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220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is setting up a small office with…
A technician is setting up a small office with five computers that need to share files and a printer. The office is in a single room, and no internet access is required yet. Which network type should be created?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse a PAN with a LAN because both can operate without internet, but a PAN's limited range and device count (typically 1-2 devices) make it unsuitable for a multi-computer office with a printer.
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
✓
Local Area Network (LAN)
A Local Area Network (LAN) is the correct choice because it connects devices within a limited physical area, such as a single room or office, enabling file sharing and printer access without requiring internet connectivity. LANs typically use Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) or Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) to provide high-speed, low-latency communication between the five computers and the printer, making it ideal for this small office setup.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Personal Area Network (PAN)
Why it's wrong here
A Personal Area Network (PAN) is designed for short-range communication among a single user's devices, typically within a few meters. Technologies like Bluetooth or NFC connect peripherals such as headsets, mice, or smartphones to a computer. It is entirely unsuitable for connecting multiple distinct computers in an office setting to share files and printers, as its scope is inherently personal and device-centric, not office-wide resource sharing.
- ✓
Local Area Network (LAN)
Why this is correct
A Local Area Network (LAN) is the ideal solution for connecting multiple devices, such as computers and printers, within a confined geographical area like a small office or a single building. LANs facilitate high-speed data transfer and enable resource sharing, allowing all connected devices to access shared files, printers, and a common internet connection efficiently. This setup perfectly matches the requirements of a small office needing to interconnect several computers for collaborative work.
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Wide Area Network (WAN)
Why it's wrong here
A Wide Area Network (WAN) is engineered to connect multiple geographically dispersed Local Area Networks (LANs) over vast distances, often spanning cities, states, or even countries. It typically utilizes public telecommunication infrastructure, such as the internet, or dedicated leased lines to link remote offices. Implementing a WAN for a single small office room is excessive and economically impractical, as its purpose is to bridge distant locations, not to connect devices within one localized space.
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Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Why it's wrong here
A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is designed to interconnect multiple Local Area Networks (LANs) across a larger geographical region than a single building, typically encompassing an entire city or a large campus. While larger than a LAN, a MAN still operates within a defined metropolitan boundary, often providing high-speed connectivity for government agencies or large corporations across multiple sites within that area. It is significantly over-scaled and unnecessary for merely connecting devices within a single small office room.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Mobile Device Connectivity
Key term
Ethernet
Ethernet is a wired networking technology that connects devices like computers, printers, and servers to each other and to the internet using cables.
Key term
Latency
Latency is the time delay between a request being sent over a network and the response being received, often measured in milliseconds.
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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.