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220-1201 Practice Question: During a network upgrade, you need to identify…
During a network upgrade, you need to identify which cable in a messy patch panel corresponds to a specific office wall jack. The cables are not labeled. Which tool should you use?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mistake on the CompTIA A+ exam is confusing a cable tester with a toner probe. The cable tester checks electrical continuity and wiring faults, not physical location, so candidates often incorrectly choose it for cable identification tasks.
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
✓
Toner probe
A toner probe (inductive amplifier and tone generator) is the correct tool for tracing an unlabeled cable from a patch panel to a specific wall jack. The tone generator injects a distinctive audio signal onto the wire pair, and the inductive probe detects that signal without requiring a direct electrical connection, allowing you to identify the correct cable even in a dense, messy bundle.
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 checks connectivity and faults but does not help identify which cable goes to which jack without disconnecting.
- ✓
Toner probe
Why this is correct
A toner probe generates a tone on the cable that can be detected with a probe, enabling identification of the correct cable at the patch panel.
- ✗
Multimeter
Why it's wrong here
A multimeter measures electrical properties and is not designed for tracing cables in a network environment.
- ✗
Loopback plug
Why it's wrong here
A loopback plug tests network interfaces but cannot identify cables in a patch panel.
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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.