easyMultiple Choice
220-1201 Practice Question: During a network upgrade, you need to identify…
During a network upgrade, you need to identify which cable in a messy patch panel corresponds to a specific office wall jack. The cables are not labeled. Which tool should you use?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mistake on the CompTIA A+ exam is confusing a cable tester with a toner probe. The cable tester checks electrical continuity and wiring faults, not physical location, so candidates often incorrectly choose it for cable identification tasks.
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
✓
Toner probe
A toner probe (inductive amplifier and tone generator) is the correct tool for tracing an unlabeled cable from a patch panel to a specific wall jack. The tone generator injects a distinctive audio signal onto the wire pair, and the inductive probe detects that signal without requiring a direct electrical connection, allowing you to identify the correct cable even in a dense, messy bundle.
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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Cable tester
Why it's wrong here
A cable tester verifies continuity, pinout and wiring faults on a cable you have already identified; it cannot trace which unlabelled patch-panel port runs to a distant wall jack. It is tempting because it is the standard tool for validating cable integrity after installation.
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Toner probe
Why this is correct
A toner probe comprises a tone generator and inductive amplifier; clipping the generator to an unlabelled cable lets the amplifier trace that exact conductor to its far-end wall jack. This satisfies the unlabelled patch-panel constraint, unlike cable testers that only verify continuity of an already-identified run.
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Multimeter
Why it's wrong here
A multimeter measures voltage, current and resistance, so it cannot identify which patch-panel port terminates at a specific wall jack. It is tempting because it is a general-purpose electrical diagnostic tool, and it would be correct for checking power or continuity on a known circuit.
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Loopback plug
Why it's wrong here
A loopback plug reflects signals back to the same port for testing a NIC or transceiver, so it cannot trace a cable run between a patch panel and a wall jack. It is tempting because it is a common network diagnostic accessory, and it would be correct when verifying that a single port transmits and receives.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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