hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: A network administrator needs to connect two…
A network administrator needs to connect two switches that are 200 meters apart. The connection must support 1 Gbps speed. The administrator has Cat5e cable available. However, Cat5e is only rated for 100 meters at 1 Gbps. Which device can be used to extend the distance without replacing the cable?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common misconception is that a media converter can extend the distance of a copper Ethernet segment, but a media converter only changes the physical connector type (e.g., RJ45 to SFP) and does not regenerate the signal. The trap is confusing physical layer conversion with signal regeneration, which is only provided by a repeater or network extender.
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
✓
Network extender (repeater)
A network extender (repeater) regenerates the electrical signal, allowing a Cat5e segment to exceed the 100-meter distance limitation while maintaining 1 Gbps speed. Since the administrator already has Cat5e cable and only needs to extend the reach, a repeater operates at Layer 1 to boost the signal without replacing the cable.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Media converter
Why it's wrong here
A media converter is designed to translate signals between different physical transmission media, such as converting an Ethernet signal from copper twisted-pair cabling to fiber optic cabling. While essential for integrating different network infrastructure types, it does not actively regenerate or amplify a signal to overcome the inherent 100-meter distance limitation of copper Ethernet. Therefore, it cannot extend the maximum reach of a copper segment beyond its specified length.
- ✓
Network extender (repeater)
Why this is correct
A network extender, also known as a repeater, operates at the Physical layer (Layer 1) of the OSI model to receive a weakened or attenuated signal, regenerate it to its original strength and timing, and then retransmit it. This process effectively 'resets' the signal's travel distance, allowing a single logical network segment to span distances greater than the standard 100-meter limit for copper Ethernet by breaking it into compliant sub-segments. For a 200-meter run, a repeater placed at the 100-meter mark would create two valid segments.
- ✗
PoE injector
Why it's wrong here
A Power over Ethernet (PoE) injector is a device specifically engineered to add electrical power to a standard Ethernet data cable, enabling power delivery to compatible devices like IP cameras or wireless access points without a separate power outlet. Its sole function is to supply power, typically adhering to IEEE 802.3af/at/bt standards, and it has no capability to regenerate, amplify, or otherwise extend the maximum transmission distance of the data signal itself. Therefore, it does not address signal degradation over long cable runs.
- ✗
Load balancer
Why it's wrong here
A load balancer is a network device or software solution that efficiently distributes incoming network traffic across multiple servers or network links to optimize resource utilization, maximize throughput, and ensure high availability and fault tolerance. Its primary role is to manage and direct data flow at higher OSI layers (typically Layer 4 or 7) for performance and redundancy, not to address physical layer limitations such as signal attenuation or extend the maximum physical distance of a network cable segment. It operates entirely independently of cable length restrictions.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 972 original 220-1201 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.