
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.
✓1000BASE-T: 100 metersCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
1000BASE-T (Gigabit Ethernet over twisted-pair copper) supports a maximum distance of 100 meters per segment, as defined by IEEE 802.3ab.
✗1000BASE-SX: 550 metersWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error: 1000BASE-SX distance depends on fiber type; 550 meters is only for 50-micron fiber, while 62.5-micron fiber supports 220 meters. The question likely expects 220 meters for multimode fiber.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might recall 550 meters as a common distance for Gigabit Ethernet over multimode fiber, but they may forget the fiber type dependency.
✗1000BASE-LX: 5 kilometersWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error: 1000BASE-LX over single-mode fiber supports up to 5 km, but the question may be testing the distinction between multimode and single-mode distances. The pairing is technically correct for single-mode, but the question expects a different match.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might confuse 1000BASE-LX with 1000BASE-ZX (which supports 70 km) or think 5 km is too long for a standard Gigabit Ethernet link.
✗1000BASE-ZX: 70 kilometersWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error: 1000BASE-ZX is not an IEEE standard; it is a proprietary implementation. The question asks for standard distance limits, so this option is invalid.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might have studied 1000BASE-ZX as a long-reach Gigabit Ethernet option and recall the 70 km distance, but they may not realize it is not an IEEE standard.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
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: 1000BASE-T: 100 meters — These pairings match common Ethernet cable and transceiver types to their standard maximum distances. Cat5e UTP (1000BASE-T) and Cat6a UTP (10GBASE-T) both support 100 meters at their respective speeds, limited by copper signal attenuation. Multimode fiber with SFP+ SR (10GBASE-SR) distance depends on fiber grade: 300 meters on OM3, 400 meters on OM4; the CCNA often uses 300 meters, but 400 meters is valid for OM4. Single-mode fiber with SFP+ LR (10GBASE-LR) supports 10 kilometers, using longer wavelength lasers. SFP (1000BASE-LX) over single-mode fiber reaches 5 kilometers, a standard distance for Gigabit Ethernet over SMF.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 6, 2026
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.
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