- A
Use crossover cables for all workstation connections.
Why wrong: Crossover cables are for device-to-device connections, not for connecting workstations to switches.
- B
Run cables parallel to electrical wiring to save space.
Why wrong: Running parallel to electrical wiring increases EMI risk, which can cause intermittent issues.
- C
Label both ends of each cable with a unique identifier.
Labeling helps with identification and troubleshooting, especially in dense installations.
- D
Use flat ribbon cables for all long runs.
Why wrong: Flat ribbon cables are not rated for long runs and are more prone to interference.
Question 483 of 1,020
Cabling Best Practices: Labeling and Documentation
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of cabling. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 small office is installing new network drops in a drop ceiling for employee workstations. The IT manager wants to minimize future troubleshooting. Which cabling practice should be followed during installation?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Quick Answer
The answer is to label both ends of each cable with a unique identifier. This practice is fundamental to structured cabling best practices because it creates a clear, traceable path from the patch panel to the wall jack, directly supporting efficient labeling and documentation. When cables run through a drop ceiling, they become hidden and difficult to trace; without labels at both endpoints, a technician would have to tone out each line manually, wasting hours during future troubleshooting. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this concept tests your understanding of minimizing downtime through proper installation habits—a common trap is assuming labeling only one end is sufficient, or relying on color-coding alone. Remember the memory tip: “Two ends, one ID” to ensure every cable has a unique identifier at both the source and destination, making moves, adds, and changes painless.
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
✓
Label both ends of each cable with a unique identifier.
Labeling both ends of each cable with a unique identifier is a best practice for cable management that directly reduces troubleshooting time. When a cable fault occurs or a move/add/change is needed, technicians can quickly trace the cable from the patch panel to the workstation jack without tone-and-probe testing, minimizing downtime. This practice aligns with TIA/EIA-606-A labeling standards for administration of telecommunications infrastructure.
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.
- ✗
Use crossover cables for all workstation connections.
Why it's wrong here
Crossover cables are for device-to-device connections, not for connecting workstations to switches.
- ✗
Run cables parallel to electrical wiring to save space.
Why it's wrong here
Running parallel to electrical wiring increases EMI risk, which can cause intermittent issues.
- ✓
Label both ends of each cable with a unique identifier.
Why this is correct
Labeling helps with identification and troubleshooting, especially in dense installations.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use flat ribbon cables for all long runs.
Why it's wrong here
Flat ribbon cables are not rated for long runs and are more prone to interference.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common misconception is that crossover cables are required for workstation-to-switch connections, but modern switches use Auto-MDIX to automatically correct the cable type. The real key to minimizing future troubleshooting is proper labeling—so that each cable can be traced from patch panel to jack quickly, without needing tone-and-probe testing.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Proper cable labeling is part of the TIA-606-A administration standard, which recommends a unique identifier for each cable termination, often using a building-floor-rack-panel-port numbering scheme. In a drop ceiling, cables are often bundled and run through cable trays; without labels, a single misidentified cable can require hours of tracing with a toner and probe. Real-world scenarios show that unlabeled cables in a drop ceiling lead to 'cable spaghetti' where future technicians must cut and re-terminate to identify circuits, increasing cost and downtime.
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: Label both ends of each cable with a unique identifier. — Labeling both ends of each cable with a unique identifier is a best practice for cable management that directly reduces troubleshooting time. When a cable fault occurs or a move/add/change is needed, technicians can quickly trace the cable from the patch panel to the workstation jack without tone-and-probe testing, minimizing downtime. This practice aligns with TIA/EIA-606-A labeling standards for administration of telecommunications infrastructure.
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: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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