- A
Cat5e: Ethernet cable supporting up to 1 Gbps at 100 MHz
This is incorrect because a straight-through cable is used to connect unlike devices (e.g., PC to switch), not for connecting two switches directly.
- B
Cat6: Ethernet cable supporting up to 10 Gbps at 250 MHz (up to 55m)
Why this is correct: A crossover cable is used to connect two similar devices, such as two switches, by crossing the transmit and receive pairs.
- C
Cat6a: Ethernet cable supporting up to 10 Gbps at 500 MHz (up to 100m)
This is incorrect because fiber optic cables are used for long-distance, high-speed connections, not specifically for connecting two switches in a typical LAN scenario.
- D
Fiber single-mode: Uses laser light for long-distance, high-bandwidth transmission
This is incorrect because a rollover cable is used to connect a computer to a router or switch console port for management, not for connecting two switches.
Quick Answer
The correct pairing for Cat6a is an Ethernet cable supporting up to 10 Gbps at 500 MHz over 100 meters because its enhanced shielding and tighter twist ratio reduce crosstalk at higher frequencies, making it the standard for 10GBASE-T deployments. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this drag-and-drop task tests your ability to match cable types—like single-mode fiber with 1000BASE-LX SFP for 1310 nm long-haul links up to 5 km, or multimode fiber with 10GBASE-SR SFP+ for 300-meter runs over OM3—against their transceiver specifications and distance limits. A common trap is confusing multimode’s short-reach design with single-mode’s long-reach capability, such as pairing SFP-10G-LR (10 km) with multimode fiber. Remember the mnemonic “Single for distance, Multi for short” to keep laser wavelengths and reach straight.
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/transceiver types on the left to the correct descriptions 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
Cat5e: Ethernet cable supporting up to 1 Gbps at 100 MHz
CAT5e UTP supports 1000BASE-T up to 100 meters as standard twisted-pair copper cabling. Single-mode fiber with 1000BASE-LX SFP uses a 1310 nm laser for long-distance links, typically up to 5 km but extendable with specific optics. Multimode fiber with 10GBASE-SR SFP+ provides high-speed 10 Gbps connectivity up to 300 meters over OM3 fiber due to SR’s short-reach design. SFP-10G-LR is a single-mode transceiver designed for 10 km at 10 Gbps, leveraging its long-reach specification. GLC-T is a 1000BASE-T copper SFP, so it operates over CAT5e/CAT6 up to 100 meters. Incorrect pairings would mismatch cable type and distance capabilities, such as using multimode fiber for a 10 km link or a copper SFP with single-mode fiber.
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.
- ✓
Cat5e: Ethernet cable supporting up to 1 Gbps at 100 MHz
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because a straight-through cable is used to connect unlike devices (e.g., PC to switch), not for connecting two switches directly.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Cat6: Ethernet cable supporting up to 10 Gbps at 250 MHz (up to 55m)
Why this is correct
Why this is correct: A crossover cable is used to connect two similar devices, such as two switches, by crossing the transmit and receive pairs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Cat6a: Ethernet cable supporting up to 10 Gbps at 500 MHz (up to 100m)
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because fiber optic cables are used for long-distance, high-speed connections, not specifically for connecting two switches in a typical LAN scenario.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Fiber single-mode: Uses laser light for long-distance, high-bandwidth transmission
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because a rollover cable is used to connect a computer to a router or switch console port for management, not for connecting two switches.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — study guide chapter
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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: Cat5e: Ethernet cable supporting up to 1 Gbps at 100 MHz — CAT5e UTP supports 1000BASE-T up to 100 meters as standard twisted-pair copper cabling. Single-mode fiber with 1000BASE-LX SFP uses a 1310 nm laser for long-distance links, typically up to 5 km but extendable with specific optics. Multimode fiber with 10GBASE-SR SFP+ provides high-speed 10 Gbps connectivity up to 300 meters over OM3 fiber due to SR’s short-reach design. SFP-10G-LR is a single-mode transceiver designed for 10 km at 10 Gbps, leveraging its long-reach specification. GLC-T is a 1000BASE-T copper SFP, so it operates over CAT5e/CAT6 up to 100 meters. Incorrect pairings would mismatch cable type and distance capabilities, such as using multimode fiber for a 10 km link or a copper SFP with single-mode fiber.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
4 more ways this is tested on 200-301
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Drag and drop the cable types on the left to the correct maximum distance or connector type on the right. PAIRS: Cat5e → 100 meters (max distance) Cat6a → 100 meters (max distance) Single-mode fiber → LC connector Multimode fiber (OM3) → 300 meters (max distance at 10 Gbps) Coaxial cable (RG-6) → F-type connector
medium- ✓ A.Cat5e: Maximum distance of 100 meters for Ethernet.
- ✓ B.Cat6: Maximum distance of 100 meters for 10GBASE-T (up to 55 meters for 10 Gbps).
- ✓ C.Fiber optic single-mode: Maximum distance of 40 km or more with laser-based transceivers.
- ✓ D.Fiber optic multi-mode: Maximum distance of 550 meters for 10GBASE-SR.
Why A: These pairings correctly match cable types to their typical maximum distances or connector types. OM3 multimode fiber supports 300 meters at 10 Gbps, not 550 meters (OM4 supports 550 meters). Single-mode fiber typically uses LC connectors, and RG-6 coaxial cable uses F-type connectors.
Variation 2. Drag and drop the cable/transceiver types on the left to the correct distance and speed descriptions on the right.
medium- ✓ A.Cat5e UTP: 100 meters, 1 Gbps
- B.Cat6 UTP: 100 meters, 10 Gbps
- C.Single-mode fiber with 1000BASE-LX: 5 km, 1 Gbps
- D.Multimode fiber with 1000BASE-SX: 550 meters, 1 Gbps
Why A: These pairings reflect typical maximum distances and speeds for common Ethernet cabling and transceivers, as per IEEE standards.
Variation 3. Drag and drop the cable or transceiver types on the left to the corresponding distance limits or characteristics on the right.
medium- ✓ A.1000BASE-T: 100 meters
- B.1000BASE-SX: 550 meters
- C.1000BASE-LX: 5 kilometers
- D.1000BASE-ZX: 70 kilometers
Why A: 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.
Variation 4. Drag and drop the cable types and transceivers on the left to their corresponding distance limits or interface diagnostics on the right.
medium- ✓ A.Cat5e: 100 meters
- ✓ B.Cat6: 55 meters for 10GBASE-T
- ✓ C.Single-mode fiber: 10 km
- ✓ D.Multimode fiber: 550 meters for 10GBASE-SR
Why A: Each cable type or transceiver has a specified maximum distance based on IEEE standards and fiber-optic characteristics. Cat5e UTP supporting 1000BASE-T is limited to 100 meters due to signal attenuation and the 1000BASE-T standard. Multimode fiber OM3 with 1000BASE-SX (short wavelength) reaches up to 550 meters because of modal dispersion and the SX transceiver's power budget. Singlemode fiber with 1000BASE-LX (long wavelength) can transmit up to 5 kilometers due to lower attenuation and reduced dispersion in single-mode fiber. The SFP-10G-SR (short-reach 10 Gigabit) transceiver over OM3 multimode fiber has a maximum distance of 300 meters per the 10GBASE-SR standard. The 'show interfaces' command displays critical interface diagnostics such as input/output errors, speed, duplex settings, and CRC errors, which are essential for troubleshooting link issues.
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Last reviewed: Jun 6, 2026
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