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220-1201 Practice Question: A small office has a single internet connection…
A small office has a single internet connection and needs to provide wired network access to 20 computers. They also need to allow guests to connect wirelessly but keep the guest traffic separate from the internal network. Which single device can handle both wired switching and wireless access with VLAN support?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse a wireless access point (which only bridges wireless to wired) with a wireless router (which includes routing, switching, and wireless), leading them to choose Option C despite its lack of integrated switching and VLAN support.
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
✓
Wireless router
A wireless router (often a small business or SOHO router) integrates a switch, a router, and a wireless access point into one device. It can provide wired switching for the 20 computers and wireless access for guests, and with VLAN support, it can isolate guest traffic from the internal network using 802.1Q tagging or built-in guest network features. This makes it the single device that meets all the requirements.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Managed switch
Why it's wrong here
A managed switch primarily operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model, facilitating efficient data forwarding between wired devices within a local area network and offering advanced features like VLANs for network segmentation. While crucial for larger wired networks, it lacks the integrated routing capabilities to connect to the internet directly and does not provide wireless access, requiring additional dedicated devices for those functions.
- ✓
Wireless router
Why this is correct
A wireless router is the ideal solution for a small office, consolidating the functions of a router, a multi-port switch, and a wireless access point into a single device. It provides NAT and firewall services to connect the internal network to the internet, offers multiple wired Ethernet ports for local devices, and broadcasts a Wi-Fi signal for wireless connectivity, often supporting guest VLANs for enhanced security.
- ✗
Wireless access point
Why it's wrong here
A wireless access point (WAP) is designed solely to provide wireless connectivity by converting wired network signals into radio waves for client devices. It functions as a bridge between wireless clients and a wired network, but it does not include a built-in router for internet connectivity or a multi-port switch for multiple wired devices, making it insufficient as a standalone solution for a small office's complete networking needs.
- ✗
Hub
Why it's wrong here
A hub is a rudimentary Layer 1 device that simply repeats all incoming data to every other connected port, creating a single collision domain and significantly reducing network efficiency. It lacks any intelligence for traffic management, does not support modern features like VLANs or wireless, and is completely unsuitable for any contemporary network due to its performance limitations and security vulnerabilities.
Visual reference
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
Mobile Device Types and Features
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.