220-1102 Question 314
Single answerBadge readerA company uses badge readers to control access to its server room. Several employees report that the door reader powers on and shows a ready light, but it intermittently denies access to valid badges during busy shift changes. The badge system works normally at other doors, and affected users can still enter using the same badges at a side entrance. Which of the following is the BEST next step for the technician to take?
- A
Inspect the server room badge reader and its connection to the access control system for a local hardware or wiring issue
- B
Immediately deactivate all employee badges and reissue new badges to every user
- C
Replace the electronic door strike because valid badges are being rejected
- D
Reset user passwords in Active Directory because badge access commonly depends on domain credentials
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The key clue is scope. The same users and badges succeed at a different entrance, which strongly suggests the badges are programmed correctly and the users still have access rights. Since only one badge reader is intermittently failing, the best troubleshooting step is to examine that door's reader hardware, wiring, controller link, and local power or interference conditions. In physical security and access control troubleshooting, best practice is to isolate whether the issue is with the credential, the reader, the door controller, or the central management system before making broad changes. This aligns with CompTIA A+ Core 2 troubleshooting methodology: confirm the problem, establish a theory, test the theory, and start with the most likely and least disruptive fix.
- A. Correct.
Correct. Because the same badges work at another entrance, the badges and user permissions are likely valid. The problem is isolated to one door, so the most appropriate next step is to inspect that specific badge reader, its power, cabling, controller connection, or local configuration. This follows standard troubleshooting methodology: identify what changed, determine scope, and test the most likely fault domain first.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Reissuing all badges is excessive and does not fit the evidence. Since the affected badges work at another door, the credentials themselves are not the primary issue. This option reflects a common mistake of treating a localized hardware problem as a system-wide identity problem.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A door strike controls whether the door physically unlocks after authorization, but the scenario says the reader is denying access to valid badges. That points to a reader, controller, or communication issue rather than the locking mechanism itself. Someone might choose this if they confuse a failure to unlock with a failure to authenticate.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Badge reader systems may integrate with directory services in some environments, but the scenario provides no indication of an account or authentication backend issue. If domain credentials were the problem, users would likely fail at multiple doors, not just one specific reader. This distractor targets the misconception that all access-control failures are caused by directory account problems.