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220-1201 Practice Question: Deploying a new VoIP phone and need to ensure the…
You are deploying a new VoIP phone and need to ensure the Ethernet cable from the wall jack to the phone is properly terminated and has no shorts. The cable appears to be wired correctly but you want to confirm. Which tool should you use?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA A+ often tests the distinction between a cable tester (for wiring integrity) and a multimeter (for electrical measurements), leading candidates to incorrectly choose the multimeter because they think of 'shorts' as a purely electrical issue, but Ethernet requires pair-wise testing that a multimeter cannot perform.
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
✓
Cable tester
A cable tester verifies continuity, pin-to-pin wiring, and detects shorts or opens in an Ethernet cable. Since the question states the cable appears correctly wired but you need to confirm proper termination and absence of shorts, the cable tester is the correct tool for this passive copper cable validation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Toner probe
Why it's wrong here
A toner probe, used in conjunction with a tone generator, is primarily a cable tracing tool designed to identify a specific cable within a bundle or at a patch panel by emitting an audible signal. While excellent for locating cables, it lacks the diagnostic capabilities to verify electrical continuity, detect wire shorts, or confirm the correct pinout and termination standards (e.g., T568A/B) essential for functional Ethernet connectivity.
- ✗
Loopback plug
Why it's wrong here
A loopback plug is a diagnostic tool specifically designed to test the functionality of a network interface card (NIC) or a network port. It sends data from the port and immediately "loops" it back to the same port, allowing the system to verify its own transmission and reception capabilities. This test isolates the NIC from the rest of the network infrastructure, confirming its operational status, but provides no information about the integrity, length, or wiring configuration of an external Ethernet cable.
- ✓
Cable tester
Why this is correct
A dedicated cable tester is the appropriate tool for verifying the physical integrity and proper wiring of an Ethernet cable, which is critical for VoIP deployment. It can perform comprehensive tests, including checking for pin-to-pin continuity across all eight conductors, identifying open circuits, detecting short circuits between wires, and confirming the correct wiring scheme (e.g., T568A or T568B) and proper termination at both ends. This ensures the cable meets the necessary electrical and data transmission standards for reliable VoIP phone operation.
- ✗
Multimeter
Why it's wrong here
While a multimeter can measure basic electrical properties like voltage, current, and resistance, and can perform a simple continuity check between two points, it is not suitable for comprehensive Ethernet cable testing. Testing an 8-wire Ethernet cable with a multimeter would be a tedious, manual process requiring individual checks for each wire pair and ground, without the ability to automatically detect shorts, miswires, or verify adherence to specific wiring standards like T568B. Its functionality is too basic for the complex requirements of network cabling diagnostics.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Network Cable Types: Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat8
Key term
Voice over IP
Voice over IP (VoIP) is a technology that lets you make phone calls using an internet connection instead of a traditional telephone line.
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.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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