easyMultiple Choice
220-1201 Practice Question: Setting up a new branch office with 50…
A company is setting up a new branch office with 50 workstations and needs to connect them to the existing corporate network across a city. The connection must be dedicated and provide consistent bandwidth. Which type of WAN hardware should be installed at the branch office?
⚠ Common exam trap
220-1201 often tests the distinction between dedicated leased-line WAN hardware (CSU/DSU) and shared broadband CPE (DSL/cable modems), so candidates who focus only on 'internet connectivity' rather than 'dedicated, consistent bandwidth' pick the wrong modem.
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
✓
A CSU/DSU
A CSU/DSU (Channel Service Unit/Data Service Unit) is the customer-premises equipment that terminates a dedicated leased line (such as a T1/E1 or T3) and converts between the LAN's digital signaling and the carrier's WAN framing. Because the requirement specifies a dedicated connection with consistent, guaranteed bandwidth across a city, a leased line terminated by a CSU/DSU is the correct WAN hardware. DSL and cable are shared, best-effort broadband services that cannot guarantee symmetric dedicated throughput.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A DSL modem
Why it's wrong here
A DSL modem is designed for residential and small business internet access, utilizing existing copper telephone lines. While it provides broadband connectivity, the bandwidth is often asymmetrical and can vary based on distance from the central office and line quality. It does not offer the dedicated, guaranteed bandwidth or service level agreements typically required for a critical corporate branch office link.
- ✗
A cable modem
Why it's wrong here
A cable modem connects to a shared coaxial cable infrastructure, where bandwidth is contended among multiple subscribers in a local segment. This shared nature means that network performance, including speed and latency, can fluctuate significantly during peak usage times. Consequently, a cable modem is generally unsuitable for establishing a dedicated, consistent, and high-reliability connection essential for corporate Wide Area Network (WAN) links.
- ✓
A CSU/DSU
Why this is correct
A Channel Service Unit/Data Service Unit (CSU/DSU) is a crucial piece of equipment used to terminate a digital leased line, such as a T1 or E1 circuit, at the customer premises. It provides the necessary signal conversion, line conditioning, and clocking functions to ensure reliable and synchronous data transmission over the dedicated circuit. This setup guarantees a consistent, symmetrical, and private connection, making it ideal for linking corporate branch offices with specific bandwidth and uptime requirements.
- ✗
A wireless access point
Why it's wrong here
A wireless access point (WAP) primarily functions to create a local wireless network, allowing devices to connect to the local area network (LAN) wirelessly within a limited geographical range. It facilitates internal network access and resource sharing, but it is not designed to establish a Wide Area Network (WAN) connection across significant distances, such as connecting a branch office to a corporate headquarters in another city. WAPs lack the necessary interfaces and protocols for direct long-haul carrier connectivity.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
This 220-1201 question is part of Courseiva's 871-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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.