- A
ping -n 100 > log.txt
Why wrong: This sends only 100 pings, not continuous monitoring, and then stops.
- B
ping -t > log.txt
This sends continuous pings until manually stopped, with output redirected to a log file for analysis.
- C
tracert -d > log.txt
Why wrong: tracert traces the route once and stops, not continuous monitoring.
- D
pathping > log.txt
Why wrong: pathping combines ping and tracert but runs a single analysis, not continuous.
Question 235 of 750
How to Continuously Ping a Server and Log Results to a File
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows command-line tools. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 troubleshooting a Windows 11 system that intermittently loses network connectivity. They need to continuously monitor the connection to a remote server and log the results to a text file for analysis. Which command should they use?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"which command"Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Quick Answer
The answer is ping -t > log.txt. This command works because the -t flag tells ping to send continuous ICMP echo requests rather than the default four, and the greater-than symbol redirects all output from the terminal into a text file named log.txt, creating a persistent log of every reply or timeout. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Windows command-line tools for network troubleshooting, specifically how to capture long-term connectivity data for intermittent issues. A common trap is confusing -t with -n (which sets a count) or choosing tracert, which traces the route but does not continuously monitor. Remember the memory tip: “t for ‘till you stop, > for ‘to file’.”
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
✓
ping -t > log.txt
Option B is correct because the `ping -t` command continuously sends ICMP Echo Request packets to the remote server until manually stopped, which allows the technician to monitor intermittent connectivity issues over an extended period. The `> log.txt` redirection operator captures all output (timestamps and replies) into a text file for later analysis, making it ideal for troubleshooting sporadic network drops.
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.
- ✗
ping -n 100 > log.txt
Why it's wrong here
This sends only 100 pings, not continuous monitoring, and then stops.
- ✓
ping -t > log.txt
Why this is correct
This sends continuous pings until manually stopped, with output redirected to a log file for analysis.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
tracert -d > log.txt
Why it's wrong here
tracert traces the route once and stops, not continuous monitoring.
- ✗
pathping > log.txt
Why it's wrong here
pathping combines ping and tracert but runs a single analysis, not continuous.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common mistake is thinking that `ping -n 100` or `pathping` provides continuous monitoring, but only `ping -t` (with redirection) allows indefinite logging for intermittent issues.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `ping -t` command uses ICMP Echo Requests with a default interval of 1 second, and each reply includes a round-trip time (RTT) and TTL value. When output is redirected to a file, the timestamps are included only if the `-t` flag is combined with `| findstr` or if the command is run in a script that prepends timestamps; otherwise, the raw output lacks timestamps, which can be a subtle limitation for precise time-based analysis. In real-world scenarios, technicians often combine `ping -t` with `cmd /c "ping -t <target>" > log.txt` and use `Ctrl+C` to stop, then parse the file for packet loss patterns.
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 220-1202 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 220-1202 question test?
Windows Command-Line Tools — This question tests Windows Command-Line Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: ping -t > log.txt — Option B is correct because the `ping -t` command continuously sends ICMP Echo Request packets to the remote server until manually stopped, which allows the technician to monitor intermittent connectivity issues over an extended period. The `> log.txt` redirection operator captures all output (timestamps and replies) into a text file for later analysis, making it ideal for troubleshooting sporadic network drops.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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
This 220-1202 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 220-1202 exam.
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