Cisco CCNA (200-301)Network FundamentalsEasy
A technician is designing a small office network. Two departments are on separate IP subnets, and the technician needs a device that can forward packets between these subnets based on the destination IP address. Which device should be used?
- ALayer 2 switch
- BUnmanaged hub
- CRouter
- DWireless access point
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Router
Routers operate at Layer 3 and make forwarding decisions using destination IP addresses, allowing them to route traffic between different subnets/networks. Layer 2 switches, APs, and hubs cannot route between IP subnets.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Layer 2 switches forward based on MAC addresses within the same broadcast domain.
- B. Hubs are Layer 1 devices with no addressing intelligence.
- D. APs bridge wireless clients to the wired LAN but do not route between subnets.
Router (Layer 3 Forwarding)
A router is a network device that forwards packets between different IP networks using destination IP address and a routing table.
- Operates at Layer 3 (Network layer)
- Separates broadcast domains
- Uses routing table/protocols to choose best path
Memory trick: Routers Route between networks, Switches Switch within one.