hardMultiple Choice
220-1201 Practice Question: A network administrator needs to determine the…
A network administrator needs to determine the exact model and firmware version of a switch located in a remote wiring closet without physically visiting the site. The switch is configured with an IP address on the management VLAN. Which tool can be used to query the switch's SNMP agent for this information?
⚠ Common exam trap
The exam often tests the distinction between passive monitoring tools (packet analyzers) and active management tools (SNMP managers), leading candidates to mistakenly choose Wireshark because they think it can 'query' a device, when in fact it only captures existing traffic.
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
✓
SNMP management tool
An SNMP management tool can query the switch's SNMP agent using GET requests to retrieve the exact model and firmware version from the system MIB (RFC 1213), specifically the sysDescr (1.3.6.1.2.1.1.1) and sysObjectID (1.3.6.1.2.1.1.2) OIDs. This allows remote, agent-based access without physical site visits, as the switch is reachable via its management VLAN IP address.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Packet analyzer (e.g., Wireshark)
Why it's wrong here
A packet analyser passively captures frames traversing a link; it cannot issue SNMP queries to a remote switch's agent. It tempts because it inspects SNMP traffic, which is the correct choice when troubleshooting or verifying existing SNMP exchanges rather than polling a device.
- ✓
SNMP management tool
Why this is correct
An SNMP management tool queries the switch's SNMP agent remotely over the management VLAN, reading MIB objects such as sysDescr and sysObjectID that report the exact model and firmware version. This satisfies the constraint of identifying hardware without physically visiting the remote wiring closet.
- ✗
Port scanner (e.g., Nmap)
Why it's wrong here
Nmap probes TCP/UDP ports to enumerate open services; it does not perform SNMP GET requests against MIB objects such as sysDescr, so model and firmware stay hidden. It is tempting for reachability checks, and would be correct when mapping open ports or discovering live hosts on the management subnet.
- ✗
Wi-Fi analyzer
Why it's wrong here
A Wi-Fi analyzer inspects 802.11 radio frames and cannot speak SNMP over the wired management VLAN, so it never retrieves sysDescr or firmware OIDs from the switch. It is tempting because it discovers wireless infrastructure, and would be correct when surveying RF channels, signal strength or rogue access points.
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
Home and SOHO Network Setup
Key term
VLAN
A VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) is a logical grouping of network devices that behave as if they are on the same physical network segment, regardless of their actual physical location.
Key term
Switch
A switch is a networking device that connects devices on a local area network and uses MAC addresses to forward data only to the intended recipient.
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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.