mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
MAN with Point-to-Point Wireless Bridge
A company wants to connect two office buildings that are 2 miles apart in the same city to share a high-speed internet connection and internal resources. Fiber optic cable is not an option due to cost. Which network type and technology would be most appropriate?
Quick Answer
The correct choice is a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) using a point-to-point wireless bridge. This solution is ideal because a MAN is specifically designed to connect multiple locations across a city, and a point-to-point wireless bridge provides a high-speed, cost-effective link for distances up to several miles when running fiber optic cable is prohibitively expensive. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to match network types—LAN, WAN, PAN, and MAN—to real-world distances and constraints, with the common trap being to confuse a MAN with a WAN or to overlook the wireless bridge as a viable alternative to cabling. Remember that a MAN covers a city-scale area, while a WAN spans beyond a city, and a point-to-point bridge uses directional antennas to create a dedicated link. A helpful memory tip: think "Metro = MAN, and Wireless Bridge = No Fiber Fuss."
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse MAN with WAN, assuming any connection between buildings requires a WAN, but a MAN is specifically designed for metropolitan-scale connections like this, and a point-to-point wireless bridge is a cost-effective alternative to fiber.
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
✓
MAN using a point-to-point wireless bridge
A MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) using a point-to-point wireless bridge is the most appropriate choice because it connects two buildings within the same city (a metropolitan area) without the high cost of fiber. A wireless bridge operating in the 5 GHz or 60 GHz band can provide high-speed, dedicated links over distances up to several miles, making it ideal for sharing internet and internal resources between the two sites.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
LAN using CAT6 Ethernet cable
Why it's wrong here
Ethernet cable is limited to 100 meters, far too short for 2 miles.
- ✗
WAN using a satellite link
Why it's wrong here
Satellite links are for very long distances and have high latency; overkill and expensive for 2 miles.
- ✓
MAN using a point-to-point wireless bridge
Why this is correct
A MAN covers a city area; wireless bridges can connect buildings miles apart without cabling, suitable for this distance.
- ✗
PAN using Bluetooth
Why it's wrong here
Bluetooth PANs have a range of about 10 meters, completely inadequate for 2 miles.
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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 city government wants to provide free public Wi-Fi in a downtown area spanning 2 square miles. The network must handle hundreds of simultaneous users and be accessible from streets and parks. Which network type is most appropriate for this deployment?
hard- A.Local Area Network (LAN)
- B.Wide Area Network (WAN)
- C.Personal Area Network (PAN)
- ✓ D.Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Why D: A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is designed to cover a geographic area larger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN, typically spanning a city or a large campus. For a 2-square-mile downtown area with hundreds of simultaneous users, a MAN provides the necessary range, high capacity, and centralized management to deliver public Wi-Fi access across streets and parks. Technologies such as WiMAX (IEEE 802.16) or carrier-grade Wi-Fi mesh networks are commonly used in MAN deployments to ensure seamless coverage and user density.
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.