220-801 · Question #733
Which of the following describes the function of a switch in a network?
The correct answer is A. Transmits packets it receives to specific connections. A switch is a Layer 2 device that learns MAC addresses and forwards frames only to the specific port where the destination device resides.
Question
Which of the following describes the function of a switch in a network?
Options
- ATransmits packets it receives to specific connections
- BConverts a packet for transmission from one network to another network
- CDetermines whether a packet belongs on an internal or external network
- DBroadcasts packets it receives to all connections
How the community answered
(50 responses)- A94% (47)
- B2% (1)
- C4% (2)
Why each option
A switch is a Layer 2 device that learns MAC addresses and forwards frames only to the specific port where the destination device resides.
Switches maintain a MAC address table by inspecting the source MAC of each incoming frame; when a frame arrives, the switch looks up the destination MAC and forwards it only to the matching port, reducing unnecessary traffic compared to a hub.
Converting packets for transmission between different networks is a router function operating at OSI Layer 3, not a switch function.
Determining whether a packet belongs on an internal or external network is a router or firewall function, not a Layer 2 switch function.
Broadcasting to all connections describes a hub, which lacks a MAC address table and has no ability to direct traffic selectively.
Concept tested: Switch MAC address table selective forwarding
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