- A
Cat6a cable with RJ45 connectors.
Why wrong: Cat6a can support 10GbE but only up to 55 meters, and it requires an RJ45 SFP+ module, which is less common than fiber.
- B
Cat7 cable with RJ45 connectors.
Why wrong: Cat7 is not a recognized standard for 10GbE in most data centers, and it still requires an RJ45 SFP+ module.
- C
Multimode fiber patch cable with LC connectors.
Multimode fiber with LC connectors is standard for SFP+ 10GbE connections in data centers, offering reliable performance.
- D
Single-mode fiber patch cable with SC connectors.
Why wrong: Single-mode fiber is used for long distances, and SC connectors are less common with SFP+ than LC.
Question 362 of 1,020
Which Cable for 10GbE SFP+?
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of cabling. 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 installing a new server in a data center and needs to connect it to a 10GbE switch. The server has an SFP+ port, and the switch also has SFP+ ports. The technician has a selection of cables: Cat6a, Cat7, multimode fiber with LC connectors, and single-mode fiber with SC connectors. Which cable should the technician use?
Quick Answer
The answer is a multimode fiber patch cable with LC connectors. This is correct because SFP+ ports are designed for use with fiber optic or direct attach copper (DAC) cables, and for 10 gigabit Ethernet, multimode fiber with LC connectors is the standard short-range solution in data centers, typically supporting distances up to 300 meters. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your understanding of 10GbE connectivity options and the physical interfaces used with SFP+ transceivers. A common trap is choosing Cat6a or Cat7, but those are for copper RJ45 ports, not SFP+ cages—SFP+ modules require fiber or DAC, not twisted pair. Remember the memory tip: “SFP+ loves light, not copper wire; for short runs, multimode LC is your fire.”
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
✓
Multimode fiber patch cable with LC connectors.
This question tests knowledge of 10GbE connectivity options. The correct answer is multimode fiber with LC connectors, as SFP+ ports typically use fiber or DAC cables, and multimode fiber with LC is common for short-range 10GbE in data centers.
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 cable with RJ45 connectors.
Why it's wrong here
Cat6a can support 10GbE but only up to 55 meters, and it requires an RJ45 SFP+ module, which is less common than fiber.
- ✗
Cat7 cable with RJ45 connectors.
Why it's wrong here
Cat7 is not a recognized standard for 10GbE in most data centers, and it still requires an RJ45 SFP+ module.
- ✓
Multimode fiber patch cable with LC connectors.
Why this is correct
Multimode fiber with LC connectors is standard for SFP+ 10GbE connections in data centers, offering reliable performance.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Single-mode fiber patch cable with SC connectors.
Why it's wrong here
Single-mode fiber is used for long distances, and SC connectors are less common with SFP+ than LC.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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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: Multimode fiber patch cable with LC connectors. — This question tests knowledge of 10GbE connectivity options. The correct answer is multimode fiber with LC connectors, as SFP+ ports typically use fiber or DAC cables, and multimode fiber with LC is common for short-range 10GbE in data centers.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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 company is upgrading its network to support 10 Gbps connections between server racks. The distance between racks is 25 meters. Which cabling standard is most appropriate for this upgrade?
medium- A.Cat5e cable.
- B.Cat6 cable.
- ✓ C.Cat6a cable.
- D.Cat7 cable.
Why C: Cat6a cable is the most appropriate choice because it supports 10GBASE-T (10 Gbps) over twisted-pair copper cabling at distances up to 100 meters, which easily covers the 25-meter distance between racks. Cat6a has a bandwidth of 500 MHz, double that of Cat6, and includes improved alien crosstalk (AXT) specifications required for reliable 10 Gbps transmission. This makes it the standard recommendation for 10 Gbps Ethernet in data center environments.
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 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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