The answer is that the scheduled network maintenance window affected a network switch the file server relies on, even though no file server changes were recorded. This is correct because an undocumented change root cause analysis must consider the entire network path, not just the server itself; maintenance on a switch can disrupt connectivity by altering VLANs, rebooting the device, or misconfiguring ports, which severs the workstation’s link to the server without any direct server modification. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this tests your ability to think beyond obvious hardware and recognize that change management records often omit network infrastructure updates, making it a common trap to assume the server is at fault. A useful memory tip is “think path, not just box”—when connectivity fails after maintenance, trace the data route from workstation to server, and the culprit is usually a switch or router along that path.
220-1202 Documentation and Change Management Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of documentation and change management. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A user reports that their workstation cannot connect to the company file server after a scheduled network maintenance window last night. The technician checks the change management records and finds no mention of any changes to the file server. What is the most likely cause of the issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The maintenance window affected a network switch that the file server relies on
The scheduled network maintenance window is the key clue: it likely involved changes to network infrastructure such as switches, routers, or VLAN configurations. If a network switch that the file server depends on was modified or rebooted during maintenance, the workstation would lose connectivity even though the file server itself was untouched. Change management records only track changes to the file server, not to network devices, so the absence of file server changes does not rule out a network-level cause.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The file server requires a firmware update
Why it's wrong here
A firmware update would typically be documented as a change, and there is no evidence of that here.
✓
The maintenance window affected a network switch that the file server relies on
Why this is correct
Undocumented changes to network infrastructure, like a switch, can disrupt connectivity even if the server itself was not changed.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The user’s account password has expired
Why it's wrong here
Password expiration would prevent authentication but would not cause a complete loss of connectivity to the server.
✗
The file server’s hard drive has failed
Why it's wrong here
A hard drive failure would likely produce error messages or logs, and it is not related to the maintenance window.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the concept that change management records only reflect changes to the specific device in question, not to the broader network infrastructure, leading candidates to overlook network-level causes like a switch misconfiguration during maintenance.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Network switches maintain MAC address tables and VLAN assignments; a reboot or configuration change during maintenance can cause STP (Spanning Tree Protocol) reconvergence, port flapping, or VLAN mismatch, leading to temporary or permanent loss of connectivity for hosts on that switch. The file server's IP address may still be reachable from other subnets, but if the workstation's access switch port is in a different VLAN or has a misconfigured trunk, Layer 2 connectivity fails. In real-world scenarios, a maintenance window that includes 'switch firmware upgrade' or 'VLAN renumbering' is a common root cause for such intermittent or complete connectivity loss.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1202 question in full detail.
Documentation and Change Management — This question tests Documentation and Change Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The maintenance window affected a network switch that the file server relies on — The scheduled network maintenance window is the key clue: it likely involved changes to network infrastructure such as switches, routers, or VLAN configurations. If a network switch that the file server depends on was modified or rebooted during maintenance, the workstation would lose connectivity even though the file server itself was untouched. Change management records only track changes to the file server, not to network devices, so the absence of file server changes does not rule out a network-level cause.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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