- A
Local Area Network (LAN)
Why wrong: A LAN is confined to a single building or campus and cannot connect two separate buildings 5 km apart.
- B
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Why wrong: A WAN is used for much larger distances and often involves internet connections, which may not be dedicated or as fast as a MAN.
- C
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
A MAN is ideal for connecting multiple LANs within a city, providing high-speed dedicated links over distances like 5 km.
- D
Personal Area Network (PAN)
Why wrong: A PAN covers only a few meters and is not suitable for connecting buildings.
Question 746 of 1,020
220-1201 Network Types Practice Question
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 is expanding its office to a new building 5 kilometers away and needs to connect the two LANs so employees can share files and access the same servers as if they were in one location. They want a dedicated, high-speed connection without using the public internet. Which network type should be implemented?
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
✓
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is designed to interconnect multiple LANs across a city or metropolitan region, typically up to 50 km, using dedicated fiber optic links such as Metro Ethernet or SONET/SDH. This provides the high-speed, private connection required without traversing the public internet, making it ideal for connecting two offices 5 km apart.
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.
- ✗
Local Area Network (LAN)
Why it's wrong here
A LAN is confined to a single building or campus and cannot connect two separate buildings 5 km apart.
- ✗
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Why it's wrong here
A WAN is used for much larger distances and often involves internet connections, which may not be dedicated or as fast as a MAN.
- ✓
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Why this is correct
A MAN is ideal for connecting multiple LANs within a city, providing high-speed dedicated links over distances like 5 km.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Personal Area Network (PAN)
Why it's wrong here
A PAN covers only a few meters and is not suitable for connecting buildings.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between MAN and WAN based on geographic scope; the trap here is that candidates see 'connecting two LANs' and immediately think WAN, ignoring that the 5 km distance fits the MAN definition, which is a specific exam objective for 220-1201.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
MANs often use Metro Ethernet (IEEE 802.1ad Q-in-Q or 802.1ah PBB) to provide VLAN transparency and high bandwidth (1 Gbps to 100 Gbps) over fiber rings. Unlike a WAN, a MAN typically operates within a single service provider's metro area, offering lower latency and jitter due to shorter physical distances, which is critical for real-time file sharing and server access.
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 220-1201 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 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: Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) — A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is designed to interconnect multiple LANs across a city or metropolitan region, typically up to 50 km, using dedicated fiber optic links such as Metro Ethernet or SONET/SDH. This provides the high-speed, private connection required without traversing the public internet, making it ideal for connecting two offices 5 km apart.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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