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Difficulty: MediumNetwork Hardware Devices

An IT technician is installing networking equipment for an office expansion containing two separate departments configured on distinct IP subnets. The technician must connect the two subnets so that network traffic can be inspected and forwarded based on destination IP addresses while keeping broadcast domains isolated. Which of the following network hardware devices should the technician deploy to enable communication between these subnets?

  1. RouterAnswer
  2. B
    Unmanaged Layer 2 Switch
  3. C
    DHCP Server Appliance
  4. D
    Passive Patch Panel

Answer

A router is required to interconnect distinct IP subnets and route network packets based on IP header information.
A router is a Layer 3 network hardware device specifically designed to route data packets between different IP networks and subnets. It inspects destination IP addresses and determines the appropriate path while isolating Layer 2 broadcast traffic within each individual network segment.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the network layer requirement from the scenario.
The scenario requires connecting two separate IP subnets and isolating broadcast domains.
Communication across different IP subnets requires logical network-layer address processing (Layer 3).
2
Evaluate the functional capabilities of candidate hardware devices.
Routers process Layer 3 IP headers and maintain routing tables to forward traffic between distinct network segments.
Layer 2 switches only process Layer 2 MAC addresses within a single subnet and forward broadcast frames to all ports.
3
Select the hardware device that meets all criteria.
Deploying a router fulfills inter-subnet routing and broadcast isolation requirements.
Routers form the boundary between separate subnets and block Layer 2 broadcast traffic from crossing network segments.

Key Concept

Layer 3 Device Roles and Subnet Boundaries
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Topics

Network Hardware Devices

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