Question 62 of 520

Networking Concepts →easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is that wireless networks have lower throughput because they use CSMA/CA, which adds overhead through collision avoidance, while wired Ethernet uses CSMA/CD, which only reacts after a collision occurs. CSMA/CA requires a four-way handshake—such as RTS/CTS exchanges and mandatory acknowledgments—before any data transmission, introducing significant latency and reducing effective throughput. In contrast, CSMA/CD simply listens for collisions during transmission and, if one happens, runs a backoff algorithm before retrying, which is far less overhead-intensive. On the CompTIA Network+ N10-009 exam, this question tests your understanding of how media access control methods directly impact performance; a common trap is confusing the two protocols or thinking CSMA/CD is more efficient because it avoids collisions. Remember the mnemonic: "Avoidance Adds Overhead, Detection Delivers Data."

N10-009 Networking Concepts Practice Question

This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of networking concepts. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. 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 engineer is explaining to a manager why wireless networks often have lower throughput than wired Ethernet. Which of the following best describes the primary reason for this difference?

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.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.

Question 1easymultiple choice

Read the full wireless explanation →

A
Wireless uses a different MAC method that requires waiting for an acknowledgment, reducing available bandwidth.
Why wrong: While acknowledgments are used in some wireless protocols, the core overhead comes from collision avoidance (CSMA/CA), not just waiting for ACKs. This option is partially accurate but not the best description.
B
Wireless operates at half-duplex, while wired Ethernet typically operates at full-duplex.
Why wrong: This is true, but it is an effect of the physical layer and not the primary reason for lower throughput. The MAC layer overhead in CSMA/CA is the main factor.
C
Wireless uses CSMA/CA which involves a collision avoidance mechanism that adds overhead, whereas wired Ethernet uses CSMA/CD which only responds after collision.
Correct. CSMA/CA requires proactive steps to avoid collisions, reducing the effective data rate. CSMA/CD is more efficient in wired networks because it transmits immediately and handles collisions after they occur.
D
Wireless signals are subject to interference, but the MAC protocol is identical to Ethernet.
Why wrong: The MAC protocols are different. Wired Ethernet uses CSMA/CD; wireless uses CSMA/CA. Interference does affect throughput, but the MAC protocol difference is the primary reason for the throughput disparity.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

Wireless uses CSMA/CA which involves a collision avoidance mechanism that adds overhead, whereas wired Ethernet uses CSMA/CD which only responds after collision.

Option C is correct because wireless networks use CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance), which requires stations to perform a four-way handshake (RTS/CTS) and wait for an acknowledgment before transmitting. This collision avoidance mechanism introduces significant overhead, reducing effective throughput. In contrast, wired Ethernet uses CSMA/CD, which detects collisions after they occur and does not require such proactive overhead, allowing higher throughput.

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.

✗
Wireless uses a different MAC method that requires waiting for an acknowledgment, reducing available bandwidth.
Why it's wrong here
While acknowledgments are used in some wireless protocols, the core overhead comes from collision avoidance (CSMA/CA), not just waiting for ACKs. This option is partially accurate but not the best description.
✗
Wireless operates at half-duplex, while wired Ethernet typically operates at full-duplex.
Why it's wrong here
This is true, but it is an effect of the physical layer and not the primary reason for lower throughput. The MAC layer overhead in CSMA/CA is the main factor.
✓
Wireless uses CSMA/CA which involves a collision avoidance mechanism that adds overhead, whereas wired Ethernet uses CSMA/CD which only responds after collision.
Why this is correct
Correct. CSMA/CA requires proactive steps to avoid collisions, reducing the effective data rate. CSMA/CD is more efficient in wired networks because it transmits immediately and handles collisions after they occur.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Wireless signals are subject to interference, but the MAC protocol is identical to Ethernet.
Why it's wrong here
The MAC protocols are different. Wired Ethernet uses CSMA/CD; wireless uses CSMA/CA. Interference does affect throughput, but the MAC protocol difference is the primary reason for the throughput disparity.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates often assume half-duplex operation (Option B) is the primary cause, but Cisco tests the deeper understanding that the MAC protocol's overhead (CSMA/CA vs. CSMA/CD) is the fundamental reason for throughput differences, not just the duplex mode.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Under the hood, CSMA/CA's RTS/CTS exchange reserves the medium for a specified duration, and each data frame requires an ACK, which adds interframe spacing (SIFS, DIFS) and backoff delays. In contrast, CSMA/CD allows stations to transmit immediately if the medium is idle and only invokes a backoff after a collision, resulting in much lower per-frame overhead. In real-world scenarios, this overhead becomes especially pronounced in dense Wi-Fi environments, where contention and retransmissions further degrade throughput compared to a switched Ethernet network.

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.

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this N10-009 question test?

Networking Concepts — This question tests Networking Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Wireless uses CSMA/CA which involves a collision avoidance mechanism that adds overhead, whereas wired Ethernet uses CSMA/CD which only responds after collision. — Option C is correct because wireless networks use CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance), which requires stations to perform a four-way handshake (RTS/CTS) and wait for an acknowledgment before transmitting. This collision avoidance mechanism introduces significant overhead, reducing effective throughput. In contrast, wired Ethernet uses CSMA/CD, which detects collisions after they occur and does not require such proactive overhead, allowing higher throughput.

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: "best", "primary". 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?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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