FC0-U71 Tech Concepts and Terminology Practice Question
A technician is documenting the physical networking hardware in a small office wiring closet and needs to distinguish devices that forward data between network segments from devices that only regenerate signals. Which TWO of the following devices actively forward frames or packets between network segments? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is grouping all wiring-closet hardware together, when passive components such as patch panels and simple repeaters never inspect addresses or forward frames selectively.
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
Switches and routers both inspect addressing information and make forwarding decisions, with switches operating on MAC addresses within a local network and routers operating on IP addresses between networks. Hubs, media converters, and patch panels lack that decision-making logic, either repeating signals, translating media, or simply organizing cabling.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Media converter
Why it's wrong here
A media converter changes the physical transmission medium, for example from copper Ethernet to fiber optic, while passing the same signal along. It performs a physical-layer translation and does not inspect addresses or build forwarding tables. Because it does not make decisions about where frames should go, it is not a segment-forwarding device in the sense the technician is documenting.
- ✗
Hub
Why it's wrong here
A hub is a legacy device that simply repeats incoming electrical signals out every other port without examining addresses. All connected devices share one collision domain, so traffic is broadcast indiscriminately and collisions are common. It does not learn addresses or forward frames selectively between segments, so it does not belong in the category the technician is documenting.
- ✓
Switch
Why this is correct
A switch is an intelligent device that learns the MAC addresses of connected devices and forwards frames only out the port where the destination device resides, which segments collision domains and reduces unnecessary traffic. It actively makes forwarding decisions based on its address table, so it belongs in the category of devices that move data between segments rather than merely repeating electrical signals.
- ✗
Patch panel
Why it's wrong here
A patch panel is a passive piece of structured cabling hardware that provides organized termination points for permanent horizontal runs and allows short patch cords to connect them to switches. It contains no electronics, no power, and no logic for examining or forwarding traffic. It is purely a cabling management component, so it cannot forward frames between network segments.
- ✓
Router
Why this is correct
A router connects separate networks and forwards packets between them by examining IP addresses and consulting a routing table. It is the device that joins a local network to the internet or to other subnets and can apply access control and address translation. Because it makes deliberate forwarding decisions between distinct networks, it qualifies as a segment-forwarding device.
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
Go deeper
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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.