hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is setting up a temporary network…
A technician is setting up a temporary network for a conference where attendees' laptops need to share files directly without any central access point or router. The conference room has no existing network infrastructure. Which network type should be configured, and what is a potential security risk?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that a software access point (Option A) is the same as ad hoc mode, but a software AP still creates a centralized infrastructure network, not a true peer-to-peer connection.
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
✓
Ad hoc network; each laptop connects directly to others, but encryption may not be enforced.
An ad hoc network (IBSS) allows laptops to communicate directly without a central access point, which matches the requirement for direct file sharing with no existing infrastructure. The security risk is that encryption (like WEP or WPA2-Personal) may not be enforced by default in ad hoc mode, leaving data transmissions vulnerable to eavesdropping.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Infrastructure mode WLAN; configure a laptop as a software access point.
Why it's wrong here
Infrastructure mode WLAN inherently relies on a central access point (AP) to manage connections and forward data between devices. While configuring a laptop as a software access point can create this central point, it still functions as an intermediary, routing all traffic. This contradicts scenarios where direct, peer-to-peer communication without any central device, even a temporary software one, is desired for simplicity or lack of dedicated hardware.
- ✓
Ad hoc network; each laptop connects directly to others, but encryption may not be enforced.
Why this is correct
An ad hoc network, also known as an Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS), enables direct device-to-device communication without requiring a central access point. Each laptop connects directly to others within range, forming a peer-to-peer network ideal for quick, temporary file sharing among a small group. However, a significant drawback is that security protocols like WPA2 are often not natively enforced or easily configured in traditional ad hoc mode, leaving data transmissions vulnerable to interception.
- ✗
PAN network using Bluetooth; all laptops pair via Bluetooth.
Why it's wrong here
A Personal Area Network (PAN) using Bluetooth is designed for connecting a small number of personal devices over very short distances, typically less than 10 meters. While it can facilitate file transfers, its limited throughput (speed) and restricted number of simultaneous connections (often 7 active devices in a piconet) make it impractical for efficiently sharing files among multiple laptops. Wi-Fi-based solutions offer significantly greater range, speed, and scalability for such a task.
- ✗
Mesh network; each laptop acts as a node forwarding traffic.
Why it's wrong here
A mesh network requires each laptop to forward traffic for others, but the scenario demands direct file sharing without any central access point or router. This fails because mesh nodes still rely on routing protocols and multi-hop forwarding, which introduces complexity and dependency on intermediary devices. It is tempting because mesh networks are designed for decentralised, ad-hoc connectivity in environments lacking infrastructure, such as disaster recovery sites, where they would be the correct choice for resilient, self-healing communication.
Go deeper
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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.