200-901 Network Fundamentals Practice Question
A DevOps team is deploying a microservices application that requires both reliable data transfer and low-latency real-time communication. Which two protocols should be used for these respective requirements? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between transport-layer protocols (TCP/UDP) and application-layer protocols (HTTP), so candidates mistakenly pick HTTP for reliability instead of recognizing that HTTP relies on TCP underneath.
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
✓
TCP
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is correct for reliable data transfer because it provides connection-oriented communication with sequencing, acknowledgments, and retransmission of lost packets, ensuring data arrives intact and in order. This makes it ideal for microservices that need guaranteed delivery, such as database transactions or order processing.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
ARP
Why it's wrong here
ARP resolves IP addresses to MAC addresses, not for data transfer.
- ✗
ICMP
Why it's wrong here
ICMP is used for error reporting and diagnostics, not for application data transfer.
- ✓
TCP
Why this is correct
TCP is reliable and connection-oriented, suitable for reliable data transfer.
- ✗
HTTP
Why it's wrong here
HTTP is an application layer protocol that typically runs over TCP, not a transport protocol.
- ✓
UDP
Why this is correct
UDP is low-overhead and connectionless, suitable for real-time communication.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-901 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 200-901 exam.