CompTIA 220-1201 Practice Test

Explanation:

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is designed to create a secure, encrypted communication channel between devices in different locations.

Key characteristics of a VPN:

✅ Encryption: Protects data as it travels across public networks like the Internet
✅ Authentication: Requires credentials (username/password, certificates, keys) to establish trust
✅ Privacy: Hides internal network traffic from external observers
✅ Remote access: Allows users to connect securely to a company’s private network from anywhere

This matches exactly what the question describes — secure communication across different locations, authenticated with credentials.

Why not the others?

A. DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) → Automatically assigns IP addresses on a network but does not create secure communication channels.

B. CNAME (Canonical Name Record) → A type of DNS record used for mapping domain names, unrelated to secure channels.

C. VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) → Segments a local network into logical groups but doesn’t create secure connections across distant locations.

A VPN is the best and correct answer for establishing secure, authenticated communication between geographically separated systems.

Explanation:

A swollen battery is the most likely cause of the symptoms described:

✅ A bulge inside the tablet that pushes the screen outward
✅ Damage or distortion to the screen from internal pressure
✅ Device shutting off when unplugged (battery can’t hold a charge)
✅ Device still working when plugged in because it’s drawing power from the charger directly

Lithium-ion batteries can swell due to:
Age and chemical degradation
Overcharging or heat exposure
Manufacturing defects

A swollen battery is also a serious safety hazard because it can leak or catch fire. The device should be powered off immediately and repaired or replaced by a professional.

Why not the others?

A. Malfunctioning power supply → External power issues wouldn’t cause the physical bulge inside the device.

B. Damaged charge port → Might prevent charging but wouldn’t cause swelling or push the screen out.

D. Broken screen → Wouldn’t push outward; a cracked screen is usually caused by external impact rather than internal pressure.

Explanation:

Let’s analyze the clues:

1. The Lightning cable is not recognized unless flipped over.
2. The problem does not happen with other devices of the same type, suggesting the cable itself is probably fine.
3. Lightning cables are reversible connectors, so orientation shouldn’t matter unless something is blocking or preventing a proper connection on one side.

Most likely cause:
➡️ The device’s charging port is dirty (e.g. lint, dust, debris) or has damaged pins on one side of the port. This would explain why flipping the cable allows a better connection temporarily, because the physical contacts shift slightly and make better contact on the other side.

This is a very common real-world issue with Lightning ports. A dirty or damaged port can cause:
1. Intermittent charging
2. Connection errors
3. Device not recognizing the cable

Why not the others?

A. The device needs to be restarted. → Rebooting won’t fix a physical port issue.

B. The battery may be swelling and needs inspection. → Swelling would cause physical deformation, but not flipping-cable-only issues.

C. The cable is failing and needs to be replaced. → If the same cable works fine with other devices, it’s not the cable.

The correct first step is to carefully inspect and clean the charging port (using a plastic pick or compressed air), or replace it if damaged.

Explanation:

Let’s analyze the question carefully:
A smartphone will not connect to its wireless provider’s service.
This means the device can’t connect to the cellular network (e.g. no signal bars, emergency calls only, or SIM registration errors).

The very first thing to check is whether the user’s wireless subscription is active and in good standing. For example:

Has the bill been paid?
Is the plan suspended for any reason?
Has the carrier disabled the SIM due to suspected fraud or lost device reports?
Is the user roaming outside their service area and lacking coverage?

An inactive or suspended subscription would block the phone from registering on the carrier’s network entirely.

Why not the others?

A. SIM card → Important to check—but only after confirming the account is active. A good SIM won’t help if the subscription is inactive.

B. Network settings → A valid step, but again only after verifying the account is in good standing.

D. Bluetooth connection → Unrelated to connecting to a cellular provider’s network. Bluetooth is for short-range local connections, not cellular service.

So the correct first step is to check that the subscription plan is active and paid.

Explanation:

An IP address in the 169.254.x.x range comes from the Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) system, used by Windows and other operating systems.

This occurs when:
✅ A device is set to obtain an IP via DHCP
✅ No DHCP server responds to the request
✅ The system assigns itself a self-assigned (APIPA) address to allow limited local communication

An APIPA address does NOT provide connectivity outside the local subnet (e.g. Internet or other networks) and is a key sign of a DHCP problem.

Why not the others?

A. DHCP reservation assignment → A reserved address is a specific IP given to a particular device’s MAC address, not 169.254.x.x.

B. Dynamic assignment → True dynamic DHCP would yield a valid IP from the DHCP server, not an APIPA address.

D. Static assignment → Means manually configured IP settings, not automatically self-assigned.

So 169.254.0.6 indicates a self-assigned IP address.

Explanation:

A docking station is a hardware accessory that connects to a specialized port on a laptop, such as Thunderbolt, proprietary connectors, or USB-C with alternate modes. It expands the available ports, providing connections like HDMI, DisplayPort, USB ports, Ethernet, audio jacks, and power delivery.

It essentially transforms a laptop into a desktop-like workstation, making it perfect for users who regularly move between mobile and desk environments. Specialized ports often allow the docking station to handle more bandwidth and functions than basic USB hubs.

❌ Why the Others Are Wrong

A. NFC adapter
NFC is for short-range communication (like contactless payments) and doesn’t expand connectivity options like displays or Ethernet ports. It’s not a hardware expansion tool for ports.

C. Port replicator
A port replicator does add ports, but often via standard USB rather than specialized ports. It’s typically less capable than a full docking station and doesn’t usually support advanced features like charging, multiple displays, or high data bandwidth.

D. USB dongle
A USB dongle adds a single function (e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) but doesn’t offer the full port expansion like a docking station. It’s not intended for multi-port expansion.

Explanation:

A Local Area Network (LAN) connects devices within a small geographic area, such as a room or building. It’s perfect for a gaming group because it allows all participants to connect to the same local server with fast, low-latency connections and still share a single internet connection for updates or online gameplay.

❌ Why the Others Are Wrong

A. SAN
A Storage Area Network connects storage devices to servers for data storage—not for gaming or general networking.

B. MAN
A Metropolitan Area Network spans cities—not suitable for a small gaming group in one room.

D. PAN
A Personal Area Network connects devices close to a single person, like Bluetooth headphones—not suitable for multiple computers connecting to a game server.

Explanation:

A sandbox isolates a virtual machine or application in a secure environment with no outside connectivity. It’s often used for testing malware or untrusted software safely. Sandboxes prevent the VM from accessing networks or the internet, ensuring that potentially malicious software cannot spread or communicate externally.

❌ Why the Others Are Wrong?

A. VDI
VDI allows users to connect to virtual desktops over a network—it doesn’t block network communication.

B. Private cloud
A private cloud offers virtual resources for a single organization but still provides network access unless specifically restricted.

D. Type 1 hypervisor
A Type 1 hypervisor runs directly on hardware and hosts VMs. It can allow or deny network access, but it does not automatically isolate VMs like a sandbox does.

Explanation:

Mobile Device Management (MDM) allows administrators to enforce policies, manage apps, track devices, and perform remote wipes if devices are lost or stolen. MDM ensures that enterprise devices are secured and controlled, protecting data and maintaining compliance.

❌ Why the Others Are Wrong

B. MFA
Multi-factor authentication secures logins but does not manage entire devices or enforce policies on them.

C. VPN
VPNs encrypt traffic but don’t manage device settings or security compliance.

D. SSL
SSL encrypts web traffic but does not provide device management capabilities.

Explanation:

Redundant Power Supply Units (PSUs) allow servers to keep running even if one PSU fails or loses power. It’s cost-effective compared to generators or hot sites and provides immediate protection against hardware-level power failures until UPS units arrive.

❌ Why the Others Are Wrong

A. Backup generators
More expensive and primarily used for entire building power outages—not individual hardware redundancy.

B. Increasing input voltage
Would not protect servers from power loss or hardware failures.

D. Activating a hot site
Very expensive and generally used for disaster recovery, not minor power issues.