Question 731 of 750

Remote Access Technologies →easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The correct first step is to check the Remote Desktop Session Host configuration for idle session time limits, because a consistent disconnect after a few minutes is the hallmark of an enforced idle session timeout. When a Remote Desktop Services role is configured on the server, it typically applies a default idle limit—often 15 minutes—that automatically disconnects inactive sessions to conserve resources. This scenario directly tests your understanding of how Group Policy and RD Session Host settings manage session persistence, a common objective in the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam. A frequent trap is to immediately blame network latency or firewall rules, but those would cause erratic drops, not a predictable, time-based cutoff. Remember the mnemonic “Idle Time = Disconnect Time” to link the symptom directly to the timeout setting.

220-1102 Remote Access Technologies Practice Question

This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of remote access technologies. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 customer calls the help desk saying their remote desktop session to the office workstation keeps disconnecting after a few minutes. They are using a standard RDP client over the internet. What should the technician check first?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.

Question 1easymultiple choice

Full question →

A
Verify that the user's local antivirus is not blocking RDP traffic.
Why wrong: Antivirus blocking would prevent connection entirely, not cause intermittent disconnections after a few minutes.
B
Check the remote workstation's power settings to ensure it is not going to sleep.
Why wrong: Sleep would terminate the session completely, not cause periodic disconnections. Also, the user is already connected for a few minutes.
C
Review the Remote Desktop Session Host configuration for idle session time limits.
Idle time limits disconnect sessions after a period of inactivity. This matches the symptom of disconnecting after a few minutes.
D
Reinstall the RDP client on the user's home computer.
Why wrong: Reinstalling the client is a drastic step and unlikely to fix a timeout issue; it would be done if the client were corrupted.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

Review the Remote Desktop Session Host configuration for idle session time limits.

The user's RDP session disconnects after a few minutes, which is a classic symptom of an idle session timeout enforced by the Remote Desktop Session Host (RD Session Host) or Group Policy. By default, Windows Server RDS roles have an idle session limit (often 15 minutes) that disconnects inactive sessions to free resources. Checking this configuration directly addresses the symptom, whereas other options target less likely causes for a consistent, time-based disconnect.

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.

✗
Verify that the user's local antivirus is not blocking RDP traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Antivirus blocking would prevent connection entirely, not cause intermittent disconnections after a few minutes.
✗
Check the remote workstation's power settings to ensure it is not going to sleep.
Why it's wrong here
Sleep would terminate the session completely, not cause periodic disconnections. Also, the user is already connected for a few minutes.
✓
Review the Remote Desktop Session Host configuration for idle session time limits.
Why this is correct
Idle time limits disconnect sessions after a period of inactivity. This matches the symptom of disconnecting after a few minutes.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Reinstall the RDP client on the user's home computer.
Why it's wrong here
Reinstalling the client is a drastic step and unlikely to fix a timeout issue; it would be done if the client were corrupted.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates often blame the client or local network (options A or D) for a disconnect, but Cisco tests your understanding that server-side session timeout policies are the most common cause of periodic, predictable RDP disconnections over the internet.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

The RD Session Host role uses the 'Idle session limit' setting (configurable via Server Manager or Group Policy under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Session Time Limits). When the limit expires, the server sends a disconnect command to the client, which the standard RDP client honors by closing the session. In real-world scenarios, administrators often set this to 15 minutes for security compliance, catching users who step away without locking their session.

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.

TExam Day Tips

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 220-1202 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.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 220-1202 question test?

Remote Access Technologies — This question tests Remote Access Technologies — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Review the Remote Desktop Session Host configuration for idle session time limits. — The user's RDP session disconnects after a few minutes, which is a classic symptom of an idle session timeout enforced by the Remote Desktop Session Host (RD Session Host) or Group Policy. By default, Windows Server RDS roles have an idle session limit (often 15 minutes) that disconnects inactive sessions to free resources. Checking this configuration directly addresses the symptom, whereas other options target less likely causes for a consistent, time-based disconnect.

What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

About these practice questions

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Same concept, more angles

1 more ways this is tested on 220-1202

These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.

Variation 1. A user complains that their Remote Desktop session to a Windows 10 Pro workstation frequently disconnects after a few minutes of inactivity. The workstation is on a local network. Which setting should the technician modify on the host computer to prevent this?

medium

A.Disable the screensaver
✓ B.Increase the idle session limit in Remote Desktop settings
C.Change the power plan to High Performance
D.Enable Network Level Authentication

Why B: The Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH) has a configurable idle session limit that disconnects sessions after a period of inactivity. By default, Windows 10 Pro may enforce a short idle timeout (often 1-5 minutes) to conserve resources. Increasing this limit in the Remote Desktop Session Host settings (under Local Group Policy or the Remote Desktop Services configuration) prevents the automatic disconnection the user is experiencing.

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