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FC0-U71 Setting up a new branch office Practice Question
A company is setting up a new branch office. The network administrator needs to connect 20 computers and 2 network printers to the local network. The branch also needs a connection to the internet via a cable modem. The administrator has a 24-port switch and a wireless router. The cable modem is already provided by the ISP. Which configuration should the administrator use?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse the roles of a switch and a router, assuming a switch can provide internet access to multiple devices directly from a modem, when in fact a router is required for NAT and IP address sharing.
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
✓
Connect the cable modem to the wireless router's WAN port, then connect the switch to one of the router's LAN ports, and connect all devices to the switch
The wireless router must be placed between the cable modem and the switch to perform Network Address Translation (NAT) and routing. The cable modem connects to the router's WAN port, which obtains a public IP from the ISP. The router then provides private IP addresses via DHCP to the switch and all connected devices, enabling internet access for the 20 computers and 2 printers through a single public IP.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Connect the cable modem to the wireless router's WAN port, then connect the switch to one of the router's LAN ports, and connect all devices to the switch
Why this is correct
The router performs NAT and DHCP for the LAN, so the modem connects to its WAN port for internet access. The 24-port switch uplinks to a router LAN port, providing enough ports for 20 computers and 2 printers, which the router alone cannot accommodate.
- ✗
Connect the cable modem to the switch, and then connect the wireless router to the switch using its WAN port
Why it's wrong here
The wireless router's WAN port expects an upstream internet link, so connecting it to the switch places the router behind the LAN rather than between the modem and the LAN, leaving no device performing NAT for the hosts. It is tempting because the router is present, but its WAN interface must face the cable modem.
- ✗
Connect the cable modem directly to the switch, then connect all devices to the switch
Why it's wrong here
A cable modem hands a single public IP to whatever connects to it, so attaching it to the switch gives one device that address while the remaining hosts have no routing or NAT to reach the internet. It is tempting because the switch has enough ports for every device, but a router must sit between modem and LAN.
- ✗
Connect the cable modem to one computer, then bridge that computer's network connection to the switch
Why it's wrong here
Bridging a PC's connection shares that single host's interface, so the branch depends on one machine staying powered and configured, and the switch still lacks a routed path to the modem. It is tempting as a software workaround when no router is spare, but the wireless router already provides the required NAT and DHCP.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This FC0-U71 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 FC0-U71 exam.