N10-005 Question #319: Real Exam Question with Answer & Explanation

The correct answer is C: Split cable. A split cable (sometimes called a 'home run' or 'half cable') is a cable run that physically contains only 4 conductors instead of the full 8. It uses only the two pairs needed for 100BaseT (pins 1, 2, 3, and 6), leaving pins 4, 5, 7, and 8 absent. Because re-terminating both end

Question

A user's network connection is slow. After testing the cabling, the cable tester shows that only pins 1, 2, 3 and 6 are being used. After accurately terminating both ends, the tester displays the same results. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?

Options

ADB loss on the cable
BInterference
CSplit cable
DDistance limitations

Explanation

A split cable (sometimes called a 'home run' or 'half cable') is a cable run that physically contains only 4 conductors instead of the full 8. It uses only the two pairs needed for 100BaseT (pins 1, 2, 3, and 6), leaving pins 4, 5, 7, and 8 absent. Because re-terminating both ends still shows the same 4-pin result, the issue is within the cable itself-not the connectors. This configuration limits the link to 100 Mbps and prevents Gigabit Ethernet (which requires all 4 pairs). DB loss (choice A) would cause signal attenuation, not missing pins. Interference (choice B) would cause errors, not missing conductors. Distance limitations (choice D) cause signal degradation, not a reduced pin count.

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