mediumMultiple Choice
FC0-U71 Practice Question: A small business wants to set up a local network…
A small business wants to set up a local network with internet access. They have a modem from the ISP and need to share the connection among five computers. Which device should they use to connect all computers to the modem and manage traffic?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is that a switch can handle local traffic efficiently, but candidates often overlook that internet sharing requires a router to perform NAT between the private LAN and the public internet. Without a router, the modem alone cannot assign private IP addresses or translate traffic for multiple computers.
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
✓
Router
A router is the correct device because it connects the local network to the internet via the modem and performs Network Address Translation (NAT) to allow multiple computers to share a single public IP address. It also manages traffic between the LAN and WAN and provides basic firewall protection. A switch alone cannot perform these functions; it only forwards frames within the same network segment.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Router
Why this is correct
A router forwards traffic between the local network and the ISP modem, performing NAT so five computers share one public address, and handles DHCP and basic traffic management. A switch alone cannot route to the modem or manage the internet connection.
- ✗
Hub
Why it's wrong here
A hub repeats incoming frames out of every other port at Layer 1, creating one collision domain and offering no routing, NAT or DHCP, so it cannot share a modem connection. It would be correct for cheaply connecting devices in a legacy segment, but the scenario needs a router.
- ✗
Bridge
Why it's wrong here
A bridge forwards frames between network segments at Layer 2 and does not perform routing, NAT or DHCP, so five computers cannot share one modem connection through it. It would be correct for joining two segments into one broadcast domain, but sharing an ISP connection requires a router.
- ✗
Switch
Why it's wrong here
A switch forwards frames within one subnet using MAC addresses, but it cannot perform NAT or hand out DHCP leases to share a single ISP connection. It is tempting because switches do connect multiple wired devices, and would be correct for expanding ports behind an existing router.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every FC0-U71 question from scratch — 988 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on FC0-U71
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A user is troubleshooting a slow internet connection and has verified that the modem is working. The user suspects that the router is causing the issue. Which TWO of the following functions are typically performed by a home router? (Select TWO.)
medium- A.Translates domain names to IP addresses
- ✓ B.Assigns IP addresses via DHCP
- C.Amplifies wireless signal
- ✓ D.Performs NAT
- E.Converts ISP signal to digital
Why B: Option B is correct because a home router typically runs a DHCP server that automatically assigns private IP addresses, subnet masks, default gateway, and DNS settings to devices on the LAN. Option D is correct because a home router performs Network Address Translation (NAT), mapping multiple private LAN addresses to the single public IP address provided by the ISP so internal hosts can share the internet connection. Option A is not a router function; DNS name-to-IP resolution is handled by DNS servers (often the ISP's or a public resolver like 8.8.8.8), though a router may merely forward DNS queries. Option C is incorrect because signal amplification is the role of a wireless access point, range extender, or repeater, not a defining router function. Option E is incorrect because converting the ISP's signal (e.g., coax, DSL, or fiber) into digital Ethernet is the modem's job, which the user already verified is working.
Variation 2. Which of the following is the primary function of a router in a home network?
easy- A.Converts ISP signal to digital
- B.Assigns IP addresses to devices
- C.Provides wireless connectivity only
- ✓ D.Connects the home network to the internet
Why D: A router's primary function is to connect the home network to the internet by routing packets between the local network and the ISP's network, performing NAT and forwarding traffic based on IP addresses. It is the gateway device that sits at the boundary between the LAN and the WAN. While many home routers also include a switch, wireless AP, and DHCP server, those are secondary functions.
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.