- A
Use a single 120-meter Cat6 cable.
Why wrong: Cat6 cable is limited to 100 meters for 1 Gbps; exceeding this distance will cause signal degradation and loss of connectivity.
- B
Install a switch at the 60-meter midpoint and use two Cat6 cables.
A switch can regenerate the signal, allowing two 60-meter cable runs to connect the switches, staying within the 100-meter limit per segment.
- C
Use a fiber optic cable with media converters on both ends.
Why wrong: Fiber optic cable can cover 120 meters easily, but this option is more expensive and complex than necessary. It is a valid solution but not the most straightforward for the scenario.
- D
Replace one switch with a hub to increase signal strength.
Why wrong: A hub does not regenerate signals as effectively as a switch and would cause collisions and performance issues. It is not a recommended solution for extending distance.
Extend Ethernet Beyond 100 Meters Using a Switch
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of common networking hardware. 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 deploying a new network in a warehouse and needs to connect two separate switches that are 120 meters apart. The cable run must support 1 Gbps speeds. Which networking hardware component should be used to ensure reliable connectivity?
Quick Answer
The answer is to install a switch at the 60-meter midpoint and use two Cat6 cables. This is correct because standard Ethernet over twisted-pair copper cabling, such as Cat5e or Cat6, has a hard distance limitation of 100 meters for reliable 1 Gbps transmission due to signal attenuation. A switch acts as a repeater, regenerating the digital signal and effectively resetting the 100-meter distance limit at its ports, allowing you to extend the network beyond 100 meters by breaking a 120-meter run into two compliant 60-meter segments. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this concept tests your understanding of Ethernet specifications and the role of active network devices in overcoming physical layer limitations. A common trap is choosing a simple coupler or a longer cable, which would not regenerate the signal and would cause data loss. Remember the memory tip: “Switch to split the stretch”—if the run exceeds 100 meters, insert a switch to reset the distance clock.
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
Install a switch at the 60-meter midpoint and use two Cat6 cables.
Option B is correct because a single Cat6 cable is limited to 100 meters for 1 Gbps Ethernet (per TIA/EIA-568 standards). By placing a switch at the 60-meter midpoint, you effectively create two separate 60-meter segments, each well within the 100-meter limit, ensuring reliable 1 Gbps connectivity. The switch regenerates the signal, overcoming the distance limitation without violating the standard.
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 a single 120-meter Cat6 cable.
Why it's wrong here
Cat6 cable is limited to 100 meters for 1 Gbps; exceeding this distance will cause signal degradation and loss of connectivity.
- ✓
Install a switch at the 60-meter midpoint and use two Cat6 cables.
Why this is correct
A switch can regenerate the signal, allowing two 60-meter cable runs to connect the switches, staying within the 100-meter limit per segment.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use a fiber optic cable with media converters on both ends.
Why it's wrong here
Fiber optic cable can cover 120 meters easily, but this option is more expensive and complex than necessary. It is a valid solution but not the most straightforward for the scenario.
- ✗
Replace one switch with a hub to increase signal strength.
Why it's wrong here
A hub does not regenerate signals as effectively as a switch and would cause collisions and performance issues. It is not a recommended solution for extending distance.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume a single cable can exceed 100 meters if it is high-quality Cat6, but the 100-meter limit is a hard standard for 1 Gbps Ethernet, not a suggestion; exceeding it risks intermittent connectivity or complete link failure.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Fiber optic cable can cover 120 meters easily, but this option is more expensive and complex than necessary. It is a valid solution but not the most straightforward for the scenario.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 100-meter limit for twisted-pair Ethernet is derived from the round-trip delay time (RTDT) and signal attenuation characteristics defined in IEEE 802.3. A switch at the midpoint acts as a repeater that retimes and regenerates the signal, effectively resetting the distance counter for each segment. In real-world deployments, using a midpoint switch is often preferred over fiber due to lower cost and simpler termination, provided power is available at the midpoint.
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
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Common Networking Hardware — This question tests Common Networking Hardware — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Install a switch at the 60-meter midpoint and use two Cat6 cables. — Option B is correct because a single Cat6 cable is limited to 100 meters for 1 Gbps Ethernet (per TIA/EIA-568 standards). By placing a switch at the 60-meter midpoint, you effectively create two separate 60-meter segments, each well within the 100-meter limit, ensuring reliable 1 Gbps connectivity. The switch regenerates the signal, overcoming the distance limitation without violating the standard.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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