- A
Cat6a copper cable.
Why wrong: Cat6a is limited to 100 meters, so 150 meters exceeds the maximum length.
- B
Cat5e copper cable with a repeater.
Why wrong: While a repeater can extend distance, it adds complexity and cost; fiber is a simpler solution.
- C
Single-mode fiber optic cable.
Single-mode fiber supports Gigabit speeds over distances well beyond 150 meters.
- D
Coaxial cable with a balun.
Why wrong: Coaxial is not standard for Gigabit Ethernet and requires adapters, making it less practical.
Question 244 of 1,020
How to Connect Two Buildings 150 Meters Apart at 1 Gbps
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of cabling. 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 customer wants to connect two switches in different buildings about 150 meters apart. The link must support at least 1 Gbps. Which cabling solution is most appropriate?
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.
Quick Answer
The answer is single-mode fiber optic cable. This is the correct choice because standard copper Ethernet cabling, such as Cat6, has a maximum effective distance of 100 meters for Gigabit Ethernet, so a 150-meter link between two buildings exceeds that limit. Fiber optic cable, particularly single-mode, supports Gigabit speeds over much longer distances—often kilometers—making it the only viable solution for this scenario. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your understanding of Ethernet distance limitations and when to transition from copper to fiber; a common trap is assuming that Cat6a or Cat7 can extend beyond 100 meters, but they cannot for 1 Gbps without a repeater. Remember the memory tip: “Copper cuts off at 100, fiber flies further.”
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
✓
Single-mode fiber optic cable.
Single-mode fiber optic cable is the most appropriate solution because it supports 1 Gbps over distances far exceeding 150 meters, with typical reach up to 10 km or more. Unlike copper cabling, single-mode fiber is immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and signal degradation over longer runs, making it ideal for inter-building connections where electrical isolation and distance are critical factors.
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 copper cable.
Why it's wrong here
Cat6a is limited to 100 meters, so 150 meters exceeds the maximum length.
- ✗
Cat5e copper cable with a repeater.
Why it's wrong here
While a repeater can extend distance, it adds complexity and cost; fiber is a simpler solution.
- ✓
Single-mode fiber optic cable.
Why this is correct
Single-mode fiber supports Gigabit speeds over distances well beyond 150 meters.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Coaxial cable with a balun.
Why it's wrong here
Coaxial is not standard for Gigabit Ethernet and requires adapters, making it less practical.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The 100-meter distance limitation for copper Ethernet cabling (Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a) is a common testing point; any run beyond 100 meters requires fiber or a repeater, but the most appropriate and scalable solution for inter-building links is fiber, not copper with repeaters.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Single-mode fiber uses a 9-micron core that allows only one mode of light to propagate, minimizing dispersion and enabling high-bandwidth transmission over long distances. In real-world deployments, single-mode fiber is often paired with 1000BASE-LX or 1000BASE-LH transceivers, which operate at 1310 nm wavelength and can reach up to 5 km or more, easily exceeding the 150-meter requirement while maintaining full 1 Gbps throughput. This solution also provides electrical isolation between buildings, reducing risks from ground loops or lightning strikes.
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?
Cabling — This question tests Cabling — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Single-mode fiber optic cable. — Single-mode fiber optic cable is the most appropriate solution because it supports 1 Gbps over distances far exceeding 150 meters, with typical reach up to 10 km or more. Unlike copper cabling, single-mode fiber is immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and signal degradation over longer runs, making it ideal for inter-building connections where electrical isolation and distance are critical factors.
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: "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.
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 →
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 wants to connect two buildings that are 200 meters apart with a high-speed network link. Which cabling solution is most appropriate?
medium- A.Cat6a copper cable
- ✓ B.Fiber optic cable
- C.Coaxial cable
- D.Wireless bridge
Why B: Fiber optic cable is the most appropriate solution for connecting two buildings 200 meters apart because it supports high-speed data transmission over long distances without signal degradation. Unlike copper cables, fiber is immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and can easily exceed the 100-meter distance limit of twisted-pair cabling, making it ideal for inter-building links.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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