N10-009 Network Implementation Practice Question
A network engineer needs to connect two buildings that are 200 meters apart with a 1 Gbps link. The path is outdoors and susceptible to lightning strikes. Which cable type is the most appropriate for this scenario?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to choose Cat6a UTP because they focus on bandwidth and distance but forget the outdoor lightning risk, assuming that higher-category copper can handle longer distances, when in fact all UTP copper is limited to 100 meters for Ethernet and is conductive.
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
✓
Multimode fiber optic
Multimode fiber optic cable is the most appropriate choice because it supports 1 Gbps over distances up to 550 meters (using OM2/OM3 fiber) and is completely immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI) from lightning strikes. Unlike copper cabling, fiber uses light pulses for transmission, so it does not conduct electricity, making it ideal for outdoor runs between buildings where lightning is a risk.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Cat6a UTP
Why it's wrong here
While Cat6a UTP cable is designed for 10 Gbps speeds, its maximum reliable distance for that performance is 100 meters. At 200 meters, even a 1 Gbps connection would be highly unreliable and fall outside IEEE specifications, leading to significant packet loss and reduced throughput. Additionally, as a metallic conductor, Cat6a remains susceptible to ground potential differences and lightning-induced surges when connecting separate buildings.
When this WOULD be correct
A network engineer needs to connect two devices within the same building, less than 100 meters apart, with a 10 Gbps link in a low-interference environment where cost is a primary concern.
- ✓
Multimode fiber optic
Why this is correct
Multimode fiber, specifically using standards like 1000BASE-SX, is the optimal choice for a 1 Gbps connection over 200 meters. It reliably supports this speed over distances up to 550 meters, easily exceeding the requirement. Crucially, fiber optic cabling is completely immune to electromagnetic interference and lightning strikes, making it ideal for connecting separate buildings and ensuring robust, high-speed data transmission without electrical hazards.
- ✗
Cat5e UTP
Why it's wrong here
Cat5e UTP cable is strictly specified to support 1 Gbps (1000BASE-T) over a maximum distance of 100 meters. Attempting to run 1 Gbps over 200 meters with Cat5e would result in a non-functional or extremely unreliable link, failing to meet performance requirements. Moreover, like all copper cabling, it is vulnerable to electromagnetic interference, ground loops, and the severe risk of lightning damage when deployed between buildings.
When this WOULD be correct
A network engineer needs to connect two devices within the same building, less than 100 meters apart, for a 1 Gbps link in a low-interference indoor environment. Cat5e UTP would be the most cost-effective and appropriate choice.
- ✗
Single-mode fiber optic
Why it's wrong here
Single-mode fiber optic cable is engineered for extremely long-distance, high-bandwidth transmissions, often spanning many kilometers. While it would certainly support 1 Gbps over 200 meters, it represents a significant over-specification for this relatively short distance. The associated costs for single-mode transceivers (SFPs) and the cable itself are considerably higher than for multimode fiber, making it an economically inefficient choice here.
When this WOULD be correct
A network engineer needs to connect two buildings 10 km apart with a 10 Gbps link, and the path is outdoors with lightning risk. Single-mode fiber optic would be correct because it supports longer distances and higher bandwidth than multimode.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The N10-009 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Multimode fiber opticCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
Multimode fiber, specifically using standards like 1000BASE-SX, is the optimal choice for a 1 Gbps connection over 200 meters. It reliably supports this speed over distances up to 550 meters, easily exceeding the requirement. Crucially, fiber optic cabling is completely immune to electromagnetic interference and lightning strikes, making it ideal for connecting separate buildings and ensuring robust, high-speed data transmission without electrical hazards.
✗Cat6a UTPWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Cat6a UTP is limited to 100 meters for 1 Gbps and is not suitable for outdoor use due to susceptibility to lightning strikes and lack of protection against environmental interference.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A network engineer needs to connect two devices within the same building, less than 100 meters apart, with a 10 Gbps link in a low-interference environment where cost is a primary concern.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may assume Cat6a supports higher speeds and distances, or overlook the outdoor and lightning constraints, focusing only on the 1 Gbps requirement.
✗Cat5e UTPWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Cat5e UTP supports only up to 100 meters for 1 Gbps, but the distance is 200 meters, exceeding its maximum segment length. Additionally, UTP is not suitable for outdoor use in lightning-prone areas as it can conduct electrical surges.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A network engineer needs to connect two devices within the same building, less than 100 meters apart, for a 1 Gbps link in a low-interference indoor environment. Cat5e UTP would be the most cost-effective and appropriate choice.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may mistakenly think Cat5e is sufficient for 1 Gbps over longer distances or overlook the distance limitation, focusing only on the speed requirement. They might also underestimate the risks of outdoor and lightning exposure.
✗Single-mode fiber opticWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Single-mode fiber optic is designed for long-distance links (typically kilometers) and is overkill for a 200-meter run; multimode fiber is more cost-effective for this distance and still provides 1 Gbps.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A network engineer needs to connect two buildings 10 km apart with a 10 Gbps link, and the path is outdoors with lightning risk. Single-mode fiber optic would be correct because it supports longer distances and higher bandwidth than multimode.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may assume single-mode is always superior to multimode, or they may confuse the distance limitations, thinking single-mode is required for any outdoor fiber run.
Analysis generated from the official N10-009blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Physical Network Infrastructure
Key term
Multimode fiber
A type of optical fiber that carries multiple light signals simultaneously over short to medium distances, commonly used in local area networks and data centers.
Key term
Fiber optic cable
A fiber optic cable is a high-speed data transmission medium that uses pulses of light traveling through thin strands of glass or plastic to carry information over long distances with minimal signal loss.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.