mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
Wide Area Network (WAN) for Multi-City Connectivity
A company has two branch offices in different cities. They need to connect their LANs so employees can access resources at both locations securely over the internet. Which network type should be used?
Quick Answer
The answer is a Wide Area Network (WAN), which is the correct network type for connecting LANs across different cities. A WAN is specifically designed to span large geographic distances, linking multiple local networks so that employees in separate branch offices can securely share resources, often using a VPN over the internet as a common implementation. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between network types based on scale: a LAN is confined to a single building, a MAN covers a metropolitan area, and a PAN is for personal devices. A common trap is confusing a WAN with a VPN, but remember that a VPN is a method used within a WAN, not a separate network type. For a quick memory tip, think “Wide” for “Wide area” — if the distance spans cities or countries, it’s a WAN.
⚠ Common exam trap
The 220-1201 exam often tests the misconception that a MAN can cover inter-city distances, but MANs are limited to a metropolitan area (typically up to 100 km), whereas a WAN is required for connections spanning multiple cities or countries.
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
✓
Wide Area Network (WAN)
A Wide Area Network (WAN) is the correct choice because it connects geographically separated LANs across a large distance, such as between two cities, using public or private infrastructure like the internet. WAN technologies, such as MPLS, leased lines, or IPsec VPNs, provide secure, encrypted tunnels over the internet to ensure data confidentiality and integrity between the branch offices.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Local Area Network (LAN)
Why it's wrong here
A LAN cannot connect two separate cities; it is limited to a single location.
- ✗
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Why it's wrong here
A MAN covers a city, not multiple cities across different regions.
- ✓
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Why this is correct
A WAN is exactly for connecting LANs over long distances, such as between cities, often using VPNs or leased lines.
- ✗
Personal Area Network (PAN)
Why it's wrong here
A PAN is for short-range personal device connections, not for inter-city networking.
Quick reference
VPN Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port | Encryption | Authentication | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKEv2 / IPsec | UDP 500 / 4500 | AES-256 | Certificates / PSK | Site-to-site & remote access |
| SSL / TLS VPN | TCP 443 | TLS 1.3 | Certificates / MFA | Clientless remote access |
| L2TP / IPsec | UDP 1701 | AES (IPsec) | PSK / Certificates | Legacy remote access |
| WireGuard | UDP 51820 | ChaCha20 | Public keys | Modern high-performance VPN |
| PPTP | TCP 1723 | MPPE (weak) | MS-CHAPv2 | Legacy — avoid in production |
PPTP is considered insecure. IKEv2/IPsec and SSL VPN are the current recommended options.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
This 220-1201 question is part of Courseiva's 972-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on 220-1201
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A small business wants to connect two separate office buildings that are 150 meters apart, with no existing data cabling between them. They need a reliable, high-speed connection without running new cables. Which type of network should be implemented?
easy- A.Personal Area Network (PAN)
- ✓ B.Local Area Network (LAN)
- C.Wide Area Network (WAN)
- D.Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Why B: A Local Area Network (LAN) is the most appropriate classification. While typically confined to a single building or a small campus, a LAN can be extended to connect two nearby buildings, such as those 150 meters apart, especially when using wireless bridges. This provides a reliable, high-speed connection without the need for new physical cabling. A MAN typically covers a much larger geographic area (several kilometers), and a WAN covers even larger distances. A PAN is for very short-range personal device connections.
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.