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 is planning to connect two switches that are 150 meters apart. The link must support at least 1 Gbps and the budget is limited. Which cable type should be used?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "least"
Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
Why wrong: Cat6a can support 10 Gbps up to 100 meters, but 150 meters exceeds the maximum distance for any twisted-pair Ethernet standard at 1 Gbps (100m).
B
Multimode fiber optic
Multimode fiber with 1000BASE-SX transceivers supports 1 Gbps up to 550m (depending on fiber grade). This is sufficient for 150m and is cost-effective.
C
Single-mode fiber optic
Why wrong: Single-mode fiber can support 1 Gbps over much longer distances (kilometers), but it is more expensive than multimode for short runs. It would work but is not the most cost-effective option.
D
Cat5e twisted-pair copper
Why wrong: Cat5e can support 1 Gbps up to 100 meters. 150 meters exceeds the distance limit without a repeater.
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 supports 1 Gbps over distances up to 550 meters (OM2) or more, easily covering the 150-meter requirement at a lower cost than single-mode fiber. It is the best choice for this distance and budget because twisted-pair copper (Cat5e/Cat6a) is limited to 100 meters for 1 Gbps, and single-mode fiber is more expensive due to laser-based transceivers.
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.
✗
Cat6a twisted-pair copper
Why it's wrong here
Cat6a can support 10 Gbps up to 100 meters, but 150 meters exceeds the maximum distance for any twisted-pair Ethernet standard at 1 Gbps (100m).
✓
Multimode fiber optic
Why this is correct
Multimode fiber with 1000BASE-SX transceivers supports 1 Gbps up to 550m (depending on fiber grade). This is sufficient for 150m and is cost-effective.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Single-mode fiber optic
Why it's wrong here
Single-mode fiber can support 1 Gbps over much longer distances (kilometers), but it is more expensive than multimode for short runs. It would work but is not the most cost-effective option.
✗
Cat5e twisted-pair copper
Why it's wrong here
Cat5e can support 1 Gbps up to 100 meters. 150 meters exceeds the distance limit without a repeater.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the 100-meter distance limit for twisted-pair copper (Cat5e/Cat6a) at 1 Gbps, and candidates mistakenly assume Cat6a can exceed this due to its higher rating, but the standard still caps it at 100 meters for 1 Gbps.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Multimode fiber uses LED or VCSEL transceivers with a larger core (50 or 62.5 microns) that allows multiple light modes, which is cheaper than single-mode's laser-based transceivers. At 1 Gbps, multimode fiber (e.g., 1000BASE-SX) supports up to 550 meters on OM2 fiber, well beyond 150 meters, while single-mode (1000BASE-LX) can go 5 km but at higher transceiver cost. In real-world scenarios, budget-conscious campus or building-to-building links often choose multimode for runs under 550 meters to balance performance and cost.
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: Multimode fiber optic — Multimode fiber optic cable supports 1 Gbps over distances up to 550 meters (OM2) or more, easily covering the 150-meter requirement at a lower cost than single-mode fiber. It is the best choice for this distance and budget because twisted-pair copper (Cat5e/Cat6a) is limited to 100 meters for 1 Gbps, and single-mode fiber is more expensive due to laser-based transceivers.
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: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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