The correct answer is Cat 6a straight-through cable. This is because Cat 6a supports 10 Gbps speeds up to 100 meters and is fully backward compatible with 1 Gbps, making it the only copper Ethernet cable that can reliably handle a 120-meter switch-to-switch cable distance at 1 Gbps while staying within specification. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your understanding of Ethernet distance limits and cable types—a common trap is choosing Cat 5e or Cat 6, which are limited to 100 meters and may not guarantee performance at that extended distance. Remember that for switch-to-switch links, straight-through cables work because modern switches use auto-MDIX to automatically correct the pinout. A helpful memory tip: “Six A for the extra stretch—Cat 6a goes the distance without a hitch.”
220-1201 Network Configuration Concepts Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network configuration concepts. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
During a network upgrade, a technician needs to connect two switches that are 120 meters apart using a copper Ethernet cable. The cable run must support 1 Gbps speeds. Which cable type and configuration should be used?
Why wrong: Cat 5e supports 1 Gbps but only up to 100 meters; 120 meters exceeds the maximum length, risking signal loss.
B
Cat 6a straight-through cable
Cat 6a supports 1 Gbps beyond 100 meters (up to 100 meters at 10 Gbps, but for 1 Gbps it can reach slightly farther with good installation; 120 meters is acceptable with quality cable), and straight-through works with modern switches.
C
Cat 6 crossover cable
Why wrong: Cat 6 supports 1 Gbps up to 100 meters, but 120 meters is too long for reliable operation, and crossover cables are unnecessary with auto-MDIX.
D
Cat 5e straight-through cable
Why wrong: Cat 5e is limited to 100 meters for 1 Gbps; 120 meters exceeds the specification and may cause errors or link failure.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Cat 6a straight-through cable
Cat 6a supports 10 Gbps up to 100 meters and is backward compatible with 1 Gbps. For switch-to-switch connections, a straight-through cable is used because modern switches have auto-MDIX, or the ports are already wired for straight connections.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Cat 5e crossover cable
Why it's wrong here
Cat 5e supports 1 Gbps but only up to 100 meters; 120 meters exceeds the maximum length, risking signal loss.
✓
Cat 6a straight-through cable
Why this is correct
Cat 6a supports 1 Gbps beyond 100 meters (up to 100 meters at 10 Gbps, but for 1 Gbps it can reach slightly farther with good installation; 120 meters is acceptable with quality cable), and straight-through works with modern switches.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Cat 6 crossover cable
Why it's wrong here
Cat 6 supports 1 Gbps up to 100 meters, but 120 meters is too long for reliable operation, and crossover cables are unnecessary with auto-MDIX.
✗
Cat 5e straight-through cable
Why it's wrong here
Cat 5e is limited to 100 meters for 1 Gbps; 120 meters exceeds the specification and may cause errors or link failure.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1201 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Network Configuration Concepts — This question tests Network Configuration Concepts — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Cat 6a straight-through cable — Cat 6a supports 10 Gbps up to 100 meters and is backward compatible with 1 Gbps. For switch-to-switch connections, a straight-through cable is used because modern switches have auto-MDIX, or the ports are already wired for straight connections.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1201 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.