easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: A customer reports that their new all-in-one…
A customer reports that their new all-in-one printer can scan and copy locally, but they cannot send scanned documents to their email address. The printer is connected to the office network and can ping other devices. Which protocol is most likely misconfigured on the printer?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates might confuse IMAP (used to read email) with SMTP (used to send email), especially when the question involves an email-related function like scanning to email.
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
✓
SMTP
The printer can scan and copy locally and is reachable on the network (ping works), but it cannot send scanned documents to an email address. This indicates the printer is configured to use SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) to send the email, but the SMTP server settings (server address, port, authentication, or encryption) are likely incorrect or missing. SMTP is the standard protocol for sending outgoing email, which is exactly what the printer needs to deliver the scanned document as an email attachment.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
FTP
Why it's wrong here
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is specifically designed for transferring files between a client and a server over a network. While a printer might use FTP to upload scanned documents to a network share, it does not utilize FTP for the direct transmission of email messages to a mail server. Email communication relies on entirely different protocols for message encapsulation and delivery.
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IMAP
Why it's wrong here
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) is primarily used by email clients to retrieve and manage email messages stored on a remote mail server. Unlike protocols for sending mail, IMAP allows users to view, organize, and manipulate messages directly on the server without downloading them, ensuring synchronization across multiple devices. Therefore, it is not the protocol responsible for initiating the outgoing transmission of an email from a device like a printer.
- ✓
SMTP
Why this is correct
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is the industry standard protocol specifically designed for sending outgoing email messages. When a device, such as an all-in-one printer, needs to send an email, it connects to an SMTP server to deliver the message. A misconfiguration of SMTP settings, such as the server address, port number, or authentication credentials, would directly prevent the printer from successfully transmitting email.
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SNMP
Why it's wrong here
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is utilized for managing and monitoring network devices, including printers, routers, and servers. It allows network administrators to collect information about device status, performance, and configuration, and to receive alerts about critical events. However, SNMP's function is purely for network management communication, not for the actual transmission of user-generated content like email messages.
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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.