easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is setting up a new network printer…
A technician is setting up a new network printer for a department. The printer needs to be accessible to all users on the same subnet without a dedicated print server. Which configuration method should the technician use?
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
✓
Assign a static IP address to the printer
Assigning a static IP address to the printer ensures it has a permanent address on the network, allowing all users on the subnet to connect directly. DHCP could change the IP, breaking connections. A static IP is the simplest method for direct network printing without a server.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Connect the printer via USB to a user's workstation and share it
Why it's wrong here
Connecting the printer via USB to a user's workstation and then sharing it creates a dependency on that specific computer. If the host workstation is powered off, disconnected, or experiences issues, the printer becomes unavailable to all other network users. This setup does not provide the independent, always-on network accessibility characteristic of a true network printer, introducing a single point of failure and potential performance overhead for the host user.
- ✓
Assign a static IP address to the printer
Why this is correct
Assigning a static IP address to the network printer ensures its consistent and reliable presence on the network. This dedicated, unchanging address allows client devices to always locate and connect to the printer directly, simplifying configuration and preventing connectivity issues. A static IP eliminates the risk of the printer's address changing, which would otherwise break established print queues and require manual reconfiguration by users.
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Use DHCP with a short lease time
Why it's wrong here
Using DHCP with a short lease time for a network printer is highly problematic for consistent network services. A short lease means the printer's IP address could frequently change, causing client workstations to lose their connection to the printer and fail to send print jobs. This dynamic address assignment leads to intermittent printer availability, requiring users to constantly re-add or reconfigure the printer, resulting in significant user frustration and increased support calls.
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Install a print server on a domain controller
Why it's wrong here
Installing a print server role directly onto a domain controller is an ill-advised practice due to security and performance implications. Domain controllers are critical infrastructure components that should only host essential services; adding non-core roles increases their attack surface and consumes valuable system resources. This configuration violates the principle of least privilege and single responsibility, potentially compromising the stability, security, and performance of the entire domain.
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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.