The answer is a multimeter, because it is the correct tool to test Power over Ethernet (PoE) voltage at the endpoint. When a VoIP phone fails to power on despite a properly configured PoE switch, the issue may be a voltage drop or a break in the cable’s power pairs, and a multimeter set to DC voltage can measure the actual voltage present on pins 4-5 and 7-8 (or 1-2 and 3-6 for alternative mode) at the far end of the cable. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of hardware troubleshooting tools and PoE standards; a common trap is choosing a cable tester, which checks continuity but not voltage delivery. Remember that a cable tester tells you if the wire is connected, but only a multimeter tells you if the power is actually flowing. For a quick memory tip: “Voltage needs a voltmeter—continuity is for the cable tester.”
220-1201 Networking Tools Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of networking tools. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 company's IT department is deploying new VoIP phones. After connecting a phone to a PoE switch, the phone does not power on. The switch port is configured for PoE and shows no errors. Which tool should be used to verify that the Ethernet cable delivers power correctly?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Multimeter
A multimeter can measure voltage on the Ethernet cable's power pairs. Since the switch is configured for PoE and the cable appears intact, measuring voltage at the phone end can confirm whether power is reaching the device.
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.
✗
Cable tester
Why it's wrong here
A standard cable tester checks continuity but does not measure voltage or PoE delivery.
✗
Tone generator
Why it's wrong here
A tone generator traces cables but cannot measure electrical power.
✓
Multimeter
Why this is correct
A multimeter set to DC voltage can measure the voltage on the power pairs of the Ethernet cable to verify PoE is being delivered.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Wi-Fi analyzer
Why it's wrong here
A Wi-Fi analyzer is for wireless signals, not for testing PoE on wired connections.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 220-1201 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Networking Tools — This question tests Networking Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Multimeter — A multimeter can measure voltage on the Ethernet cable's power pairs. Since the switch is configured for PoE and the cable appears intact, measuring voltage at the phone end can confirm whether power is reaching the device.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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