This FC0-U61 practice question tests your understanding of it concepts and terminology. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A technician is setting up a small office network. Which device should be used to connect multiple computers and allow them to communicate with each other?
Router
Why wrong: A router is used to connect different networks, not primarily to connect local devices.
Modem
Why wrong: A modem connects to the ISP, not for local device interconnection.
Switch
A switch connects devices on a local network and forwards frames based on MAC addresses.
Hub
Why wrong: A hub is outdated and broadcasts to all ports, less efficient than a switch.
Answer choices
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 operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model and uses MAC addresses to forward frames only to the specific port where the destination device is connected. This allows multiple computers on the same local network to communicate directly with each other without unnecessary traffic, making it the correct device for interconnecting computers in a small office LAN.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Router
Why it's wrong here
A router is used to connect different networks, not primarily to connect local devices.
Modem
Why it's wrong here
A modem connects to the ISP, not for local device interconnection.
Switch
Why this is correct
A switch connects devices on a local network and forwards frames based on MAC addresses.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Hub
Why it's wrong here
A hub is outdated and broadcasts to all ports, less efficient than a switch.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse a switch with a hub because both have multiple ports and connect computers, but the key distinction is that a switch uses MAC address learning and forwarding logic (Layer 2) while a hub is a simple electrical repeater (Layer 1).
Detailed technical explanation
Switches maintain a MAC address table (CAM table) by learning the source MAC addresses of incoming frames and associating them with the ingress port. When a frame arrives with a destination MAC not yet in the table, the switch floods it out all ports except the ingress port (unknown unicast flooding), but once learned, subsequent frames are forwarded only to the correct port. In a small office, using a switch instead of a hub eliminates collisions and allows full-duplex communication, effectively doubling throughput per link.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
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FAQ
IT Concepts and Terminology — This question tests IT Concepts and Terminology — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Switch — A switch operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model and uses MAC addresses to forward frames only to the specific port where the destination device is connected. This allows multiple computers on the same local network to communicate directly with each other without unnecessary traffic, making it the correct device for interconnecting computers in a small office LAN.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This FC0-U61 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-U61 exam.
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