CompTIA 220-1201 - CompTIA A+ Core 1 Exam (2026)

The correct answer is B. Moving to a supported system under a Type 2 hypervisor.

In the CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) objectives, virtualization is a key concept for maintaining compatibility with legacy systems. A Type 2 hypervisor (hosted hypervisor) runs on top of an existing operating system and allows users to run a virtual machine (VM) with an older OS.

This solution is ideal because:

It allows the legacy application to run in its required OS environment.

It avoids replacing the application (which could cause data loss or compatibility issues).

It is cost-effective, as it uses existing hardware.

It minimizes user disruption, since users can continue using the application within a VM.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Setting up a bare-metal hypervisor

A Type 1 (bare-metal) hypervisor is more complex, costly, and disruptive. It typically requires dedicating hardware and is not ideal for a single department use case.

C. Upgrading to an alternative product and importing the data

Although this may be a long-term solution, it involves higher cost, potential data loss, retraining, and disruption.

D. Uploading the database to a private cloud

This does not solve the compatibility issue of the legacy application with the new OS.

Final Answer: B. Moving to a supported system under a Type 2 hypervisor

In the CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) exam objectives, cloud deployment models describe how and where computing resources are hosted and who has access to them. A private cloud is defined as a cloud environment that is dedicated to a single organization and may be hosted on-premises within the company’s own data center or in a dedicated external facility. Since the question states that the directory services server is located on premises, it indicates that the organization is hosting and managing its own infrastructure internally. This aligns directly with the definition of a private cloud deployment model.

Directory services—such as Microsoft Active Directory or LDAP-based services—are commonly deployed internally to manage user authentication, authorization, group policies, and resource access within an organization. When these services run on company-owned hardware inside the organization’s network, the infrastructure remains under the organization’s full administrative control, security policies, and management.

The other options do not match this scenario. A public cloud is hosted by third-party providers and shared among multiple customers ☁. A hybrid cloud combines on-premises infrastructure with public cloud services. A community cloud is shared by multiple organizations with similar requirements. Because the system is hosted internally for a single organization, the correct classification is Private Cloud .

The correct answer is C. Synchronized system clocks.

According to CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 objectives under Networking and Server Services, NTP (Network Time Protocol) is used to synchronize the clocks of computers across a network to a common time source. This is critical for:

Ensuring accurate timestamps for logs and events.

Coordinating scheduled tasks across multiple systems.

Preventing authentication issues in environments that rely on time-based credentials (e.g., Kerberos).

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Defined network transport protocols: NTP itself is a protocol that uses UDP, but its primary purpose is not defining transport protocols.

B. Enabled print services on the server: NTP does not relate to printing.

D. Defined server options in DHCP: NTP may be referenced by DHCP options, but the act of adding NTP to a server is focused on time synchronization, not DHCP configuration.

An MX, or Mail Exchanger, record is a type of DNS resource record. It identifies the mail server responsible for accepting email for a particular domain. Consequently, an MX record is created or modified in the domain’s DNS zone , which is hosted on a DNS server.

Although the MX record points to a mail server, the record itself is configured through DNS. The mail server is the destination identified by the record, not the service in which the DNS record is stored.

A proxy server intermediates network requests, commonly for filtering, caching, or privacy.

A mail server sends, receives, and stores email, but DNS tells other systems how to locate it.

A print server manages printers and print jobs.

CompTIA objective 2.4 specifically includes DNS record types such as A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, and TXT. Microsoft also defines an MX record as a DNS resource record that identifies a domain’s mail server.

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An IP address in the 169.254.x.x range indicates the device has assigned itself an APIPA address (Automatic Private IP Addressing). This happens when the device is configured to obtain an IP address automatically but cannot reach a DHCP server to receive a valid IP configuration for the local network. With an APIPA address, the device can sometimes communicate only with other devices in the same 169.254.x.x range on the local link, but it typically will not have a correct default gateway or DNS server settings. Without a valid gateway, the device cannot route traffic to the internet, which explains why it cannot access internet websites.

Option C is therefore the most likely cause: the DHCP assignment cannot be obtained due to issues such as a disconnected network cable, disabled Wi-Fi, DHCP server outage, VLAN misconfiguration, or a blocked DHCP request/response on the network.

Option B (DNS failure) could prevent name resolution, but it would not by itself cause an APIPA address. Option A suggests a static configuration problem, yet APIPA usually appears when the device is set to DHCP, not static. Option D could also break internet access, but it would not specifically result in a 169.254 address on the client.

An A record maps a domain name to an IPv4 address in a DNS server.

From CompTIA A+ 220-1101 Official Study Guide, Objective 2.6 – DNS records:

“A records map hostnames to IPv4 addresses, while AAAA records map to IPv6 addresses.”

Verified Source:

CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) Official Study Guide, Chapter 2: DNS Records

CompTIA Exam Objectives 220-1101, Domain 2.6

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Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) provides the foundational computing components: virtualized hardware, storage, networking, and hypervisor resources. CompTIA A+ explains that customers using IaaS are responsible for installing and maintaining:

The operating system

Applications

Patches, updates, and configurations

This model gives organizations maximum flexibility because they can build custom server environments without purchasing physical hardware.

In contrast:

SaaS (A) provides fully managed applications—users do not manage OS or software.

PaaS (B) provides a development platform and tools but does not allow OS management.

XaaS (D) is a broad term meaning “anything as a service,” not a specific model.

Thus, IaaS is the only model where OS-level control remains with the customer.

Intermittent display issues, such as a screen flashing on and off, are most commonly caused by a loose or faulty video cable connection. If the power cable is confirmed secure, the next logical step is to check the video (data) cable between the monitor and the computer.

From the CompTIA A+ 220-1101 Official Study Guide, Objective 4.1 – Troubleshoot common hardware problems:

" Common video issues include intermittent display or loss of picture. The most likely causes are a loose or faulty video cable or connector. Check all cable connections before troubleshooting internal components. "

Verified Source:

CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) Official Study Guide, Chapter 4: Troubleshooting Hardware Problems

CompTIA Exam Objectives 220-1101, Domain 4.1

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The administrator should virtualize the server and place the resulting virtual machine on an air-gapped network. Physical-to-virtual conversion preserves the legacy operating system, application, and configuration while removing dependence on ageing physical hardware. An air-gapped network provides strong isolation by preventing the unsupported system from communicating with the internet or other untrusted networks, significantly reducing its exposure to remote attacks. Upgrading the operating system could make the legacy application incompatible and is not practical when the software is no longer maintained. Migrating only the application data to a SaaS provider does not preserve the business-critical application itself and may be impossible without vendor support. Decommissioning the server would interrupt the required business service. Virtualization also enables snapshots, controlled backups, resource management, and easier recovery while maintaining the isolated environment required for the unsupported workload.

Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Explanation:

When delivering 10Gbps speeds over long distances, fiber optic cables are the best choice. Here’s the breakdown:

A. Multimode Fiber (Correct Answer):

Multimode fiber is designed for relatively short to medium distances (up to 1,312 feet or 400 meters) while supporting high-speed data transfer (10Gbps and above).

It uses LED light sources and is cost-effective for environments like data centers or within buildings.

For the specified distance of over 328ft but under 1,312ft, multimode fiber is the most suitable option.

Incorrect Options:

B. Single-mode Fiber: While single-mode fiber supports much greater distances (up to several miles or kilometers) and higher speeds, it is more expensive and unnecessary for the specified range. Single-mode fiber is generally used for long-haul networking or telecommunications.

C. Cat 6a: Cat 6a is capable of 10Gbps speeds but only up to 328ft (100 meters). It cannot reliably handle the specified distance of over 328ft.

D. Cat 6: Cat 6 is also limited to 10Gbps speeds at distances up to 328ft (100 meters). Beyond this range, it is unsuitable.

Key Takeaway:

For delivering 10Gbps speeds over distances longer than 328ft (100m) but under 1,312ft (400m), Multimode Fiber is the best choice due to its ability to support high-speed data over medium distances at a reasonable cost.

If a print spooler crashes specifically with one application and no issue occurs on other systems, the most likely root cause is a bug within that specific application. Restarting the spooler and reinstalling drivers resolves system-wide or hardware-related issues not app-specific failures. This indicates the application may be sending malformed print data.

Fiber optic connections provide the highest data transfer rates and symmetrical upload and download speeds. This makes fiber the ideal choice for applications requiring high-speed connectivity, such as video conferencing, large file transfers, and cloud-based workflows.

The default gateway is the network device responsible for routing traffic from a local computer to destinations outside its subnet. When a new firewall is deployed and intended to manage outbound traffic, client devices must be configured to send packets to this firewall. CompTIA A+ identifies the gateway setting as the key parameter that determines where a workstation sends its external-bound traffic.

By updating the gateway address to point to the new firewall’s internal interface, all internet-bound and off-subnet traffic will now pass through the firewall for filtering, inspection, and routing. This ensures correct traffic flow and enforces security policies.

Changing the VPN settings (A) does not affect local traffic routing unless a VPN tunnel is active. Subnet mask adjustments (C) determine the network size but do not control routing. VLAN settings (D) require switch configuration, not workstation changes, and do not dictate default routing behavior.

Thus, modifying the gateway is the correct and necessary step to route all traffic through the newly implemented firewall.

A hypervisor allows multiple operating systems to run simultaneously on a single physical host, making it the ideal solution for providing concurrent access to different test environments. Developers can use virtual machines (VMs) for testing and development.

From CompTIA A+ 220-1101 Official Study Guide, Objective 3.7 – Compare and contrast cloud computing concepts:

“A hypervisor is software that enables multiple operating systems to run on a single host as virtual machines. This is commonly used in development and testing environments for flexibility and isolation.”

Verified Source:

CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) Official Study Guide, Chapter 3: Virtualization

CompTIA Exam Objectives 220-1101, Domain 3.7

A fileshare becoming slow over time and then failing completely strongly suggests storage subsystem degradation, often due to a failing RAID array. CompTIA A+ explains that slow file access is an early sign of a degraded array, and eventual unavailability indicates the array may have failed or entered a critical state.

Since the technician can still RDP into the server, the OS is functioning, meaning memory is likely not the issue. Network connectivity is sufficient for remote login. Backup integrity does not affect real-time file availability.

Thus, the next step is to check the RAID array status, which directly controls the server’s storage performance and availability precisely what CompTIA identifies as the primary point of failure in such scenarios.