Problem Based Question: Connect AP to Patch Panel?

[Jason M. Perretta]

Hey CIN-ners,

I took the A+ Core 1 220-1101 exam yesterday and wanted to "share" a question which I thought I was interesting. The problem based question showed an WAP and the back of a patch panel and the question was to select what cable you would use to connect the two. Looking at this question, I immediately thought to myself, "Who would connect an WAP directly to the back of the patch panel?" I saw my cable choices and went with an RJ-45 straight through to a stripped Cat 5e to punchdown in the back of the patch panel. Just wondering if the SMEs in here can shed a little light on this interesting question because if I'm teaching in my A+ class - you connect an AP to a switch and A+ is telling me otherwise..... this question could be the difference between someone passsing and failing.

Appreciate your insights, comments, etc.....

-Jason Perretta
IT Instructor (A+/Net+) Dunbar High School
Fort Myers, FL

 

[precious]

I appreciate you expressing your opinions regarding the A+ Core 1 exam. I recognize your interest in the question you referred to, but I would like to kindly remind you of the Pearson VUE Candidate Rules Agreement, particularly Rule #16. To ensure clarity, I have attached the Pearson VUE Candidate Rules Agreement pdf.

 

[Jason M. Perretta]

I appreciate you expressing your opinions regarding the A+ Core 1 exam. I recognize your interest in the question you referred to, but I would like to kindly remind you of the Pearson VUE Candidate Rules Agreement, particularly Rule #16. To ensure clarity, I have attached the Pearson VUE Candidate Rules Agreement pdf.

Then, who can I contact to talk about the context of the question? I'm not looking at violating any rules agreements in here. Just looking for clarity on the question.

 

[Paul Willy]

It is true that we should not give details regarding questions. However, having taken A+ 3 times over the years, with decreasing scores, only the first exam software part in 1996 was a perfect score. Since then they always have a few unanswerable questions. There is also the possibility that it was a beta question.
Instructors have a certain responsibility to add detail to help students with the sometimes unanswerable or even stupid questions that show up on the exam. Frankly if this question exists, it is dubious at best. Auto-MDIX does eliminate determining the need for a crossover cable. Therefore, both a straight through and crossover would work, assuming the correct Cat.
Auto-MDIX does have a downside, if you plug any cable into two ports on an unmanaged switch, it will auto detect and without spanning tree cause a broadcast storm that KILLS the network.

 

[jarrelrivera]

Hey CIN-ners,

I took the A+ Core 1 220-1101 exam yesterday and wanted to "share" a question which I thought I was interesting. The problem based question showed an WAP and the back of a patch panel and the question was to select what cable you would use to connect the two. Looking at this question, I immediately thought to myself, "Who would connect an WAP directly to the back of the patch panel?" I saw my cable choices and went with an RJ-45 straight through to a stripped Cat 5e to punchdown in the back of the patch panel. Just wondering if the SMEs in here can shed a little light on this interesting question because if I'm teaching in my A+ class - you connect an AP to a switch and A+ is telling me otherwise..... this question could be the difference between someone passsing and failing.

Appreciate your insights, comments, etc.....

-Jason Perretta
IT Instructor (A+/Net+) Dunbar High School
Fort Myers, FL

Thanks for the query. The answer is YES, you can connect a WAP to a patch panel. This is an industry practice with structured cabling systems. The devices connect to wall ports which are connected to a patch panel. The patch panels are then linked to network devices e.g. switch, router, etc.

Here is a screenshot from a lab re: switch to copper patch panels and fiber.
I hope this helps answer the question.

 

[jarrelrivera]

Another point that I suggest talking with your class is about the cables.
The students need to be reminded of when to use a CAT5e vs CAT6 vs fiber vs coax.
In the same discussion, include conversations about straight-through cable, cross connect, or rollover / console cables.

 

[abiodun1991]

Another point that I suggest talking with your class is about the cables.
The students need to be reminded of when to use a CAT5e vs CAT6 vs fiber vs coax.
In the same discussion, include conversations about straight-through cable, cross connect, or rollover / console cables.

The channel of communication like wired means of transmission of data have to be clearly explained to the student.

 

[Jason M. Perretta]

Thanks for the query. The answer is YES, you can connect a WAP to a patch panel. This is an industry practice with structured cabling systems. The devices connect to wall ports which are connected to a patch panel. The patch panels are then linked to network devices e.g. switch, router, etc.

Here is a screenshot from a lab re: switch to copper patch panels and fiber.
I hope this helps answer the question.

View attachment 2094

In the exam, we are taking an RJ 45 connecting that to the AP and on the other end, we're taking a stripped Cat 5e/6 cable and punching it down on the back of the panel. There is no wall jack involved. So, technically the answer to the question is wrong. If we were taking the wall jack and the wiring from the back of the wall jack to the patch panel, I would say this is correct. But an AP directly to a patch? I have never seen this in my 20 years of IT experience.

 

[jarrelrivera]

In the exam, we are taking an RJ 45 connecting that to the AP and on the other end, we're taking a stripped Cat 5e/6 cable and punching it down on the back of the panel. There is no wall jack involved. So, technically the answer to the question is wrong. If we were taking the wall jack and the wiring from the back of the wall jack to the patch panel, I would say this is correct. But an AP directly to a patch? I have never seen this in my 20 years of IT experience.

I understand your sentiment, and I am with you.
I am not with CompTIA, nor did I write the question.

I only tried to share my thoughts to possibly give a sensical response to your query.
Just my two cents.