The correct answer is session persistence, commonly called sticky sessions, because without it a load balancer can route a user’s successive requests to different web servers, breaking login states and causing outdated content to appear. Session persistence works by using a cookie or source IP affinity to lock a user to the same backend server for the duration of their session, ensuring consistent data and authentication. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how load balancers maintain user state across a server farm; a common trap is confusing session persistence with simple load distribution methods like DNS round-robin, which do not preserve server affinity. A helpful memory tip: think of sticky sessions as a “server handcuff” that keeps a user chained to the same server until the session ends.
220-1101 Network Services Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network services. 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.
A company deploys a load balancer to distribute traffic across three web servers. Users report that they occasionally see outdated content or are asked to log in repeatedly. Which network service configuration is most likely missing to maintain session persistence?
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
✓
Session persistence (sticky sessions)
Load balancers distribute traffic but without session persistence (sticky sessions), a user may be directed to different servers during a session, losing login state or cached data. Configuring the load balancer to use cookies or source IP affinity ensures the same server handles the session. DNS round-robin alone would cause similar issues.
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.
✗
DNS round-robin
Why it's wrong here
DNS round-robin rotates IPs but doesn't track sessions; it would also cause the issue, not fix it.
✓
Session persistence (sticky sessions)
Why this is correct
Session persistence ensures a user is directed to the same server for the duration of their session, preventing login and data inconsistencies.
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.
✗
DHCP reservation
Why it's wrong here
DHCP reservation assigns a fixed IP to a device but does not affect load balancing or session handling.
✗
Port forwarding
Why it's wrong here
Port forwarding directs traffic to a single server; it does not distribute load or maintain sessions across multiple servers.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Network Services — This question tests Network Services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Session persistence (sticky sessions) — Load balancers distribute traffic but without session persistence (sticky sessions), a user may be directed to different servers during a session, losing login state or cached data. Configuring the load balancer to use cookies or source IP affinity ensures the same server handles the session. DNS round-robin alone would cause similar issues.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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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Question Discussion
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