- A
The cable length exceeds the maximum for PoE
Why wrong: The maximum Ethernet cable length for PoE is 100m (328 ft). 200 ft is within this limit, so cable length is not the issue.
- B
The switch does not support the required PoE standard
The AP requires 802.3at (PoE+ providing up to 30W), but the switch only provides 802.3af (up to 15.4W). Insufficient power can cause erratic behavior and connectivity drops.
- C
The AP is experiencing interference from metal racks
Why wrong: While metal racks can cause wireless interference, the primary symptom described is intermittent connectivity after cabling, pointing to a power issue.
- D
The AP is configured with the wrong SSID
Why wrong: An incorrect SSID would prevent clients from seeing the network, not cause intermittent connectivity after power-on.
N10-009 Network Implementation Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network implementation. 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 network technician is installing a new wireless access point in a warehouse. The AP requires PoE+ (802.3at) for full operation. The technician connects the AP using a Cat5e cable run of 200 feet to a switch that only supports 802.3af (PoE). The AP powers on but has intermittent connectivity issues. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
The switch does not support the required PoE standard
The switch only supports 802.3af (PoE), which provides up to 15.4W per port, while the AP requires 802.3at (PoE+) for full operation, which supplies up to 30W. Although the AP powers on, it may not receive sufficient power to operate all radios or features, leading to intermittent connectivity issues. The cable length of 200 feet is within the 100-meter (328-foot) limit for Cat5e, so length is not the problem.
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.
- ✗
The cable length exceeds the maximum for PoE
Why it's wrong here
The maximum Ethernet cable length for PoE is 100m (328 ft). 200 ft is within this limit, so cable length is not the issue.
- ✓
The switch does not support the required PoE standard
Why this is correct
The AP requires 802.3at (PoE+ providing up to 30W), but the switch only provides 802.3af (up to 15.4W). Insufficient power can cause erratic behavior and connectivity drops.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The AP is experiencing interference from metal racks
Why it's wrong here
While metal racks can cause wireless interference, the primary symptom described is intermittent connectivity after cabling, pointing to a power issue.
- ✗
The AP is configured with the wrong SSID
Why it's wrong here
An incorrect SSID would prevent clients from seeing the network, not cause intermittent connectivity after power-on.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume the AP powers on means it is fully operational, but Cisco often tests the nuance that PoE+ devices may partially power up with PoE, only to exhibit intermittent issues due to insufficient power budget.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
802.3af (PoE) delivers 15.4W at the PSE (Power Sourcing Equipment), with 12.95W guaranteed at the PD (Powered Device) after cable losses, while 802.3at (PoE+) delivers 30W at the PSE with 25.5W at the PD. When a PD that requires PoE+ is connected to a PoE-only switch, the switch may still provide power but at a lower wattage, causing the AP to negotiate a lower power class or fail to power all internal components, leading to unstable operation. This is often seen in dual-radio or high-performance APs that need the extra power for features like 4x4 MIMO or USB ports.
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 N10-009 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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this N10-009 question test?
Network Implementation — This question tests Network Implementation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The switch does not support the required PoE standard — The switch only supports 802.3af (PoE), which provides up to 15.4W per port, while the AP requires 802.3at (PoE+) for full operation, which supplies up to 30W. Although the AP powers on, it may not receive sufficient power to operate all radios or features, leading to intermittent connectivity issues. The cable length of 200 feet is within the 100-meter (328-foot) limit for Cat5e, so length is not the problem.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This N10-009 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 N10-009 exam.
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