easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: A company deploys a new multifunction printer…
A company deploys a new multifunction printer that supports both USB and network connectivity. The printer is installed in a conference room and must be accessible to all employees on the same subnet. Which connection method should the technician use?
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
✓
Connect the printer to the network using an Ethernet cable
This question assesses understanding of connectivity options for shared multifunction devices. A network connection (Ethernet) allows multiple users on the same subnet to access the printer simultaneously. USB is limited to a single directly connected computer.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Connect the printer via USB to the nearest workstation
Why it's wrong here
Connecting a multifunction printer directly to a single workstation via USB establishes a point-to-point connection, making it a local peripheral for that specific computer. This configuration prevents other employees from directly accessing the printer's functions, such as printing, scanning, or faxing, across the company network. While the host workstation could potentially share the printer, this method is inefficient, unreliable, and does not provide the robust, simultaneous access required for a shared company resource.
- ✓
Connect the printer to the network using an Ethernet cable
Why this is correct
Connecting the multifunction printer to the company's local area network (LAN) via an Ethernet cable is the most appropriate and robust solution for shared office environments. This method assigns the printer an IP address, making it a network-attached device that all authorized users on the subnet can discover and utilize for printing, scanning, and other functions. Ethernet provides a stable, high-bandwidth connection, ensuring reliable access and efficient operation for multiple users simultaneously across the entire company infrastructure.
- ✗
Use a USB-to-Ethernet adapter
Why it's wrong here
Employing a USB-to-Ethernet adapter is an unsuitable solution for integrating a multifunction printer into a company network. These adapters are primarily designed to provide network connectivity to devices that lack an Ethernet port, such as some laptops, not to convert a printer's USB interface into a network-shareable resource. Printers with network capabilities are engineered with integrated Ethernet ports or Wi-Fi modules, and attempting to force network functionality through an unsupported adapter would result in unreliable performance, driver incompatibility issues, and a lack of proper network management features.
- ✗
Enable Wi-Fi Direct on the printer
Why it's wrong here
Enabling Wi-Fi Direct on the printer would establish a direct, ad-hoc wireless connection between the printer and a single client device, bypassing the existing company network entirely. While convenient for individual, temporary connections, this technology is designed for point-to-point communication and does not integrate the printer as a shared network resource. Consequently, only one user could connect at a time, and the printer would not be discoverable or accessible to all other employees across the corporate LAN, making it unsuitable for a shared office environment.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on 220-1201
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. A technician is deploying an MFP that supports both USB and network connectivity. The office wants all users on the network to be able to print and scan from the device. Which connection method should the technician use?
easy- A.USB connection to a single workstation
- ✓ B.Ethernet connection to the network switch
- C.Bluetooth connection to each user's device
- D.Parallel port connection to a print server
Why B: Network connectivity (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) allows multiple users to access the MFP simultaneously, while USB is limited to a single directly connected computer. For shared access in an office, network is required.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 220-1201 exam.