- A
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Why wrong: IaaS provides virtual machines and storage, but the business would still need to configure and manage the file server software, not a turnkey collaboration solution.
- B
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Why wrong: PaaS is for developing and deploying custom applications, not for providing ready-to-use file storage and collaboration tools.
- C
Software as a Service (SaaS)
SaaS delivers fully managed applications like cloud file storage and collaboration suites, meeting the need for accessibility and real-time collaboration without hardware management.
- D
Desktop as a Service (DaaS)
Why wrong: DaaS provides virtual desktops, not file storage services. It would be overkill and not directly address the file server migration requirement.
Quick Answer
The answer is Software as a Service (SaaS). This is the correct cloud service model because SaaS delivers ready-to-use applications—like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365—that provide both file storage and real-time collaboration over the internet, eliminating the need for the business to manage any underlying hardware or platform. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish between SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS; a common trap is confusing SaaS with IaaS, but remember that IaaS only provides virtualized hardware, not the collaborative software itself. For a small business seeking SaaS file storage collaboration, the key is that the software is fully managed by the provider and accessed via a browser or app. Memory tip: think of SaaS as “Software as a Subscription”—you just log in and use it, no servers to patch or maintain.
220-1102 Virtualization and Cloud Technologies Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of virtualization and cloud technologies. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 small business wants to migrate its on-premises file server to a cloud service to reduce hardware maintenance costs. The data must be accessible from any device with an internet connection and should support real-time collaboration. Which cloud service model best meets these requirements?
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
Software as a Service (SaaS)
SaaS provides ready-to-use software applications over the internet, such as Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, which include file storage and collaboration features. This eliminates the need for the business to manage underlying infrastructure. The scenario tests knowledge of cloud service models: SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS.
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.
- ✗
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Why it's wrong here
IaaS provides virtual machines and storage, but the business would still need to configure and manage the file server software, not a turnkey collaboration solution.
- ✗
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Why it's wrong here
PaaS is for developing and deploying custom applications, not for providing ready-to-use file storage and collaboration tools.
- ✓
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Why this is correct
SaaS delivers fully managed applications like cloud file storage and collaboration suites, meeting the need for accessibility and real-time collaboration without hardware management.
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.
- ✗
Desktop as a Service (DaaS)
Why it's wrong here
DaaS provides virtual desktops, not file storage services. It would be overkill and not directly address the file server migration requirement.
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.
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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: Software as a Service (SaaS) — SaaS provides ready-to-use software applications over the internet, such as Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, which include file storage and collaboration features. This eliminates the need for the business to manage underlying infrastructure. The scenario tests knowledge of cloud service models: SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS.
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.
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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.
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