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220-1201 Practice Question: During a deployment of a new multifunction…
During a deployment of a new multifunction printer, the technician needs to ensure the device can scan documents directly to a shared network folder on a Windows server. Which protocol must be configured on the printer to support this?
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
This question tests knowledge of network protocols used for scanning to a network folder. SMB (Server Message Block) is the standard protocol for file sharing in Windows environments. FTP or email would require additional services, and SNMP is for management only.
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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FTP
Why it's wrong here
FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, is a client-server protocol designed specifically for transferring files between computers over a TCP/IP network. While a multifunction printer could theoretically be configured to upload scanned documents to an FTP server, it is not the native or most straightforward method for integrating with a standard Windows shared folder environment. Implementing FTP for this purpose would require setting up and managing a dedicated FTP server, along with configuring user accounts and directory permissions, adding unnecessary complexity compared to native Windows file sharing.
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SNMP
Why it's wrong here
SNMP, or Simple Network Management Protocol, is primarily used for managing and monitoring network devices, including printers, routers, and switches. Network administrators use SNMP to query device status, receive alerts (traps) for events like low toner or paper jams, and sometimes configure basic device settings remotely. However, SNMP's function is exclusively for network management and monitoring; it does not provide any mechanism or capability for the direct transfer of user data files, such as scanned documents, to a network share.
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SMB
Why this is correct
SMB, or Server Message Block, is the core network file-sharing protocol utilized by Microsoft Windows operating systems for sharing files, printers, and other resources across a network. When a multifunction printer is configured to scan documents directly to a network folder, it uses SMB to establish a connection with the target server or workstation. The printer then authenticates using provided credentials and deposits the scanned document into the specified shared directory, making it the native, most efficient, and widely adopted solution for integrating with Windows-based file shares.
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SMTP
Why it's wrong here
SMTP, or Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, is the standard protocol used for sending and receiving email messages over the internet. Multifunction printers frequently offer a "scan-to-email" feature, which leverages SMTP to send scanned documents as attachments to specified email addresses. However, SMTP is exclusively designed for the transmission of electronic mail and does not possess any functionality or mechanism for directly saving files to a network file share, a local folder on a server, or any other non-email-based storage location.
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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.