- A
Bridge the VM directly to the physical network adapter
Why wrong: Bridging gives the VM its own IP on the corporate network, exposing it to all network traffic and defeating isolation.
- B
Use a virtual switch set to host-only mode and configure port forwarding for HTTPS
Host-only mode isolates the VM from the physical network, and port forwarding allows only HTTPS traffic from the host to the VM, meeting the security requirement.
- C
Attach the VM to a NAT network without any port forwarding
Why wrong: NAT without forwarding would allow the VM to access the internet but not receive inbound HTTPS traffic from the corporate network.
- D
Assign the VM an IP from the corporate DHCP scope
Why wrong: This would place the VM directly on the corporate network, violating the isolation requirement.
Securing a VM with Host-Only Networking and Port Forwarding
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of virtualization and cloud technologies. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 virtual machine on a Type 1 hypervisor. The VM will run a Linux web server and needs to be isolated from the corporate network except for HTTPS traffic. Which networking configuration should the technician implement?
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to use a virtual switch set to host-only mode and configure port forwarding for HTTPS. This configuration isolates the VM from the corporate network by restricting communication to the host machine only, while a port forwarding rule specifically directs inbound HTTPS traffic from the host to the VM’s web server. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of virtual networking security and the distinction between host-only, NAT, and bridged modes. A common trap is choosing bridged mode, which would expose the VM directly to the corporate LAN, defeating the isolation requirement. Remember that host-only networking creates a private virtual switch between the host and VM, and port forwarding acts as a controlled gateway for specific traffic. A helpful memory tip: “Host-only hides, port forward guides”—the host-only switch hides the VM from the network, while port forwarding guides only the allowed traffic through.
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
Use a virtual switch set to host-only mode and configure port forwarding for HTTPS
Option B is correct because a host-only virtual switch creates an isolated network between the host and the VM, preventing direct access from the corporate network. By configuring port forwarding on the host, the technician can selectively allow only HTTPS traffic (TCP/443) to reach the VM while keeping it otherwise isolated. This meets the requirement of isolation except for HTTPS.
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.
- ✗
Bridge the VM directly to the physical network adapter
Why it's wrong here
Bridging gives the VM its own IP on the corporate network, exposing it to all network traffic and defeating isolation.
- ✓
Use a virtual switch set to host-only mode and configure port forwarding for HTTPS
- ✗
Attach the VM to a NAT network without any port forwarding
- ✗
Assign the VM an IP from the corporate DHCP scope
Why it's wrong here
This would place the VM directly on the corporate network, violating the isolation requirement.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
In CompTIA A+ exams, candidates often confuse host-only and NAT networking modes, mistakenly thinking NAT alone provides inbound access, but NAT without port forwarding only allows outbound connections.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Host-only mode in a Type 1 hypervisor (e.g., VMware ESXi, Hyper-V) creates a virtual switch that is not connected to any physical network adapter; the host OS acts as a gateway. Port forwarding is typically implemented via the host's firewall (e.g., iptables on Linux, Windows Firewall) or hypervisor NAT rules, mapping a specific host port (e.g., 443) to the VM's IP and port. This setup is common in lab environments or DMZ-like configurations where strict access control is needed without a dedicated firewall appliance.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Virtualization and Cloud Technologies — This question tests Virtualization and Cloud Technologies — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a virtual switch set to host-only mode and configure port forwarding for HTTPS — Option B is correct because a host-only virtual switch creates an isolated network between the host and the VM, preventing direct access from the corporate network. By configuring port forwarding on the host, the technician can selectively allow only HTTPS traffic (TCP/443) to reach the VM while keeping it otherwise isolated. This meets the requirement of isolation except for HTTPS.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 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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