Question 153 of 1,020

Common Networking Hardware →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is to install 10 Gbps switches while keeping the existing Cat6a cabling. This is correct because Cat6a cabling is specifically rated to support 10 Gbps speeds at distances up to 100 meters, so the physical infrastructure is already capable of handling the upgrade. The real bottleneck in this scenario is the current Gigabit switches, which cap throughput at 1 Gbps regardless of cable quality. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your understanding of cabling standards versus hardware limitations—a common trap is assuming you need new cable, when in fact Cat6a is fully 10 Gbps-ready. A useful memory tip: think of the cable as the highway and the switch as the on-ramp; a wide highway (Cat6a) is useless if the on-ramp (switch) is narrow.

220-1101 Common Networking Hardware Practice Question

This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of common networking hardware. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 is upgrading its network to support 10 Gbps speeds for a server farm. The existing cabling is Cat6a, and the switches are Gigabit. The IT manager wants to minimize cost while achieving 10 Gbps. Which hardware change is required?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.

Question 1hardmultiple choice

Full question →

A
Replace the Cat6a cabling with Cat7 cabling.
Why wrong: Cat6a already supports 10 Gbps at 100 meters. Cat7 is not necessary and is not a standard recognized by TIA/EIA for Ethernet.
B
Install 10 Gbps switches and use the existing Cat6a cabling.
Correct. Cat6a supports 10 Gbps, so only the switches need to be upgraded to 10 Gbps models. This is the most cost-effective solution.
C
Replace the switches with Gigabit models that have SFP+ ports for fiber.
Why wrong: SFP+ ports can support 10 Gbps, but the scenario states existing cabling is Cat6a, which is copper. Using SFP+ would require fiber cabling, adding cost.
D
Add a repeater to boost the signal on the existing Cat6a cabling.
Why wrong: Repeaters are used to extend distance, not increase speed. Cat6a already supports 10 Gbps at the required distance, so a repeater is unnecessary.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

Install 10 Gbps switches and use the existing Cat6a cabling.

This question tests knowledge of cabling standards and switch capabilities. Cat6a supports 10 Gbps up to 100 meters, so the cabling is sufficient. The bottleneck is the switches, which must be upgraded to 10 Gbps models. SFP+ modules can be used for fiber connections if needed, but the question focuses on copper.

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.

✗
Replace the Cat6a cabling with Cat7 cabling.
Why it's wrong here
Cat6a already supports 10 Gbps at 100 meters. Cat7 is not necessary and is not a standard recognized by TIA/EIA for Ethernet.
✓
Install 10 Gbps switches and use the existing Cat6a cabling.
Why this is correct
Correct. Cat6a supports 10 Gbps, so only the switches need to be upgraded to 10 Gbps models. This is the most cost-effective solution.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Replace the switches with Gigabit models that have SFP+ ports for fiber.
Why it's wrong here
SFP+ ports can support 10 Gbps, but the scenario states existing cabling is Cat6a, which is copper. Using SFP+ would require fiber cabling, adding cost.
✗
Add a repeater to boost the signal on the existing Cat6a cabling.
Why it's wrong here
Repeaters are used to extend distance, not increase speed. Cat6a already supports 10 Gbps at the required distance, so a repeater is unnecessary.

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.

Trap categories for this question

Scenario analysis trap
SFP+ ports can support 10 Gbps, but the scenario states existing cabling is Cat6a, which is copper. Using SFP+ would require fiber cabling, adding cost.

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.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

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.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 220-1201 question test?

Common Networking Hardware — This question tests Common Networking Hardware — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Install 10 Gbps switches and use the existing Cat6a cabling. — This question tests knowledge of cabling standards and switch capabilities. Cat6a supports 10 Gbps up to 100 meters, so the cabling is sufficient. The bottleneck is the switches, which must be upgraded to 10 Gbps models. SFP+ modules can be used for fiber connections if needed, but the question focuses on copper.

What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

About these practice questions

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Same concept, more angles

1 more ways 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 office with 15 employees uses a single switch to connect all workstations. Users report that the network becomes extremely slow during peak hours, and some packets are being dropped. The switch is a 10/100 model with a 1 Gbps uplink to the router. What is the most likely cause of the slowdown?

easy

A.The switch is not a managed switch and cannot prioritize traffic.
✓ B.The switch's ports are only 100 Mbps, causing a bottleneck when multiple users are active.
C.The router's uplink port is faulty and needs to be replaced.
D.The switch is a hub, not a switch, causing collisions.

Why B: This question tests understanding of switch port speeds and network congestion. A 10/100 switch limits each workstation to 100 Mbps, which can cause bottlenecks with multiple users. Upgrading to a Gigabit switch would provide 1000 Mbps per port, alleviating the slowdown.

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