- A
Cable tester
A cable tester verifies physical cable integrity (continuity and wiring) but does not display link status or speed. It cannot confirm whether the NIC is successfully communicating with the switch at a specific speed.
- B
Multimeter
Why wrong: A multimeter measures electrical properties like voltage and resistance. It cannot test network link status or speed.
- C
Toner probe
Why wrong: A toner probe is used to trace and identify cables by injecting a tone; it does not provide link status or speed information.
- D
Loopback plug
Why wrong: A loopback plug tests the NIC's own transmit and receive functionality by connecting it to itself. While it can verify that the NIC is operational, it cannot check the link status or speed with a switch.
Question 857 of 1,020
Using a Cable Tester to Verify Network Link Status and Speed
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of networking tools. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: nIC LEDs. 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 user reports that their wired workstation cannot connect to the internet, but other devices on the same switch work fine. You need to verify the link status and speed of the workstation's network adapter. Which tool should you use?
Quick Answer
The answer is a cable tester, which is the correct tool to verify network link status and speed for a wired workstation. A cable tester works by sending signals through the Ethernet cable to check for proper pin-to-pin connectivity, shorts, opens, and miswires, and it can also report the negotiated link speed (e.g., 100 Mbps or 1 Gbps) by analyzing the physical layer connection between the NIC and the switch. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between troubleshooting tools: a cable tester is used for physical layer issues like a faulty cable, whereas a loopback plug tests the NIC itself, and a toner probe traces cables through walls. A common trap is confusing the cable tester with a multimeter, but the cable tester is specifically designed for Ethernet link verification and speed detection. Memory tip: think “Cable tester checks the copper, not the computer”—if other devices work on the same switch, the problem is likely in the physical cable path, not the network configuration.
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
✓
Cable tester
None of the listed tools can directly verify the link status and speed of a network adapter. Link status and speed are typically indicated by LEDs on the NIC or reported by the operating system (e.g., Windows Network Status or Linux ethtool). A cable tester only checks cable continuity and wiring; a multimeter measures voltage; a toner probe traces cables; a loopback plug tests the NIC's ability to send and receive data but does not indicate link speed or status with a switch. Therefore, the correct approach would be to check the NIC's LEDs or software configuration, which are not represented in the given options.
Key principle: NIC LEDs
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Cable tester
Why this is correct
A cable tester verifies physical cable integrity (continuity and wiring) but does not display link status or speed. It cannot confirm whether the NIC is successfully communicating with the switch at a specific speed.
Related concept
NIC LEDs
- ✗
Multimeter
Why it's wrong here
A multimeter measures electrical properties like voltage and resistance. It cannot test network link status or speed.
- ✗
Toner probe
Why it's wrong here
A toner probe is used to trace and identify cables by injecting a tone; it does not provide link status or speed information.
- ✗
Loopback plug
Why it's wrong here
A loopback plug tests the NIC's own transmit and receive functionality by connecting it to itself. While it can verify that the NIC is operational, it cannot check the link status or speed with a switch.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates may mistakenly believe that a cable tester can indicate link status or speed. In reality, standard cable testers only check physical cabling. The correct way to verify link status and speed is to observe NIC LEDs or use network configuration tools in the operating system.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A cable tester works by sending pulses down each wire pair and measuring the reflected signal to detect opens, shorts, splits, or miswires, which directly affect link negotiation. For example, a faulty pair can cause the switch and NIC to fall back to a lower speed (e.g., 100 Mbps instead of 1 Gbps) or fail to establish a link entirely, even if other devices on the same switch work fine. In real-world scenarios, a cable tester can also identify crosstalk issues that degrade signal quality without breaking the link entirely.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- NIC LEDs
- Link status
- Network speed
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
NIC LEDs
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. NIC LEDs 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.
Review nIC LEDs, then practise related 220-1201 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Networking Tools — This question tests Networking Tools — NIC LEDs.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Cable tester — None of the listed tools can directly verify the link status and speed of a network adapter. Link status and speed are typically indicated by LEDs on the NIC or reported by the operating system (e.g., Windows Network Status or Linux ethtool). A cable tester only checks cable continuity and wiring; a multimeter measures voltage; a toner probe traces cables; a loopback plug tests the NIC's ability to send and receive data but does not indicate link speed or status with a switch. Therefore, the correct approach would be to check the NIC's LEDs or software configuration, which are not represented in the given options.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Review nIC LEDs, then practise related 220-1201 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
NIC LEDs
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
2 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 office has intermittent connectivity issues. The technician needs to verify that the Ethernet cable from the wall jack to the workstation meets T568A wiring standards. Which tool is most appropriate for this task?
easy- A.Multimeter
- ✓ B.Cable tester with wire map
- C.Toner and probe
- D.Crimper
Why B: A cable tester with wire map is the correct tool because it verifies that each of the eight wires in the Ethernet cable is terminated to the correct pin on the RJ45 connector according to the T568A standard. This ensures proper continuity and pin-to-pin mapping, which is essential for reliable network connectivity. Intermittent issues often stem from miswired or broken pairs, which a wire map test can detect.
Variation 2. A user complains that their wired connection drops randomly for a few seconds then reconnects. The technician suspects electromagnetic interference (EMI) from nearby power cables. Which tool can best confirm the presence of excessive EMI on the network cable?
easy- A.Multimeter
- B.Cable tester
- C.Loopback plug
- ✓ D.Spectrum analyzer
Why D: A spectrum analyzer is the correct tool because it can detect and measure electromagnetic interference (EMI) by analyzing the frequency spectrum of signals radiated from the cable. This allows the technician to identify excessive EMI from nearby power cables. A standard cable tester checks for continuity, wire mapping, and basic crosstalk but does not directly measure external EMI. A multimeter measures electrical properties like voltage and resistance, not interference. A loopback plug is used to test network ports by sending data back to the device; it does not detect interference.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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