easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1102 Practice Question: A user working from home reports that they can no…
A user working from home reports that they can no longer connect to the company's internal file server using Remote Desktop. They confirm their internet connection is working. Which remote access technology should the technician verify is still active on the user's VPN client?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that Remote Desktop Gateway (RD Gateway) is a VPN client technology, when in fact it is a separate role that proxies RDP connections over HTTPS and does not provide full network-layer access like a VPN tunnel does.
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
✓
VPN connection
The user's internet connection is working, but they cannot reach the internal file server via Remote Desktop. This indicates the VPN tunnel, which provides encrypted access to the internal network, has likely dropped or is misconfigured. Without an active VPN connection, the user's client cannot route traffic to the private IP range of the file server, even though general internet access is available.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
SSH tunnel
Why it's wrong here
SSH tunnels, often used for secure command-line access or specific port forwarding, can technically encapsulate RDP traffic. However, they are not the standard or most efficient corporate solution for general remote RDP access to internal servers from a user's home. A dedicated VPN client is typically deployed for broad network access, making an SSH tunnel an unlikely primary verification point in this scenario.
- ✗
Remote Desktop Gateway
Why it's wrong here
Remote Desktop Gateway (RD Gateway) allows users to connect to internal RDP resources over HTTPS without requiring a full VPN connection for that specific RDP traffic. While it provides secure external access, the question explicitly asks what to verify on the user's VPN client. If an RD Gateway were the primary access method for RDP, the status of a separate VPN client would be irrelevant for troubleshooting RDP connectivity.
- ✓
VPN connection
Why this is correct
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection establishes a secure, encrypted tunnel between a remote user's device and the corporate network, effectively extending the internal LAN to the user's location. This connection is essential for routing traffic to internal IP addresses and accessing resources like RDP servers that are protected behind the corporate firewall. Therefore, verifying the operational status of the VPN client is the crucial first step to ensure the user has network connectivity to internal resources.
- ✗
VNC server
Why it's wrong here
Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is an alternative remote desktop protocol that enables graphical desktop sharing and remote control. However, the question specifically states the user is attempting to use Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to access internal servers. VNC operates independently of RDP, and troubleshooting a VNC server would be irrelevant when the issue is with an RDP connection, especially in a corporate environment where RDP is the standard.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
File Systems: NTFS, FAT32, exFAT
Key term
VPN
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and a remote server, protecting your data and hiding your online activity.
Key term
VPN
A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel over a public network to securely connect remote users or sites to a private network.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1202 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 220-1202 exam.