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220-1201 Practice Question: A small office uses a single router with four LAN…
A small office uses a single router with four LAN ports. The manager wants to connect 12 wired devices and ensure they can all communicate with each other without purchasing a new router. Which network device should be added to the existing setup?
⚠ Common exam trap
The A+ exam often tests the distinction between hubs and switches by presenting a scenario where a device is needed to increase the number of ports, and candidates mistakenly choose a hub because they think it is cheaper or simpler, ignoring the collision and performance issues that make a switch the only viable solution for more than a few devices.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Switch
A switch is the correct device because it operates at Layer 2 (Data Link layer) of the OSI model, using MAC addresses to forward frames only to the specific port where the destination device is connected. This allows the existing router to remain the gateway for internet access while the switch expands the number of available Ethernet ports, enabling all 12 wired devices to communicate within the same local network without purchasing a new router.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Hub
Why it's wrong here
A hub operates at Layer 1 (physical layer) and functions as a multi-port repeater, broadcasting all incoming data frames to every other connected port. This creates a single collision domain across all devices, leading to frequent data collisions, reduced network efficiency, and significantly slower speeds, especially as more devices (like 12) are added. It does not intelligently manage traffic, making it unsuitable for expanding a modern LAN.
- ✗
Router
Why it's wrong here
A router operates at Layer 3 (network layer) and is primarily used to connect different networks or subnets, forwarding packets between them based on IP addresses. Introducing a second router to simply add more ports for local devices would unnecessarily segment the existing LAN into a new subnet, complicating network management and requiring complex routing configurations for devices to communicate across subnets. Its function is not merely to provide additional physical connections within a single local network.
- ✓
Switch
Why this is correct
A switch operates at Layer 2 (data link layer) and intelligently forwards data frames to their specific destination port based on the MAC address learned and stored in its Content Addressable Memory (CAM) table. This creates separate collision domains for each port, allowing for full-duplex communication and significantly improving network performance and efficiency by preventing unnecessary traffic broadcasts. It is the ideal device for expanding the number of available Ethernet ports within a single local area network without segmenting it.
- ✗
Repeater
Why it's wrong here
A repeater operates at Layer 1 (physical layer) and serves to regenerate and amplify a network signal to extend its maximum transmission distance, overcoming signal attenuation over long cable runs. While it strengthens the signal, it does not provide additional physical ports for connecting new devices nor does it perform any traffic management or intelligent forwarding. Its sole purpose is range extension, not network expansion or device connectivity.
Quick reference
OSI Model Reference
| Layer | Name | PDU | Key Protocols / Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Application | Data | HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, SMTP, FTP, SSH |
| 6 | Presentation | Data | TLS / SSL, JPEG, ASCII encoding |
| 5 | Session | Data | NetBIOS, RPC, SIP |
| 4 | Transport | Segment / Datagram | TCP, UDP |
| 3 | Network | Packet | IP, ICMP, OSPF — Routers |
| 2 | Data Link | Frame | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, PPP — Switches, Bridges |
| 1 | Physical | Bits | Cables, NICs, Hubs, Repeaters |
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.