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220-1201 Practice Question: A small office is installing new network drops in…
A small office is installing new network drops in a drop ceiling for employee workstations. The IT manager wants to minimize future troubleshooting. Which cabling practice should be followed during installation?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common misconception is that crossover cables are required for workstation-to-switch connections, but modern switches use Auto-MDIX to automatically correct the cable type. The real key to minimizing future troubleshooting is proper labeling—so that each cable can be traced from patch panel to jack quickly, without needing tone-and-probe testing.
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
✓
Label both ends of each cable with a unique identifier.
Labeling both ends of each cable with a unique identifier is a best practice for cable management that directly reduces troubleshooting time. When a cable fault occurs or a move/add/change is needed, technicians can quickly trace the cable from the patch panel to the workstation jack without tone-and-probe testing, minimizing downtime. This practice aligns with TIA/EIA-606-A labeling standards for administration of telecommunications infrastructure.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use crossover cables for all workstation connections.
Why it's wrong here
Crossover cables are specifically designed to connect two similar network devices directly, such as two computers or two switches, by swapping the transmit and receive pairs. However, when connecting a workstation to a network switch, a standard straight-through patch cable is required because the switch handles the necessary internal wiring. Using crossover cables in this scenario would prevent proper network communication, although many modern switches and network interface cards (NICs) feature auto-MDI/MDIX, which can automatically detect and correct the cable type.
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Run cables parallel to electrical wiring to save space.
Why it's wrong here
Running network cables parallel to electrical wiring is a significant installation error because it exposes the data cables to electromagnetic interference (EMI). Electrical currents generate magnetic fields that can induce noise into adjacent data lines, corrupting signals and leading to intermittent network connectivity issues, reduced data throughput, or complete communication failures. Best practice dictates maintaining a minimum separation distance or using shielded cables and conduits when proximity is unavoidable to mitigate EMI.
- ✓
Label both ends of each cable with a unique identifier.
Why this is correct
Labeling both ends of each network cable with a unique identifier is a fundamental best practice for network installations. This systematic approach significantly streamlines troubleshooting efforts, as technicians can quickly identify the source and destination of any given cable without extensive tracing. Furthermore, proper labeling simplifies future network modifications, expansions, and maintenance tasks, reducing downtime and the potential for errors in complex or high-density cabling environments.
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Use flat ribbon cables for all long runs.
Why it's wrong here
Flat ribbon cables are generally unsuitable for long network runs due to their construction and performance limitations. Unlike twisted-pair Ethernet cables, which use twisted wire pairs to cancel out electromagnetic interference, flat ribbon cables lack this noise-reducing design, making them highly susceptible to crosstalk and external interference over distance. This susceptibility results in significant signal degradation, increased error rates, and unreliable network performance, especially in environments with electrical noise.
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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.