Question 1,020 of 1,020

Network Types →easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Local Area Network (LAN) for Branch Office

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 technician is asked to set up a network for a new branch office that will connect back to the main headquarters using a leased line. The branch has 50 employees who need access to centralized databases and email. Which network type best describes the branch office's internal network?

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
Wide area network (WAN)
Why wrong: A WAN connects multiple LANs over a large geographic area, not the internal network of a single office.
B
Metropolitan area network (MAN)
Why wrong: A MAN covers a city, not a single office building.
C
Local area network (LAN)
A LAN connects devices within a limited area like an office, providing high-speed internal connectivity.
D
Personal area network (PAN)
Why wrong: A PAN is for personal devices within a few meters, not a 50-employee office.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Quick Answer

The correct answer is local area network (LAN) because the branch office’s internal network connects devices within a single geographic location, such as a single floor or building, and is designed for high-speed local connectivity among the 50 employees. A LAN definition and use case like this focuses on sharing resources—such as centralized databases and email servers—quickly and securely within a confined area, while the leased line to headquarters creates a separate wide area network (WAN) link. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between LAN and WAN based on scope: a LAN covers a small physical area, whereas a WAN connects multiple LANs over long distances. A common trap is confusing the internal network with the external connection; remember, the question asks about the internal network, not the leased line. Memory tip: think “LAN = Local, same location; WAN = Wide, across the world.”

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

✓

Local area network (LAN)

The branch office's internal network connects 50 employees within a single physical location, providing shared access to local resources like printers and servers. This fits the definition of a Local Area Network (LAN), which operates over a limited geographic area and uses high-speed technologies such as Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) and Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11). The leased line to headquarters is a separate WAN connection, but the internal network itself remains a LAN.

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.

✗
Wide area network (WAN)
Why it's wrong here
A WAN connects multiple LANs over a large geographic area, not the internal network of a single office.
✗
Metropolitan area network (MAN)
Why it's wrong here
A MAN covers a city, not a single office building.
✓
Local area network (LAN)
Why this is correct
A LAN connects devices within a limited area like an office, providing high-speed internal connectivity.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Personal area network (PAN)
Why it's wrong here
A PAN is for personal devices within a few meters, not a 50-employee office.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates see 'leased line' and 'connect back to main headquarters' and immediately assume the entire setup is a WAN, failing to recognize that the question specifically asks about the branch office's internal network, which is a LAN.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

A LAN typically uses Ethernet frames (IEEE 802.3) with MAC addresses for layer-2 switching, and IP subnets (e.g., 192.168.1.0/24) for layer-3 routing. The leased line (e.g., T1/E1, MPLS, or fiber) is a WAN technology that encapsulates LAN frames (e.g., using PPP or HDLC) for transport across the carrier network. In real-world scenarios, the branch LAN might use VLANs to segment traffic for security or performance, while the WAN link uses a router to connect the LAN to the HQ network.

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: Local area network (LAN) — The branch office's internal network connects 50 employees within a single physical location, providing shared access to local resources like printers and servers. This fits the definition of a Local Area Network (LAN), which operates over a limited geographic area and uses high-speed technologies such as Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) and Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11). The leased line to headquarters is a separate WAN connection, but the internal network itself remains a LAN.

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

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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 small business is moving to a new office and wants to connect all their computers, printers, and a server. They have a limited budget and need a simple, wired network that does not require internet access initially. Which network type should they implement?

medium

A.Wide Area Network (WAN)
✓ B.Local Area Network (LAN)
C.Personal Area Network (PAN)
D.Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

Why B: A Local Area Network (LAN) is the correct choice because it connects devices within a single physical location, such as an office, using wired Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) and switches. It requires no internet access and is cost-effective for a small business with a limited budget, as it only needs basic hardware like a switch and Cat5e/Cat6 cabling.

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