- A
ARP
Why wrong: ARP resolves IP addresses to MAC addresses, not for data transfer.
- B
ICMP
Why wrong: ICMP is used for error reporting and diagnostics, not for application data transfer.
- C
TCP
TCP is reliable and connection-oriented, suitable for reliable data transfer.
- D
HTTP
Why wrong: HTTP is an application layer protocol that typically runs over TCP, not a transport protocol.
- E
UDP
UDP is low-overhead and connectionless, suitable for real-time communication.
Question 247 of 1,000
200-901 Network Fundamentals Practice Question
This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of network fundamentals. 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.
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.)
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.
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.
- ✗
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.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
HTTP
- ✓
UDP
Why this is correct
UDP is low-overhead and connectionless, suitable for real-time communication.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
TCP achieves reliability through sequence numbers, cumulative acknowledgments (ACKs), and a sliding window mechanism for flow control, with retransmission triggered by timeouts or duplicate ACKs (RFC 793). UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is connectionless and stateless, offering minimal overhead (8-byte header) and no retransmission, making it suitable for real-time applications like VoIP or live video where occasional packet loss is acceptable over latency. In microservices, a common pattern is to use TCP for RESTful APIs and UDP for WebRTC or gaming servers.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 200-901 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.
Visual reference
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-901 question test?
Network Fundamentals — This question tests Network Fundamentals — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 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.
What should I do if I get this 200-901 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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