hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is setting up a new file server that…
A technician is setting up a new file server that needs to be accessible to employees both from the local network and remotely over the internet. The server will host shared folders. Which protocol should the technician ensure is properly configured and secured on the server for file access?
⚠ Common exam trap
The CompTIA A+ exam often tests the distinction between protocols designed for file sharing (SMB, NFS) versus file transfer (FTP, HTTP), and the trap here is that candidates may choose FTP because it is commonly associated with 'file access' over the internet, overlooking that SMB is the standard for shared folder access in a Windows-centric environment.
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
✓
SMB
SMB (Server Message Block) is the native protocol used by Windows for file and printer sharing, and it is the correct choice for a file server that needs to be accessible both locally and remotely. SMB supports authentication, encryption (via SMB 3.x), and can be securely tunneled over VPN or through port 445 with proper firewall rules, making it ideal for shared folder access in a mixed network environment.
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 is an older file transfer protocol, less secure and not ideal for Windows file sharing.
- ✓
SMB
Why this is correct
SMB is the native Windows file sharing protocol, used for accessing shared folders over a network.
- ✗
NFS
Why it's wrong here
NFS is used in Unix/Linux environments, not typical for Windows file servers.
- ✗
HTTP
Why it's wrong here
HTTP is for web content, not for direct file sharing like SMB.
Quick reference
VPN Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port | Encryption | Authentication | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKEv2 / IPsec | UDP 500 / 4500 | AES-256 | Certificates / PSK | Site-to-site & remote access |
| SSL / TLS VPN | TCP 443 | TLS 1.3 | Certificates / MFA | Clientless remote access |
| L2TP / IPsec | UDP 1701 | AES (IPsec) | PSK / Certificates | Legacy remote access |
| WireGuard | UDP 51820 | ChaCha20 | Public keys | Modern high-performance VPN |
| PPTP | TCP 1723 | MPPE (weak) | MS-CHAPv2 | Legacy — avoid in production |
PPTP is considered insecure. IKEv2/IPsec and SSL VPN are the current recommended options.
Go deeper
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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.