This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of printers. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 technician is installing a new network printer in a corporate environment. The printer supports both USB and Ethernet connectivity. The office requires that all users on the same subnet be able to print without needing a dedicated print server. What configuration method should the technician use?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure the printer with a static IP address and connect it to the network switch via Ethernet.
To allow all users on a subnet to print without a dedicated server, the printer should be configured with a static IP address and connected via Ethernet. This makes it a network printer accessible by IP. USB connection would only allow local printing from one computer.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Connect the printer via USB to a user's computer and share it from that computer.
Why it's wrong here
Sharing via USB requires the host computer to be on, acting as a print server, which is not the requirement.
✓
Configure the printer with a static IP address and connect it to the network switch via Ethernet.
Why this is correct
A static IP on the network allows all users to add the printer by IP address, meeting the requirement without a dedicated server.
Use a crossover cable to connect the printer directly to a user's computer.
Why it's wrong here
A crossover cable is for direct computer-to-computer connections, not for network printer access.
✗
Set up a Bluetooth connection for the printer.
Why it's wrong here
Bluetooth has limited range and is not suitable for multiple users on a subnet.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 220-1201 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Printers — This question tests Printers — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure the printer with a static IP address and connect it to the network switch via Ethernet. — To allow all users on a subnet to print without a dedicated server, the printer should be configured with a static IP address and connected via Ethernet. This makes it a network printer accessible by IP. USB connection would only allow local printing from one computer.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 220-1201 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Question Discussion
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