220-1101 Question 196
Single answerCoaxialA technician is troubleshooting intermittent internet outages in a small office that uses cable internet. The modem loses sync several times a day, especially after employees move equipment around the wiring closet. The technician notices the modem is connected through an older coaxial splitter that also feeds a television. To improve signal reliability, which action should the technician take FIRST?
- A
Replace the splitter with a higher-frequency splitter rated for cable internet and verify all coax connections are secure
- B
Replace the coaxial cable with an HDMI cable because both carry digital signals
- C
Convert the coaxial run to unshielded twisted pair by using an RJ-45 adapter on each end
- D
Add a second splitter so the modem and television each have a dedicated branch
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
For cable internet troubleshooting on coaxial infrastructure, technicians should first inspect the physical path: check for loose F-connectors, damaged coax runs, and low-quality or improperly rated splitters. Every splitter introduces some signal loss, so minimizing unnecessary splits is a best practice. Cable internet services commonly use DOCSIS over RG-6 coaxial cabling with F-type connectors, and broadband splitters must support the frequency range required by the provider. In practical support scenarios, replacing an aging splitter and securing coax connections is a standard first-line fix before escalating to ISP line testing or modem replacement.
- A. Correct.
This is the correct answer. Cable modems rely on a clean coaxial signal path, and a poor-quality, damaged, or outdated splitter can introduce signal loss and intermittent connectivity. Using a splitter rated appropriately for broadband/cable frequencies and ensuring F-type connectors are properly tightened is a practical first step. In real environments, movement around a wiring closet can loosen coax connections or expose a weak splitter.
- B. Incorrect.
This is incorrect. HDMI is used for audio/video connections between devices such as TVs and media players, not for cable internet service from an ISP. Although both can carry digital information, they are not interchangeable media types and use entirely different signaling and connector standards.
- C. Incorrect.
This is incorrect. Coaxial cable used for cable internet cannot simply be converted into Ethernet by attaching RJ-45 adapters. Ethernet over twisted pair and DOCSIS/cable service over coax are different physical and signaling technologies. A modem is required to bridge the ISP's coaxial connection to an Ethernet network.
- D. Incorrect.
This is incorrect. Adding another splitter usually increases insertion loss and can further degrade the modem's signal levels. While splitters are sometimes necessary, adding more splitting is generally not the first troubleshooting step when a cable modem is already experiencing intermittent sync loss.