- A
Use a virtual USB controller and map it to the host's USB port
Why wrong: A virtual USB controller emulates a generic device, which may not provide the direct hardware access the legacy application needs.
- B
Install the application directly on the host and share the USB device via network
Why wrong: This defeats the purpose of virtualization and could introduce security and compatibility issues.
- C
Enable PCI passthrough for the USB controller card to the VM
PCI passthrough grants the VM exclusive access to the physical USB controller, meeting the application's requirement for direct hardware control.
- D
Convert the physical server to a VM using P2V and rely on emulated USB
Why wrong: Emulated USB may not support the specific hardware features needed by the legacy application, leading to failure.
Quick Answer
The answer is to enable PCI passthrough for the USB controller card to the VM. This is correct because PCI passthrough grants the virtual machine direct, exclusive access to the physical PCIe device, bypassing the host operating system’s abstraction layer and providing the low-level hardware control that a legacy application often requires to function properly. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this concept tests your understanding of virtualization hardware pass-through, specifically how a Type 2 hypervisor can allocate physical resources to a guest OS. A common trap is confusing PCI passthrough with simply attaching a USB device via the hypervisor’s USB redirection feature, which does not offer the same direct memory access and can cause driver failures for legacy software. Remember the mnemonic: “Pass-through for the PCI, not plug-and-play for the VM.”
220-1102 Virtualization and Cloud Technologies Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of virtualization and cloud technologies. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 technician needs to migrate a physical server running a legacy application to a virtual machine on a Type 2 hypervisor for testing. The application requires direct access to a PCIe USB controller card. Which of the following is the best approach to ensure the application continues to function?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Enable PCI passthrough for the USB controller card to the VM
PCI passthrough allows a VM to directly access a physical PCIe device, providing the low-level access required by the legacy application. Type 2 hypervisors often support this for compatible hardware. This tests knowledge of hardware pass-through in virtualization.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use a virtual USB controller and map it to the host's USB port
Why it's wrong here
A virtual USB controller emulates a generic device, which may not provide the direct hardware access the legacy application needs.
- ✗
Install the application directly on the host and share the USB device via network
Why it's wrong here
This defeats the purpose of virtualization and could introduce security and compatibility issues.
- ✓
Enable PCI passthrough for the USB controller card to the VM
Why this is correct
PCI passthrough grants the VM exclusive access to the physical USB controller, meeting the application's requirement for direct hardware control.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- ✗
Convert the physical server to a VM using P2V and rely on emulated USB
Why it's wrong here
Emulated USB may not support the specific hardware features needed by the legacy application, leading to failure.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1202 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
- →
Virtualization and Cloud Technologies — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Virtualization and Cloud Technologies practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All 220-1202 questions
750 questions across all exam domains
- →
CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
220-1202 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related 220-1202 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Windows OS Features and Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows OS Features and Tools.
Windows Settings and Control Panel practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Settings and Control Panel.
Windows Command-Line Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Command-Line Tools.
Windows Administrative Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Administrative Tools.
macOS Features and Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to macOS Features and Tools.
Linux Commands and File Permissions practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Linux Commands and File Permissions.
Mobile OS Features and Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Mobile OS Features and Tools.
Virtualization and Cloud Technologies practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Virtualization and Cloud Technologies.
Physical Security Controls practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Physical Security Controls.
Logical Security Concepts practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Logical Security Concepts.
Wireless Security Protocols practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Wireless Security Protocols.
Malware Types and Removal practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Malware Types and Removal.
Practice this exam
Start a free 220-1202 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Virtualization and Cloud Technologies — This question tests Virtualization and Cloud Technologies — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable PCI passthrough for the USB controller card to the VM — PCI passthrough allows a VM to directly access a physical PCIe device, providing the low-level access required by the legacy application. Type 2 hypervisors often support this for compatible hardware. This tests knowledge of hardware pass-through in virtualization.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1202 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 19, 2026
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.