CompTIA Network+ (N10-009)Networking ConceptsMedium
A content delivery network (CDN) provider assigns the same IP address to multiple geographically distributed servers so that user requests are automatically routed to the nearest server based on network topology. Which traffic type does this describe?
- AAnycast
- BUnicast
- CBroadcast
- DMulticast
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Anycast
Anycast allows multiple servers to share the same IP address, with routing protocols directing traffic to the topologically nearest instance, which is commonly used by CDNs and DNS root servers.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Unicast is a one-to-one communication between a single sender and single receiver, not shared addressing.
- C. Broadcast sends traffic to all devices on a local network segment, not to a specific nearest server.
- D. Multicast sends traffic to a specific group of subscribed devices, not based on proximity.
Anycast
Anycast is an addressing method where multiple servers share the same IP address, and routing directs traffic to the nearest or best-performing instance.
- Multiple servers share one IP address
- Routing protocols select nearest instance
- Used by CDNs and DNS root server infrastructure
Memory trick: Anycast = 'Any nearby server will do' - closest wins.