Question 54 of 1,020

Network Types →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Client-Server LAN vs Peer-to-Peer Explained

This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network types. 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 company deploys a network where each department has its own switch, and all switches connect to a central core switch. The network uses VLANs to separate traffic for finance, HR, and engineering. Which network type best describes the overall architecture, and what is a key characteristic?

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.

A
Peer-to-peer network; each department shares resources directly.
Why wrong: Peer-to-peer networks lack central management and VLAN capability; this hierarchical design is client-server.
B
Client-server LAN with VLAN segmentation; the core switch routes between VLANs.
A client-server LAN uses central devices like switches and routers; VLANs logically separate traffic, and the core switch handles inter-VLAN routing.
C
Wide area network (WAN); the departments are in different locations.
Why wrong: All departments are in the same building, connected to a core switch, so this is a LAN, not a WAN.
D
Metropolitan area network (MAN); the switches are spread across a city.
Why wrong: The scenario describes a single location with a core switch, not a city-wide network.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Quick Answer

The answer is a client-server LAN with VLAN segmentation, because the hierarchical design with a central core switch managing inter-VLAN routing mirrors the dedicated server model where the core switch acts as the central authority for traffic between departments. This architecture is a classic client-server LAN, not peer-to-peer, since the core switch provides centralized routing and control, while VLANs logically isolate finance, HR, and engineering traffic for security and performance. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this tests your understanding of network topologies and VLANs—a common trap is confusing VLAN segmentation with a peer-to-peer setup, but remember that peer-to-peer lacks a central device and is flat, not hierarchical. A key memory tip: think of the core switch as the “server” that routes between VLANs, just like a server manages client requests, so “core equals central control” for the exam.

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

✓

Client-server LAN with VLAN segmentation; the core switch routes between VLANs.

The architecture is a client-server LAN because all department switches connect to a central core switch, which provides centralized routing and management. VLAN segmentation isolates traffic for finance, HR, and engineering, and the core switch performs inter-VLAN routing (typically using a router-on-a-stick or Layer 3 switch with SVIs) to allow controlled communication between VLANs. This design is a classic hierarchical LAN topology, not a peer-to-peer, WAN, or MAN.

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.

✗
Peer-to-peer network; each department shares resources directly.
Why it's wrong here
Peer-to-peer networks lack central management and VLAN capability; this hierarchical design is client-server.
✓
Client-server LAN with VLAN segmentation; the core switch routes between VLANs.
Why this is correct
A client-server LAN uses central devices like switches and routers; VLANs logically separate traffic, and the core switch handles inter-VLAN routing.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Wide area network (WAN); the departments are in different locations.
Why it's wrong here
All departments are in the same building, connected to a core switch, so this is a LAN, not a WAN.
✗
Metropolitan area network (MAN); the switches are spread across a city.
Why it's wrong here
The scenario describes a single location with a core switch, not a city-wide network.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Cisco often tests the distinction between LAN and WAN by embedding VLANs in a single-site scenario; the trap here is assuming that VLANs imply multiple locations (WAN/MAN) rather than recognizing that VLANs are a LAN segmentation technique that can exist within a single building.

Trap categories for this question

Scenario analysis trap
The scenario describes a single location with a core switch, not a city-wide network.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Inter-VLAN routing on the core switch can be implemented using a Layer 3 switch with switched virtual interfaces (SVIs), where each VLAN gets an IP interface (e.g., interface Vlan10 with ip address 192.168.10.1 255.255.255.0). The switch uses its routing table (often with OSPF or static routes) to forward packets between VLANs without an external router, reducing latency. In real-world scenarios, this design is common in campus networks to enforce access control lists (ACLs) between sensitive departments like finance and engineering.

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 help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.

Visual reference

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.

Related 220-1201 practice-question pages

Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.

Mobile Device Hardware Servicing practice questions

Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Hardware Servicing.

Mobile Device Connection Methods practice questions

Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Connection Methods.

Mobile Device Accessories practice questions

Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Accessories.

Mobile Device Network Connectivity practice questions

Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Network Connectivity.

Mobile Device Application Support practice questions

Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Application Support.

Network Protocols practice questions

Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Protocols.

TCP & UDP Ports practice questions

Practise 220-1201 questions linked to TCP & UDP Ports.

Wireless Networking Technologies practice questions

Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Wireless Networking Technologies.

Network Services practice questions

Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Services.

Network Configuration Concepts practice questions

Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Configuration Concepts.

Common Networking Hardware practice questions

Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Common Networking Hardware.

IP Addressing practice questions

Practise 220-1201 questions linked to IP Addressing.

Practice this exam

Start a free 220-1201 practice session

Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.

10 questions 20 questions 30 questions 50 questions Timed 30

220-1201 practice-test guide →Study guide →Browse all practice tests

FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 220-1201 question test?

Network Types — This question tests Network Types — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Client-server LAN with VLAN segmentation; the core switch routes between VLANs. — The architecture is a client-server LAN because all department switches connect to a central core switch, which provides centralized routing and management. VLAN segmentation isolates traffic for finance, HR, and engineering, and the core switch performs inter-VLAN routing (typically using a router-on-a-stick or Layer 3 switch with SVIs) to allow controlled communication between VLANs. This design is a classic hierarchical LAN topology, not a peer-to-peer, WAN, or MAN.

What should I do if I get this 220-1201 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". 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.

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 →

How Courseiva writes practice questions · Editorial policy

Same concept, more angles

1 more ways this is tested on 220-1201

These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.

Variation 1. A customer reports that their smart TV, which is connected to the home network via Wi-Fi, can stream video from the internet but cannot access media files stored on a wired desktop PC in the same home. The TV and PC are on the same IP subnet. Which network type is most likely being used, and why does this cause the issue?

easy

A.Client-server network; the TV cannot authenticate to the server.
✓ B.Peer-to-peer network; the TV and PC may be in different workgroups or have disabled file sharing.
C.Mesh network; the TV is connected to a different mesh node that blocks local traffic.
D.PAN network; the TV is using Bluetooth instead of Wi-Fi.

Why B: Option B is correct because a peer-to-peer (P2P) network typically uses workgroups and relies on each device to share resources individually. The TV can stream from the internet (using a client-server model with a remote streaming service) but cannot access local files because the PC may be in a different workgroup, have file sharing disabled, or require SMB/CIFS authentication that the TV cannot perform. Since both devices are on the same IP subnet, the issue is not routing but rather the lack of a centralized authentication or discovery mechanism, which is characteristic of a P2P network.

Keep practising

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.

Loading comments…

This 220-1201 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 220-1201 exam.