Why won't a workstation link with a 150m shielded cable?
A network technician added a new workstation to the network and needs to make a custom, shielded cable that is 492ft (150m) with both ends wired to TIA/EIA-568A standards. The workstation is not establishing a link to the switchport. Which of the following is the cause of the issue?
Community Votes
100% of anonymous learners picked answer B. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.
Community Insight
The exam tests whether you can distinguish distance-related attenuation from wiring faults; because both ends are wired to 568A, the pinout is correct and attenuation is the real cause.
This N10-008 question tests Ethernet cable length limits and the correct answer is B. Attenuation. The community overwhelmingly votes B because a 150m shielded cable exceeds the 100m maximum for twisted-pair Ethernet.
C. Incorrect pinout is the most common wrong answer, but the question clearly states both ends are wired to TIA/EIA-568A, so the pinout is straight-through and not the issue.
Community Discussion (6 comments)
Comments & Corrections
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Expert Analysis
Why the Answer Is Correct
B. Attenuation is correct because Ethernet over twisted-pair cabling has a maximum segment length of 100 meters (328 feet). At 150 meters (492 feet), the signal becomes too weak for the switchport to detect a valid link, even with shielded cable. Comments 1, 3, and 4 correctly point to the 100-meter distance limitation as the determining factor.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
A. Cable shielding helps protect against electromagnetic interference, but it does not extend the maximum distance limit. C. Incorrect pinout is not the issue because both ends use TIA/EIA-568A, creating a standard straight-through cable. If one end were 568A and the other 568B it could matter, but that is not the case here. D. Near-end crosstalk is interference between wire pairs in the same cable and is not caused by exceeding the distance limit.
Community Comment Notes
The most helpful comments note the 100-meter limitation and select Attenuation: comment 3 states, "It's B the cable went past its limit of 100 meters." Comments 2 and 5 incorrectly suggest C. Incorrect pinout, but they rely on a possible mismatch that is ruled out by the question wording. The strong community vote of B reflects a clear consensus that distance/attenuation is the key issue.
Official Reference
Exam Strategy
Always note when the question specifies that both cable ends follow the same TIA/EIA standard—that tells you pinout is correct. When you see a cable length over 100 meters, select attenuation caused by excessive distance, not crosstalk or shielding.