mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: A school district with five elementary schools…
A school district with five elementary schools spread across a city needs to connect each school's LAN to a central data center for internet access and shared resources. Which network type should connect the schools to the data center?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common trap is confusing a MAN with a WAN because both connect multiple LANs, but the key differentiator is geographic scope: a MAN covers a city or metropolitan area, while a WAN covers larger regions like states 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
✓
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is designed to interconnect multiple LANs across a city or metropolitan region, typically using high-speed fiber optic links such as Metro Ethernet or SONET/SDH. This makes it the ideal choice for connecting five elementary schools spread across a city to a central data center, as it covers a larger geographic area than a LAN but is more localized than a WAN.
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 only covers a single location, not multiple schools across a city.
- ✗
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Why it's wrong here
A WAN is typically used for much larger distances, such as connecting cities or countries, and may be more expensive than needed for a city.
- ✓
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Why this is correct
A MAN is specifically designed to connect multiple sites within a metropolitan area, such as a school district's schools and data center.
- ✗
Personal Area Network (PAN)
Why it's wrong here
A PAN is for short-range personal devices, not for connecting multiple buildings.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Network Configuration: IP, DNS, DHCP
Key term
Metropolitan Area Network
A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a network that connects multiple locations across a city or large campus, providing high-speed communication like a single large network.
Key term
Metro Ethernet
Metro Ethernet is a service that extends Ethernet networking across a metropolitan area, allowing businesses to connect multiple locations as if they were on the same local network.
About these practice questions
One of 972 original 220-1201 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.