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220-1201 Practice Question: During a network upgrade, a technician needs to…
During a network upgrade, a technician needs to connect a legacy printer that only has a USB port to the network. The printer is in a location without a nearby computer. Which device should the technician use to enable network printing?
⚠ Common exam trap
220-1201 often tests the misconception that a wireless access point or USB hub can network-enable a USB printer — only a device with both a USB host port and a network interface (external print server) can bridge the two.
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
✓
External print server
An external print server is a dedicated device that connects a USB-only printer to a network, allowing it to receive print jobs over Ethernet or Wi-Fi. It acts as a bridge between the network and the printer's USB interface, giving the legacy printer a network presence without needing a nearby computer to share it. This is the standard solution for network-enabling USB printers in locations without a host PC.
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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USB hub
Why it's wrong here
A USB hub is a passive or active device designed solely to expand the number of available USB ports on a host computer. It functions by splitting a single upstream USB connection into multiple downstream ports, allowing more peripherals to be connected. However, a USB hub lacks any internal network interface card (NIC) or embedded software to provide network connectivity, meaning it cannot convert a local USB printer into a shared network resource.
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Wireless access point
Why it's wrong here
A wireless access point (WAP) primarily serves to bridge a wired local area network (LAN) with wireless client devices, extending network access via Wi-Fi. While some advanced WAPs may include USB ports for specific functions like connecting external storage or 3G/4G modems, they do not inherently possess the necessary print server functionality to host a USB printer and make it discoverable and usable by other devices on the network. Its core role is network access, not peripheral sharing.
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External print server
Why this is correct
An external print server is a specialized hardware device specifically designed to connect a local printer, typically via a USB or parallel port, directly to a network. It features an Ethernet port for network connectivity and embedded firmware that manages print queues and protocols, allowing multiple network clients to send print jobs to the attached printer. This solution effectively transforms a non-network-ready printer into a shared network resource, making it accessible to all authorized users on the LAN without requiring a dedicated host computer.
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Network switch
Why it's wrong here
A network switch is a fundamental networking device that connects multiple wired devices within a local area network (LAN) by forwarding data frames to their intended destinations based on MAC addresses. Its physical ports are exclusively designed for Ethernet connections (RJ-45), requiring connected devices to have an Ethernet network interface card (NIC). Since the printer in question only has a USB interface and lacks an Ethernet port, it cannot physically connect to or communicate directly with a network switch.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
IoT Device Types and Connectivity
Key term
Interface
An interface is a point of connection or interaction between two systems, devices, or software components that allows them to exchange information or signals.
Key term
Print server
A print server is a dedicated device or software service that manages print jobs from multiple computers on a network, directing them to the appropriate printer and queuing tasks when the printer is busy.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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.