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 engineer needs to install 15 wireless access points that each require 25W of power. The available switch provides PoE+ (802.3at) with a total power budget of 740W. The engineer also needs to connect 10 IP cameras that each require 12W. Which of the following should the engineer verify before proceeding with the installation?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The total power consumption of all devices does not exceed the switch's power budget.
The total power required is 15 APs × 25W + 10 cameras × 12W = 375W + 120W = 495W, which is well below the switch's 740W PoE+ budget. However, the engineer must verify that the cumulative power draw does not exceed the budget, as exceeding it would cause some ports to be denied power or shut down. This is the fundamental prerequisite for any PoE deployment.
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 total power consumption of all devices does not exceed the switch's power budget.
Why this is correct
Correct. Ensuring the combined power draw is within the switch's budget is essential to prevent power failures.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The switch supports LLDP-MED for power negotiation.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. LLDP-MED can help negotiate power levels but is not required for basic PoE+ operation.
✗
All PoE devices are from the same manufacturer.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. PoE is standardized; devices from different manufacturers are interoperable as long as they adhere to the standard.
✗
The cable length does not exceed 150 meters.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. PoE is designed for a maximum cable length of 100 meters (328 feet) for reliable power delivery.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may overlook the simple power budget calculation and instead focus on irrelevant details like manufacturer compatibility or cable length limits, but the core requirement is ensuring the total wattage does not exceed the switch's PoE budget.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
PoE+ (802.3at) delivers up to 30W per port using all four pairs of a Cat5e or better cable, with a maximum cable length of 100 meters due to IEEE 802.3 specifications. The switch's power budget is a shared pool; if the total demand exceeds it, the switch uses a priority scheme (often based on port number or LLDP-MED class) to decide which devices get power, potentially leaving critical APs offline. In real-world scenarios, engineers must also account for power overhead from cable resistance, especially at longer distances.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this N10-009 question in full detail.
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 total power consumption of all devices does not exceed the switch's power budget. — The total power required is 15 APs × 25W + 10 cameras × 12W = 375W + 120W = 495W, which is well below the switch's 740W PoE+ budget. However, the engineer must verify that the cumulative power draw does not exceed the budget, as exceeding it would cause some ports to be denied power or shut down. This is the fundamental prerequisite for any PoE deployment.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 →
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.
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.
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.