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220-1201 Intermittent network drops Practice Question
A user reports intermittent network drops. You suspect the issue might be with the network interface card (NIC) itself. You need to test the NIC's ability to send and receive data without connecting it to the network. Which tool should you use?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the distinction between testing the NIC itself (loopback plug) versus testing the cable (cable tester), leading candidates to confuse a cable tester as a valid NIC diagnostic tool.
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
✓
Loopback plug
A loopback plug (or loopback adapter) is the correct tool because it connects the transmit (TX) and receive (RX) pins of the NIC, allowing it to send data to itself. This tests the NIC's ability to transmit and receive frames without requiring a network connection, isolating the NIC as the potential fault point.
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 cable tester is for testing cables, not the NIC directly.
- ✗
Toner probe
Why it's wrong here
A toner probe identifies cables but cannot test NIC functionality.
- ✓
Loopback plug
Why this is correct
A loopback plug creates a loop that allows the NIC to transmit and receive its own signal, confirming the adapter is working.
- ✗
Multimeter
Why it's wrong here
A multimeter measures electrical properties and is not used for NIC testing.
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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.