The correct choice is to install a PCIe SATA controller card with extra ports. This solution works because a SATA expansion card plugs into an available PCIe slot on the motherboard, effectively bypassing the built-in SATA port limit and providing additional connectors for more drives. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of expansion card functionality and the physical limitations of onboard SATA controllers—a common trap is assuming you can simply daisy-chain drives or use a USB adapter for internal storage, which is incorrect for performance and reliability. Remember that PCIe lanes are the highway for data; a SATA controller card uses those lanes to add dedicated ports without bottlenecking the system. A handy memory tip: “PCIe adds ports, ports add drives—just count the slots.”
220-1101 Connectors Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of connectors. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 upgrading a server's storage and needs to connect multiple SATA SSDs. The motherboard has only four SATA ports, but the technician needs to connect six drives. Which connector solution should be used?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Install a PCIe SATA controller card with extra ports.
The correct answer is B because a SATA expansion card adds additional SATA ports via a PCIe slot, allowing more drives to be connected. This tests knowledge of expansion cards and SATA controller limitations.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 a Y-splitter cable on one SATA port to connect two drives.
Why it's wrong here
Y-splitters are for power, not data; SATA data cables cannot be split to connect multiple drives.
✓
Install a PCIe SATA controller card with extra ports.
Why this is correct
A SATA controller card adds additional SATA ports via a PCIe slot, enabling connection of more drives.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use eSATA to SATA adapters on the external ports.
Why it's wrong here
eSATA is for external drives; the scenario requires internal connections, and adapters would not add ports.
✗
Replace the motherboard with one that has six SATA ports.
Why it's wrong here
While possible, it is not the best solution because it is more expensive and time-consuming than adding an expansion card.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
eSATA is for external drives; the scenario requires internal connections, and adapters would not add ports.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Connectors — This question tests Connectors — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Install a PCIe SATA controller card with extra ports. — The correct answer is B because a SATA expansion card adds additional SATA ports via a PCIe slot, allowing more drives to be connected. This tests knowledge of expansion cards and SATA controller limitations.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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